The newest Maple Leafs

[The-Insider]

First, some general observations. Approximately half of the new Leafs are HUGE and this continues a trend that really started at last season's draft. Not a single player was drafted from Europe this year, which might be an indication that Mr. Burke thinks that the current roster is a bit out of whack in that respect. More specifically, the majority of our 2009 draftees are Americans, perhaps reflecting Burke's deep knowledge of the US hockey system.

Here are the newest Maple Leafs :

Nazem Kadri

2009 / 2010 Team : London Knights (OHL)

Position : Centre (can also play Right Wing)

5’11” 170 lbs.

“Kadri was electric in London’s long playoff run and was often their best player… He’s a constant threat in transition and given his two-step quickness, he creates a lot of chances off the rush… He’s a frustrating player to play against and can draw penalties as a result of his work ethic… His puck control and vision are exemplary… Kadri has all the tools of developing into a dynamic offensive weapon.”

Pretty good return on this pick… Kadri should anchor the top line for years … at worst will he be a solid second liner.

Kenny Ryan

2009 / 2010 Team : Boston College (NCAA)

Position : Right Wing

6’0” 205 lbs.

“An offensive work-horse… Ryan is committed to Boston College next season... Ryan may not be the flashiest player but he is a gifted natural goalscorer with a sniper’s instincts… Ryan does not possess elite vision when distributing the puck but his finishing skills make up for his dormant playmaking skills… His shot is both hard and accurate and he has the ability to fire in mid-flight… His skating is average but complemented well by his non-stop motor… His work ethic and natural scoring could see Ryan as a late first round pick.”

Real good value for this pick… many draft services had him rated closer to 30th than 50th overall… will be a team mate of 2008 draftee Jimmy Hayes next season.

Jesse Blacker

2009 / 2010 Team : Windsor (OHL)

Position : Defense

6’1” 190 lbs.

“He shows good potential as an offensive defenseman and will likely have a breakout campaign next season… His mobility is a work in progress, especially his lateral and backwards skating… His defensive play will need to improve as he tends to stop moving his feet and make poor reads… Blacker’s offensive potential is burgeoning and he has shown the ability to create when given the chance.”

Depends on your point of view here… Blacker is either a defensively challenged defenseman whose shortcomings were masked by being on an excellent team or an emerging player who will grab the spotlight now that several of his Spitfire team mates are moving on... Several knowledgeable writers (including Bob McKenzie) apparently loved this pick.

Jamie Devane

2009 / 2010 Team : Plymouth (OHL)

Position : Left Wing

6’5” 215 lbs.

“Burgeoning pugilist.”

Truculence personified… I can only assume that he will play a larger role on the 2009/2010 Whalers because 3rd rounders have to do more than scrap... Jamie spent quite a lot of time standing in front of the goal during man advantages this season but it clearly didn’t inflate his scoring totals very much.

Eric Knodel

2009 / 2010 Team : Des Moines (USHL)

Position : Defense

6’6” 216 lbs.

“Friendly giant.”

The Leafs really went off the board here and that’s not necessarily a bad thing… there is some sentiment that Eric might have been rated and drafted much higher if he had played in a Junior league rather than for his high school team… Eric aspires to play in the College ranks after next season so he’s very much a long term prospect… athletes who can actually play the game at 6’6” are still rather rare so a little patience might be in order here.

Jerry D’Amigo

2009 / 2010 Team : RPI (NCAA)

Position : Right Wing

5’10” 196 lbs.

“A standout with the American entry at the 2009 Under-18 tourney… Good skating ability and very solid physically, though not very tall… Uses his thick body well to shield the puck on the attack and to win it on the fore-check… A natural scorer who plays hard and isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty… will play collegiate hockey next season.”

Another good value pick… McKeen’s had this player rated up at number 84 overall… his scouting report is very similar to another winger who is rapidly rising through the Leafs’ system – recent Memorial Cup Champ Dale Mitchell.

Barron Smith

2009 / 2010 Team : Peterborough (OHL)

Position : Defense

6’5” 205 lbs.

“Son of former NHLer Steve Smith… Stay at home defender with excellent reach (obviously) but limited mobility… Willingly protects smaller team mates and isn’t afraid to drop the mitts when provoked… First OHL scrap was with potential future team mate Jamie Devane.”

Big tough defender with very limited offensive upside… Barron’s future will depend largely on his ability to grow into his body and to become adequately mobile and sound positionally… Steve Smith was a very good NHL defender so the bloodlines are promising in any case.

[Crowned]

What an utter disaster. The majority of our picks is a joke. I like Kadri and Ryan (I haven't seen enough of Blacker)...but I'm beyond angry about everyone else...especially Devane.

[TR50]

Kadri and Ryan seem pretty solid....whats Ryans upside? Considering Kadri is a good solid playmaker with good-to-elite vision and Ryan being a solid finisher....they'd be a good pairing no?

[bryant08]

I'm not too disappointed with the picks themselves, but I didn't really want any of these guys specifically. I'm not going to judge yet, but I'd say our counter parts in Montreal and Ottawa took more well known prospects in the later rounds, which just ticks me off. But Burke went with size, and potential in this draft. He didn't go with the safe picks anywhere here, he tooks players with high ceilings, yet a lower chance to reach them.

For us to have a successful draft, I'd say 3 or 4 of these guys need to be future solid NHLers, and Kadri a top 6 forward with 40+ assists a year. If I had to bet on it, I'd say Kadri, Ryan, Blacker and D'Amigo probably will be NHLers, with D'Amigo obviously being the wild card. But I don't care for now, we're keeping our draft picks and accumulating solid prospects. On offense, we've got Jimmy Hayes, D'Amigo, Kadri, Tlusty, Kulemin, Stefanovich, Bozak, Hanson and Dale Mitchell as guys who are possible NHLers for me. I see Kadri, Tlusty, Kulemin as guaranteed top 9 players at worst, and top 6 players at best. Then you look at Bozak/Hanson who I'm not sure of yet, but I'd say Bozak likely a top 6 forward and Hanson a top 9. Then you look at the hit and miss guys in Hayes, D'Amigo, Stefanovich and Mitchell. Even if they don't live up to the bill, we've got depth. It may not be the kind of championship depth we want to accomplish down the road, but it's a start.

Then you look on defense, with Luke Schenn, Ian White, Anton Stralman and possibly a few others (guys like Mikus, our draftees today, Vorobiev?). I still want to work on our defensive prospects, but we definitely have time. In net, hopefully Gustavsson (which would explain not taking any goalies) and I'd still like to keep Pogge if possible. The Leafs are doing things the right way at least, and with our cap flexibility, we have options, which is the best we can hope for at the moment. Going forward though, it would be really nice to have a top prospect (Taylor Hall ?) of the franchise player calibre to build around and compliment with FA signings/other draft picks/new acquisitions.