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Maple Leafs Draft Review Part 3: 2017 draft class

By Jeff Langridge

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 23: The Toronto Maple Leafs select defenseman Timothy Liljegren with the 17th pick in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft on June 23, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 23: The Toronto Maple Leafs select defenseman Timothy Liljegren with the 17th pick in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft on June 23, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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In Part 3 of this series, we look at how the Maple Leafs’ picks in the 2017 NHL Draft have fared.

Well, the day is here. The 2018 NHL Draft is tonight. However, before that, we will finish off this series where we look at what the Toronto Maple Leafs have done in recent years. Today, we look at last season’s draft.

Of course, with only one season between then and now, not much has happened with the players the Maple Leafs have drafted. Now, the first round did see the Leafs being one of the luckiest teams of last year. Behind that, we still have yet to get much concrete information on some of their other picks.

With all that said, let’s look at what the Maple Leafs did last year.

Timothy Liljegren, D

Drafted: 17th Overall (First Round)

Did you ever think, as a Leafs fan, you’d be thankful for mono? Well, that’s probably the case for most of “Leafs Nation.” If Liljegren had’t gotten it, there is no way he would have fallen to the Leafs.

The Leafs choosing to keep him with the Toronto Marlies proved to be the right decision. While adjusting to the NHL-type game, he still managed a goal and 17 points in 44 games. He also had four assists in the Marlies playoff run.

He will probably spend one more season with the Marlies before graduating to the Leafs. That is, unless he takes a huge step forward this off season and shows it in training camp.

CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 24: Eemeli Rasanen greets the team after being selected 59th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 24: Eemeli Rasanen greets the team after being selected 59th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Eemeli Rasanen, D

Drafted: 59th Overall (Second Round)

Rasanen might be the best of the big defensemen that the Leafs drafted in the Lamoriello years. He should be considering he was also drafted the highest. Playing with the Kingston Frontenacs, he had five goals and 33 points in 61 points. He also had a goal and five assists in 16 playoff games.

Rasanen surprised more than a few people when it was announced that he signed with Jokerit of the KHL. It’s a two-year deal, so if the Leafs made him a Bona Fide Offer, they hold onto his rights until 2021 rather than 2019. This is also the case for 2016 pick, Vladimir Bobylev.

Playing in a tougher league should do well for his development and that can only be good for the Leafs.

Ian Scott, G

Drafted: 110th Overall (Fourth Round)

After taking Joseph Woll in 2016, the Leafs decided to add more depth in the crease with the selection of Scott. This marked the first time the Leafs had drafted a goalie in two consecutive drafts since 2005 (Tuukka Rask) and 2006 (James Reimer). Both of those goalies have been starters in the NHL for some time now. Could this work out the same way? Although, maybe don’t trade one of them away and then watch them win the Stanley Cup.

Scott had a .897 save percentage and a record of 24-16-3 in 50 games with the Prince Albert Raiders last season. He repeated that same save percentage in seven playoff games. He also saw action in one game with the Marlies, which he won. He’ll probably be back in Prince Albert next season as he still has two years of junior eligibility left.

Vladislav Kara, LW

Drafted: 124th Overall (Fourth Round)

If people were surprised by the Yegor Korshkov pick the year prior, then the Kara pick is even more shocking. He was not ranked by any of the top scouting services. This is how far out of left field this pick was.

Kara played in the Ak Bars Kazan system last season, spending most of his time in the VHL. He had nine goals and 15 points in 33 VHL games. He is possibly the biggest mystery in the Leafs organization and it is not known when, if ever, he’ll be coming over.

Fedor Gordeev, D

Drafted: 141st Overall (Fifth Round)

Drafted from one of the worst teams in the OHL, the Flint Firebirds, Gordeev had eight goals and 25 points in 67 games. The optics don’t look good for the Leafs signing him as it just seems that he was another one of those big defensemen that Hunter favored. The Leafs have already let two of them go.

CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 24: Fedor Gordeev meets president Brendan Shanahan after being selected 141st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 24: Fedor Gordeev meets president Brendan Shanahan after being selected 141st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Ryan McGregor, C

Drafted: 172nd Overall (Sixth Round)

McGregor dealt with injury trouble this season, but still managed 13 goals and 32 points in 50 games. It’s hard to tell what the Leafs have in McGregor but he is a center, so he does .have than in his favor

Next: Maple Leafs Draft Review Part 2: 2016 draft class

Ryan O’Connell, D

Drafted: 203rd Overall (Seventh Round)

Drafted out of high school, O’Connell moved from Ontario to British Columbia to play for the Penticton Vees. He had three goals and 14 points in 26 games. He is committed to play for Ohio State University next season.

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