Each Wednesday, I will feature a top prospect eligible for the upcoming 2015 NHL Draft and explain how he would fit into the Toronto Maple Leafs Draft plans.
I understand that with the Leafs picking 4th overall, one of American defence man Noah Hanifin, London Knights centre Mitchell Marner or Erie Otters centre Dylan Strome will be available. If Shanahan and company decide to go with a centre, which they should, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to trade back into the top-10 in order to snag a top defence man.
The only defencemen the Leafs have on their roster now that will make an impact in the future are Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner (if he isn’t moved), and maybe one of Stuart Percy, Matt Finn and Viktor Loov – who are currently playing for the Marlies and will likely only develop into a top six defence man.