Approaching a busy draft weekend, the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves at a crucial juncture. While still considered contenders, they urgently need to reshape their team identity.
General Manager Brad Treliving previously traded his first-round selection for forward Scott Laughton to improve the current roster. Adding to the challenge, their highest remaining pick, originally from Florida, fell to the end of the second round after the Panthers won the Stanley Cup.
Toronto`s pool of future prospects and draft picks is currently limited, but that`s a challenge for the future management.
The immediate priority this off-season is filling the significant void in the forward group left by their primary free agent target, Mitch Marner (and potentially John Tavares), while keeping pace with the strengthening Atlantic Division.
This necessitates exploring options for unrestricted free agents and potential trades, particularly targeting middle-six centers and physically engaged wingers who can contribute offensively.
From a draft perspective, the 2025 event marks the debut of new director of amateur scouting Mark Leach, who joins from Dallas after 11 years of successfully building the Stars` prospect pipeline.
However, Leach has only six picks to work with, the earliest being 64th overall.
It`s time for him to demonstrate his expertise.
“He’s very detailed,” Treliving said of his chosen scouting lead. “Mark is very knowledgeable when you get into the top 90; Mark knows those players really well, and he really includes and pushes the area scouts for their involvement — and gives them a lot of responsibility — as the draft moves on.”
“I have really enjoyed the year with him. Now, sometimes, I have to give myself a wide berth around Mark. We’ll meet, he’ll leave, and then I’ll trade one of his draft picks. That makes him really excited.”
Realistically, as a playoff-experienced team, the Maple Leafs are more likely to use draft picks in trades to benefit the current roster than to simply accumulate future assets.
Whether Leach`s selections prove successful won`t be known for several years.
“If you look back, he has a hell of a draft record,” Treliving said. “I joke about (trading) the picks there, but he puts value in every pick. Whether it is a pick in the fourth or seventh round — whatever you’ve got — his feeling is that there are players to be found in every round. His history has shown that.”
Draft Picks
- 2nd round (via FLA)
- 3rd round (via COL)
- 5th round (via PIT)
- 5th round (own)
- 6th round (own)
- 7th round (own)
Possible Selections in Round 2
Charlie Trethewey: This six-foot-one, 200-pound defenseman improved significantly over the season. Seen as a potential secondary offensive contributor, the U.S. National Team Development Program product is projected as a shutdown type who can also contribute on the penalty kill. His physical style, combined with his size, strength, and smooth skating, brings qualities that appeal to Treliving.
Peyton Kettles: Showing improvement each year in the WHL, the six-foot-five, 190-pound Swift Current Broncos blueliner prioritizes defense and executes a straightforward game effectively. Kettles` straight-line speed is good, but scouts note that his edge work and play in tight spaces could improve. With excellent reach and a fearless approach to blocking shots on the PK, the right-shot player is projected to be a reliable third-pairing defenseman.
Alex Huang: Another right-shot defenseman (a potential area of focus for the Leafs?), the six-foot, 170-pound Chicoutimi Sagueneens standout impressed while playing for Team Canada at the U18s. Capable of quarterbacking a power play, initiating transition offense, and joining the rush, Huang recorded a solid 40 points in 64 QMJHL games this season. He also demonstrates responsibility in his own zone, evidenced by a plus-11 rating.
Update on Last Year`s First-Rounder
When fans learn which player the 31st overall pick from 2024 is trying to emulate, it should be encouraging news for Leafs supporters.
After getting a brief look at NHL camp before captaining the Oshawa Generals in 2024-25, Ben Danford mentioned he`s been aiming to play like Chris Tanev.
“He is someone who blocks a lot of shots, plays the right way, has a really good first pass,” the prospect stated in an interview.
“That was someone going through the draft process last year that I kind of looked up to and saw comparisons in our game on what maybe I could be at the next level. For him to be in Toronto now, and for me to get to meet him at training camp, he’s really cool and a down-to-earth guy, and I hope to learn some stuff off him hopefully soon.”
Essentially, the right-shot Danford emphasizes strong, intelligent defensive play. He brings fearlessness to his shifts and leadership qualities, which led to him being named the 2025 Bobby Orr Defenceman of the Year.
However, one trait Danford possesses that is less like Tanev is his size, which he used effectively this season, his third in junior hockey, delivering impactful hits in open ice.
Danford contributed a career-best five goals and 20 assists during the regular season as the Generals made another deep playoff run, ultimately losing to fellow Leafs first-rounder Easton Cowan`s London Knights in the OHL championship.
While it`s a long shot for the Madoc, Ontario native to make the Maple Leafs` 2025-26 roster, there`s anticipation to see how his physically stronger game translates against minor-league professionals soon.
Bold Prediction for the Off-Season
Given Treliving`s limited trade assets and several roster players with trade protection, a bold move would involve orchestrating a trade to significantly address Toronto`s pressing need for a center.
A long-shot scenario: Treliving could swing a deal to bring Nazem Kadri back from Calgary, perhaps if the Flames embrace a full rebuild around a prospect like Gavin McKenna. Alternatively, Treliving might acquire William Karlsson or Tomas Hertl from Vegas, should the Golden Knights need to clear significant cap space, potentially to pursue Mitch Marner.
A more likely scenario: The Leafs trade their final second-round pick to acquire multiple picks in the third round, providing Mark Leach with a few more opportunities to find hidden talent.
Tristan Blackwood