2009 NHL Draft: Toronto Maple Leafs Picks Recap

by PPP on Jun 27, 2009 1:50 PM EDT in News Comment 13 comments

Time to re-load for July 1

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made their final pick of the 2009 NHL Draft. Here's what has been added to the Leafs' cupboard:

7th Overall - 1st Round: Nazem Kadri, London Knights, OHL (Hockey's Future)

Once projected as a sure-fire top-10 selection, Kadri's draft status dropped significantly during the regular season, but began to climb back with a strong playoff performance. Offensively gifted and showing a greater appreciation for the defensive side of his game, Kadri could be a wild card in this draft. Teams picking in the latter-half of the lottery may look to scoop him up based on his offensive potential. However, he could just as easily slide into the high teens, early 20s based upon questionable scouting and combine results.

50th overall - 2nd Round: Kenny Ryan, US National Team Development Program U18 (The Hockey Writers)

His childhood hockey idol was Darren McCarty because “he played with so much energy and grit”, which tells you something about Ryan’s work ethic. NHL Central Scouting’s Gary Eggleston stated “Ryan is a solid skater who is strong on his skates, has good balance and his hard to knock off his feet. Has good overall speed and works hard in all zones. He is strong in the corners, is aware of defensive responsibilities and backchecks well. Ryan plays a rugged two-way game.” Ryan has good anticipation of how the play will develop. He is definitely more of a shooter than playmaker.

58th Overall - 2nd Round: Jesses Blacker, Windsor Spitfires, OHL (Hockey's Future)

Blacker was solid throughout the 2008-09 season, playing a positionally sound game, which helped him make smart defensive plays. He rarely was caught out of position and did not resort to taking reactionary penalties. Has the size to be a solid NHL defenseman, but his overall game could still use some work.

68th Overall - 3rd Round: Jamie Devane, Plymouth Whalers, OHL (HockeyFights)

No write-up but a lot of videos of him scrapping are available here.

128th Overall - 5th Round: Eric Knodel, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers USMAAA

This guy has a blog. I'm trying to see if I can find out some more about him.

158th Overall - 6th Round: Jerry D'Amigo, US National Team Development Program U18

I have some audio to upload so I'll have more to come on this guy

188th Overall - 7th Round: Barron Smith, Peterborough Petes, OHL (HFBoards)

Barron Smith's father is former Edmonton Oilers great Steve Smith. Secondly, [he was] playing in [his] first season in the OHL with a fair amount of hype after playing previously in the United States. And lastly, [he] disappointed in [his] play this season...was [not] billed as the second coming of Bryan Fogarty, the fact that [he was] able to make such a small impact on the ice is alarming.Smith was unable to play his way on to a deep London blueline and was eventually traded to Peterborough (as part of the Trevor Cann deal). While [his] bloodline may still get [him] drafted, there is no question that [he] will go a lot lower than [he] would have if [had] had [a] stronger season.

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Upon further review

Not bad for Burke’s first draft. I can’t wait to see what these kids can do.

by thisisrobster on Jun 27, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

1. The Monster signs with us.
2. We trade with Ottawa- we take Heatley and Cowen, they get our next year 1st round and Kaberle.
3. We immediately trade Heatley to the Kings with Kubina and a prospect and pick while offering to keep part of Heatley’s cap hit on our books, and take Jack Johnson, Brayden Schenn and the Kings 1st rounder next year.
4. Wrap comes off suicide watch.
5. DGB smiles again and returns to exceed his previous highs in comedy.
6. Jared happily mutates into the Canadian Hulk and tears down the Bell Centre singlehanded.
7. All of LeafNation spontaneously celebrates, angels sing, dogs and cats live together, etc.
7.

"We've had an ongoing problem with Grabovski this year." Bob Gainey, 4/04/09

by kidkawartha on Jun 27, 2009 2:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

8. Luke Schenn — thrilled to finally be reunited with his brother — goes on to have a record breaking season, winning the Norris, Art Ross, Hart, Vezina, and Conn Smythe trophies on the way to leading the Leafs to their first Stanley Cup in over 40 years as the Leafs sweep the Canucks and Mats Sundin in 2 games.

I can dream, right?

by Blinky on Jun 27, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

“sweep in two games”- the Canucks can’t actually field a full line after the Schenns put 17 of them in the hospital, and they forfeit.

"We've had an ongoing problem with Grabovski this year." Bob Gainey, 4/04/09

by kidkawartha on Jun 27, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kenny Ryan

We were just randomly walking near the arena looking for booze today, and we walked right past Kenny Ryan and his family leaving the building in his Leafs 09 jersey. His family saw us coming around the corner in our Leafs gear and there was an adorable little ‘Oh wow, here we go.’ moment out of his family. After a light round of applause and some cheering, it seemed like it hit him for the first time as to what exactly he’d just been drafted into. He pulled his hat on and pumped a fist while we welcomed him to Leafs nation.

A cool moment, for sure.

The Handsome Man's Guide To Life- We Burn The Buds, Roll The Raps, and Smoke The Jays. We'll Rock Your Socks Off, And Look Damn Good Doing It.

by Archimedies on Jun 27, 2009 3:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That’s awesome, great moment for him and you guys.

"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 27, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jerry D'Amigo

is, IMO, a big time steal for the Leafs. This kid could potentially become a Zach Parise-like player. He was supposed to be a late-second/early-third rounder, so I was surprised he was picked in the sixth round. I can’t wait to see how these picks turn up. The third rounder still makes me scratch my head, but the others interest me.

Here’s more info on D’Amigo:

http://thehockeywriters.com/50-jerry-damigo-%E2%80%93-the-hockey-spy%E2%80%99s-2009-nhl-entry-draft-rankings/

by Frag on Jun 27, 2009 5:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It’s funny how I just now realize how badly I wanted Brayden. You really never know what you’ll miss till it’s gone :(

by doggit on Jun 27, 2009 9:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Someone convince me that the Joey Devane pick isn’t atrocious.

by handknit on Jun 27, 2009 11:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He fought 18 times last year. He’s awesome.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Jun 28, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does he have any other talent other than fighting? Because that is an awfully high pick for a future enforcer at best.

by Frag on Jun 28, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

That he needs to at least be good in a checking/energy role where he can lay some big hits and pressure the opposing D on the dump in. The fighting is good too, but he has to add some value and useful minutes(if he cracks the bigs.)

If he does make the Leaf lineup sometime in the future, that is a 15% increase in truculence and a 37% increase in belligerence.

"Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weak minds."
Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Jun 28, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs