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Toronto Maple Leafs Prospect Traded Following Breakout Season
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Sam McCue showed out in the OHL last season; however, the left-winger has been traded for a third time in two years.
Sam McCue was the 216th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The Maple Leafs took him in the seventh round, knowing that he would be a bit of a project.
Last season, McCue split his time between the Owen Sound Attack and the Flint Firebirds. Although the season prior, he split his time between the Peterborough Petes and the Attack.
He has gone through a lot of movement in just a couple of seasons. However, he has been traded again, this time to the Brantford Bulldogs.
Sam McCue goes to the Brantford Bulldogs
This information was reported by Jeff Marek, who always seems to have the inside scoop whenever it comes to matters pertaining to junior hockey.
Steven Ellis of The Daily Faceoff gave a scouting report on McCue at the beginning of last season that showcased just how much better he has gotten.
In fact, last season, McCue had 36 goals and 55 points in 55 games, which is great compared to his 37 points in 68 games last season.
He never stops moving and works as hard as anyone to try and snag the puck, even if his skating is a bit wonky right now. McCue can surely move, but he's not the quickest and can be a bit awkward trying to control the puck on the rush. And without much in terms of hands, McCue isn't going to blow you away with a smart deke on a 1-on-1 play.
Compared to his rookie year, where he spent most of his time playing to the perimeter, McCue seemed to find himself in more scoring positions this past year. He'll never be seen as someone capable of ripping clapbombs from just about everywhere, but McCue can and will fight to the death in front of the net to pot home a rebound or take space away. McCue loves when things get physical, and that might be where he succeeds the most because he's willing to rough guys up just about anywhere.
Compared to his rookie year, where he spent most of his time playing to the perimeter, McCue seemed to find himself in more scoring positions this past year. He'll never be seen as someone capable of ripping clapbombs from just about everywhere, but McCue can and will fight to the death in front of the net to pot home a rebound or take space away. McCue loves when things get physical, and that might be where he succeeds the most because he's willing to rough guys up just about anywhere.
At this time, it remains to be seen what will become of McCue with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.
The seventh-round pick has a lot of developing to do, especially at the age of 19. However, his final season in the OHL will be telling.
Hopefully, he can stick with the Bulldogs all season long and have himself a big season.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 3 | 334 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs Prospect Traded Following Breakout Season Do you believe Sam McCue has a bright future ahead with the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| YES | 204 | 61.1 % |
| NO | 130 | 38.9 % |
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