It’s official: the Toronto Maple Leafs will select 23rd overall in 2024.
That is, of course, unless they move the pick ahead of the festivities in Vegas on June 27. Maybe they’ll use it to acquire a big-name goaltender like Juuse Saros or Jacob Markstrom – who knows?
This year’s draft class isn’t the strongest, but there’s still decent depth. At No. 23, the Leafs will miss out on some of the top defensive prospects, but there’s still some value to be had at the position. There’s also an abundance of mid-range scoring pieces, and given Toronto’s lack of pipeline depth at essentially every position, it’s hard to screw this one up.
With just under two months to go before the NHL Draft, here’s a look at five names that the Leafs’ scouting department could target – and remember, you have to target the best player available, and not for positional need:
Aron Kiviharju, LHD (HIFK, Liiga)
There’s some risk involved here, given that Kiviharju missed nearly the entire season with an ACL injury. But the potential? Bonkers. Once viewed as the top defenceman in the class, the 5-foot-9 defender returned for the U-18 World Championship and had a solid, yet unspectacular run. What he did show was that he still was excellent with the puck, could win many key matchups and has the skating to decimate attackers.
If you’re drafting Kiviharju, you’re banking on the upside. He’d become Toronto’s top defensive prospect, someone who could play the power-play down the line. There’s the size concern, and some defensive massaging needed. But he was playing top-pairing minutes with the U-18 men’s team when he was just 16 – and for a reason. Kiviharju is one of the most skilled defencemen in the draft, but you’re hoping he bounces back after losing most of the season. It’s worth the risk, in my opinion.
Beckett Sennecke, RW (Oshawa, OHL)
Many didn’t think Sennecke was going to be a first-rounder at Christmas time. Now? There’s some legitimate top-15 interest. He has 22 points in 16 playoff games, building off a second half that saw him finish as one of the best second-half players in the OHL. The Generals are set to compete for the OHL title, and Sennecke is going to be a big part of the push to send the team to the Memorial Cup.
Sennecke benefited from having Cal Ritchie by his side, but it only helped amplify just how skilled of a player he was when he didn’t have to focus on driving a line by himself. Sennecke is a great puck handler with confidence. Toronto is lacking long-term scoring depth in the pipeline, but Sennecke is someone who could legitimately play with a big-name second-line center in a couple of years and thrive. If he’s available, and Toronto’s craving a forward, this is a good pick.
Terik Parascak, RW (Prince George, WHL)
Here’s a chance for the Leafs to swing for the fences. Parascak was one of the WHL’s biggest surprises this year, going from AAA last year to a 105-point producer as a rookie in Prince George. Parascak had some excellent linemates, no doubt, but he’s an excellent dual threat as a shooter and a passer, and the results speak for themselves.
Like Kiviharju, you’re betting on upside. Parascak’s rise has been unbelievable to watch, so you have to wonder if that’s a product of who he’s playing with or if he’s legitimately the real deal. But he’s a finisher, a passer and a non-stop motor all baked into one, and he only got more creative and confident as the season wore on. He might not be a player-driver in the NHL, but he could be an excellent complimentary piece. Next year will be big for him, but scouts like him.
Sacha Boisvert, C (Muskegon, USHL)
Boisvert is coming off a quieter playoff run, but don’t let that deter you – he’s damn good. The University of North Dakota commit was one of the top goal-scoring forwards in the USHL this year, plugging away at over a point per game. Boisvert was relied on heavily at both ends of the ice as a two-way center, so scoring like he did is remarkable.
Boisvert isn’t a huge kid, but he’s a good skater with an excellent shot release and good competitiveness. I fully expect the Trois-Rivieres native to excel in college because he’s got the brains and the work ethic to make it work, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in an NHL lineup in two years. That’s because he thinks the game at such a high level that, no matter the challenge, he finds a way to overcome it. There’s a good chance his ceiling is as a third-line center, but that might make a ton of sense for the Leafs in the long run, anyway, especially if, say, Fraser Minten gets moved to the wing.
Andrew Basha, LW (Medicine Hat, WHL)
Basha had a tremendous year with Medicine Hat, picking up the slack while top prospect Cayden Lindstrom was injured. He finished the regular season with 30 goals and 85 points in 63 games, building upon a season that saw him post one of the best goal totals of any Draft-1 players in the CHL last year.
He’s not going to blow you away in the NHL with his skill, but he brings good energy and is strong defensively. Between his 5-on-5 play, his experience on the power play and the playmaking he brings to the table, Basha could be a solid top-six contributor one day. He’s really good in open space, and I feel like he would have received significantly more attention if he didn’t play on the same team as Lindstrom. But the fact Basha stepped up like he did this year gets me excited, and if he doesn’t go in the top 20, he could be an excellent pickup to give the Leafs some extra scoring depth on the wing.
