5 ways Maple Leafs winning NHL Draft Lottery will save franchise
By Leah Smith
2. Veterans will know how to teach the young players
Led by defenseman Morgan Rielly, there is a small core of more experienced NHL players that will be there to show the younger players the ropes.
Rielly is by no means a veteran, but given how young the roster could be next season, he will provide much needed experience on the back end. Proof of the importance of drafting well – he was the fifth selection in the 2012 draft – Rielly just signed a six-year deal worth $5 million a year, showing the faith that the front office has in him. He should develop into the anchor that the Leafs need on the blue line, while also helping the younger players deal with the tough Toronto media market.
Up front, Nazem Kadri and a healthy James van Riemsdyk, will be in leadership roles to guide the slew of young forwards about to join the team.
Landing the first overall pick, also makes Toronto more attractive to free agents come July 1. The biggest that the Maple Leafs could land would be Toronto-born and raised, Steven Stamkos. The arrival of Stamkos would take the pressure off of Matthews to immediately become the Leafs first-line centre.
Stamkos would likely sign a long-term deal in Toronto, and after enduring a few years of growing pains with the young team, the Maple Leafs could be a force in Toronto.
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