Amirov Forever
Joined: Mar. 2022
Posts: 6,693
Likes: 6,140
I know Leafs nation is praying for a defenseman, but I truly think a center is the way to go in this draft. There are so many excellent defenseman that project to go later in the draft (Noel Fransen 👀). Even a trade back for someone like Pulkkinen would be extremely savvy for us.
I'd love to see this team draft Michael Hage. He checks all of the boxes to be a "Wes Clark Prospect™️", and would be our long term 2C. I don't really think Minten is a lock for that role. Hage at ~23 would be one of the drafts biggest steals.
If we do go for a defenseman, Elick is a good albeit slightly boring pick. He'll be a good defenseman and I'd be pumped to see him on the Leafs, but I think there will always be a "what if the Leafs got Hage" narrative. I also really like the idea of getting a guy like Emery, but I don't think he goes in the early 20s. Regardless, there are a lot of super solid choices for us. Excited to see who we get