5 players Toronto Maple Leafs should target in 2018 NHL Draft

SUNRISE, FL - JUNE 26: Kyle Dubas Assistant General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs talks on the phone as President Brendan Shanahan looks on during the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center on June 26, 2015 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

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BUFFALO, NY – DECEMBER 28: Isac Lundestrom #20 of Sweden skates up ice with the puck in the third period against Czech Republic during the IIHF World Junior Championship at KeyBank Center on December 28, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. Sweden beat Czech Republic 3-1. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images) /

4. Isac Lundestrom

If the Leafs want to take a center in the first round, it might be a bit harder to find one. Compared to every other position, center is probably the weakest in overall depth of high-end talent. By the time the Leafs are up, most of the top centers will be off the board. There might be one left and that player is Isac Lundestrom.

Another example of Isac Lundestrom's vision. Nice little no-look backhand pass between the legs who finds his linemate #2018NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/2BOWtCPtDW
— Dennis Schellenberg (@ScoutingFactory) March 16, 2018

In mock drafts, Lundestrom has been selected anywhere between No. 13 and No. 26. If any player shows the randomness of the first round after the top five picks or so, it’s Lundestrom. If there is anything that makes Lundestrom a good pick for the Leafs, it’s what Sam Consentino said in Sportsnet’s ranking of the top 31 prospects in the draft.

"A solid pick for his ability to play a two-way game with good energy. Does the skill set project him to be in your top six? If not, are you OK with the back-up plan of a responsible third line center?"

So he has the skill to be a second line center, but the back-up plan is that he’s a reliable third line center? That sound’s great for the Leafs. They have Matthews anchoring the first line for the foreseeable future with Nazem Kadri signed for the next four seasons. That gives Lundestrom time to develop and then Kadri can either move down to the third line or Lundestrom can take that spot.

He’s played against men in the SHL for the past two seasons, so that development might not even take that long. He could jump to the Toronto Marlies before too long. That is, if the the Leafs take him of course.

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