The new Maple Leafs: What you need to know about Toronto’s eight draft picks…
LAS VEGAS—The Maple Leafs made eight picks over the two days of the NHL draft and took four defencemen. None of them small.
“I think we know what (GM Brad Treliving) likes,” said Wes Clark, the Maple Leafs director of amateur scouting. “So try to execute.”
Here are the players who now count themselves as Maple Leafs prospects.
Ben Danford
No. 31. Right-handed defenceman
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed defenceman’s game was on the upswing all year, and got better in the playoffs with Oshawa when he had four goals and six assists in 21 games. “Something that jumped out for him were his offensive instincts,” Clark said. “He’s got to keep getting better, but compound that to what he does well and he’s got real upside.
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The new Maple Leafs: What you need to know about Toronto’s eight draft picks
Half of them are defenceman. And
Ben Danford is welcomed into the Maple Leafs organization after being picked 31st in the NHL draft Friday night.
By Kevin McGranSports Reporter
LAS VEGAS—The Maple Leafs made eight picks over the two days of the NHL draft and took four defencemen. None of them small.
“I think we know what (GM Brad Treliving) likes,” said Wes Clark, the Maple Leafs director of amateur scouting. “So try to execute.”
Here are the players who now count themselves as Maple Leafs prospects.
Ben Danford
No. 31. Right-handed defenceman
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed defenceman’s game was on the upswing all year, and got better in the playoffs with Oshawa when he had four goals and six assists in 21 games. “Something that jumped out for him were his offensive instincts,” Clark said. “He’s got to keep getting better, but compound that to what he does well and he’s got real upside.
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Victor Johansson
No. 120. Left-handed defenceman
Johansson is six-foot-one but listed at only 143 pounds. The mobile defenceman had two goals, six assists in 34 games last year with Leksands IF Jr. “What we like about Victor is he’s early in his development curve,” said Clark. “Strong intelligence, strong competitiveness, and excellent defensive instincts.” His father, Thomas, represented Sweden internationally. His cousin, Alexander Wennberg, plays for the New York Rangers.
Miroslav Holinka
No. 151. Centre
The six-foot-one Czech centre is a right-handed shot. “He can zip the puck. We really like his intelligence,” said Clark. Holinka, who has represented Czechia internationally, had 20 goals in 29 games in Czechia’s junior league. He has been drafted by the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL and is expected to play there this year.
Alexander Plesovskikh
Plays left, but shoots right. Described as an energetic playmaker. He’s represented Russia internationally, and had 17 points in 33 games with the Mammoths of Ugra in Russia’s VHL, a tier below the KHL. He’ll join Spartak next season. “Two way game, competitive,” said Clark. “Our European scouts were really high on him.”
A six-foot-four goalie from Russia’s famed Red Army. He has represented Russia since he was 13. He had a .921 save percentage in 16 games in the MHL last year, Russia’s top junior league. He’s the third Russian goalie the Leafs have chosen since 2020. “Seems like that’s the trend,” said Clark.
Matt Lahey
No. 200. Defenceman
The six-foot-five defenceman from Victoria played for the Nanaimo Clippers of the Tier 2 BCHL. He’s going to play in Fargo of the USHL next season. “Really strong defensively, very physical,” said Clark. “We’ll see how that goes. A long-term play.”
