NHL Draft

Looking at the very young and very raw defenseman out of Switzerland, Daniil Ustinkov, and his potential as a mid-round swing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Looking at one of the more underrated defense prospects in this year's draft, who could be another John Marino available in the mid to late rounds.

Looking at the highly underrated defense prospect, Harrison Brunicke, and how great a fit he could be for a Maple Leafs prospect system that is desperate for high end defensemen.

Looking at one of the very best playmakers in this year's draft, who will likely fall to the middle rounds because of issues with his speed.

Looking at an interesting Russian prospect with two-way potential in Yegor Surin, who went from being an undersized skilled guy to a versatile, dual-threat power forward in a year.

Looking at the fast skating, hard shooting, and hard working forward that went from playing in a Jersey AAA league last year to being the top goal scoring rookie in the USHL this year with one of the best names in this year's draft: John Mustard.

Looking at the highly skilled and speedy center/winger, Luke Misa, who was one of the top producing players in the OHL last year.

Looking at a late blooming two-way winger, Teddy Stiga from the US National Development Team. He's grown a good amount both literally and figuratively the past two seasons, and seems to fit what Toronto likes in their top prospects.

Looking at a true defensive defenseman specialist with potential as a solid two-way guy, EJ Emery. There's a lot of debate about how much his offensive skill projects, but there's no question about his defensive impact.

Looking at a big, mobile, puck moving defenseman Dominik Badinka from Czechia, and if his strengths make him an ideal pick in the late first round for Toronto.

Looking at the big, bruising defenseman from Norway, Stian Solberg, and if he has some late blooming potential that would make for a great first round swing by Toronto.

Looking at one of Sweden's top defense prospects in this year's draft, Alfons Freij. He's a smooth skating defenseman who is already very refined offensively and shows promise defensively.

Looking at one of Sweden's top forward prospects in this year's draft, Lucas Pettersson. He's a slightly undersized but effective two-way center with strong skating and playmaking skill.

I've mentioned before that I like to write some of these draft profiles around who I am guessing fit the mold of what the Maple Leafs are looking for in a prospect. This has changed over the years as I've seen and watched more and more

Looking at the stats, scouting reports and highlight clips of Sacha Boisvert, the big French power forward who can play a solid two-way center and really rip it.

Looking at the stats, scouting reports and highlight clips of Michael Hage, the skilled center from Mississauga who has had to overcome a lot adversity the past two years to become as good as he is.

Igor Chernysov has the potential to be a high end power forward with strong two-way abilities. The questions with him will be about how good he can be offensively. I dig into why he'd be worth a first round pick if he slips to Toronto.

Assessing Adam Jiříček, whose draft rankings have been falling all year after being one of the top defensemen at the start of the year after he suffered a serious injury and didn't perform as well as expected.

Scouting Norway's best prospect in years, power forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, and if he makes sense for the Toronto Maple Leafs if he falls into the later first round.

Scouting Liam Greentree, one of the OHL's best draft eligible forwards this year who offers an interesting mix of size and skill and is already a leader at 17 years old.

Scouting Tij Iginla, the older son of NHL legend Jarome Iginla, and if he makes sense for the Toronto Maple Leafs if he falls into the later first round.

Introducing and previewing all of the 2024 NHL draft profiles that I will be publishing for all of June, leading up to the first day of the draft on the 28th.

There's more to the Mem Cup than Easton Cowan.

Looking at some prospects who seem more likely to wind up being mid or late round picks that could be interesting options for the Maple Leafs.

Looking at Bob McKenzie's mid-season ranking update that just dropped, and talking about my favourite prospects who look like they could be available to Toronto.