2018 NHL mock draft: Eastern Conference teams

25. Toronto Maple Leafs – Isac Lundestrom

Lundestrom has been called a safe pick. Somehow that has grown to have a negative connotation. If a player is almost assuredly going to be a reliable NHLer, wouldn’t you want to select him? A player who is low-risk, potentially high-reward is exactly the player most teams should want at the end of the first round.

Lundestrom had only six goals and 15 points in 42 games for Lulea of the SHL. That might seem like a small amount and it is, but you have to remember one thing. He has been playing against men in the SHL for the last two seasons. Any player in that situation is usually fighting for ice time. In the NHL, he projects to be a third-line center with the potential to move up to the top-six.

What helps him as well is his experience playing for his country. He has represented in tournaments six times in the past four seasons. He was an important part of Sweden’s team at the World Juniors this year, playing on a line with Tim Soderlund and Oskar Steen, Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins prospects respectively. He scored two goals in seven games at the tournament.

The Maple Leafs have an issue at the center position. Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri are the only centers who played regularly signed on for next season. They have to make a move to bring in bring in somebody, as their depth down the middle is not good even on the Toronto Marlies.

Lundestrom is a perfect fit for the Leafs. With Kadri signed long-term and Matthews soon to join him, they have one of the best one-two punches in the NHL set. When Lundestrom is ready, he could easily make it one of the best trios in the league when all is said and done.