F Ryan Leonard - Boston College, NCAA (2023, 8th, WSH)

[Et le But]

A possibly limited ceiling character guy who Plays the Right Way? 100% the Habs pick.

 

[biturbo19]

JT miller has zero effort in the defensive zone…I wouldn’t say that is the best comparison. I see him more has a Bennet/Konecny/Hartman type of player

I like the Hartman comparison for Leonard.

Sometimes i feel like i'm watching a different player than some people are talking about with him. When they talk about him like he's this huge power forward with sky high scoring upside.

To me, he looks a lot more like a Hartman type. Really solid all-around, responsible, 2-way complementary Top-9 forward with solid but unspectacular finishing ability who plays the right way and brings some grit and heaviness.

Those other two are also solid comparisons in the same vein, with Konecny being something like the absolute "ceiling" if everything goes extremely well in Leonard's development. But even then, thinking back to Konecny in Juniors...he could be an absolutely dynamic offensive catalyst in all facets in a way that i'm not sure i really see with Leonard. Though it's certainly muddied in wondering how much he's just deferring to a pair of much more pure skilled/creative linemates and playing to a "role". Dangerous to read that into his play though.

 

[rt]

 

[SlafySZN]

A possibly limited ceiling character guy who Plays the Right Way? 100% the Habs pick.

He’s not limited ceiling.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Did not have dinner with the Habs - but Kent Hughes knows him well.

 

[Michoulicious]

I like the Hartman comparison for Leonard.

Sometimes i feel like i'm watching a different player than some people are talking about with him. When they talk about him like he's this huge power forward with sky high scoring upside.

To me, he looks a lot more like a Hartman type. Really solid all-around, responsible, 2-way complementary Top-9 forward with solid but unspectacular finishing ability who plays the right way and brings some grit and heaviness.

Those other two are also solid comparisons in the same vein, with Konecny being something like the absolute "ceiling" if everything goes extremely well in Leonard's development. But even then, thinking back to Konecny in Juniors...he could be an absolutely dynamic offensive catalyst in all facets in a way that i'm not sure i really see with Leonard. Though it's certainly muddied in wondering how much he's just deferring to a pair of much more pure skilled/creative linemates and playing to a "role". Dangerous to read that into his play though.

Ryan Hartman is an excellent comparable. Leonard has more finish IMO.

 

[rt]

If he’s going top six in a very good draft, there’s surely top pick comparables, not guys take mid teens, mid twenties or later, no?

How about Gabriel Landeskog but one inch shorter? Landeskog was a top pick who crushed the combine in both testing and interviews, as it seems Leonard is poised to do.

NHL teams considering him 4th, 5th, and 6th overall aren’t putting 3rd liners on the board as comps.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

If he’s going top six in a very good draft, there’s surely top pick comparables, not guys take mid teens, mid twenties or later, no?

How about Gabriel Landeskog but one inch shorter? Landeskog was a top pick who crushed the combine in both testing and interviews, as it seems Leonard is poised to do.

NHL teams considering him 4th, 5th, and 6th overall aren’t putting 3rd liners on the board as comps.

You're on the right track. Leonard is very skilled but also possesses truculence and a motor. That's why he is likely to go top 6/7. He'd look very good on a team like Montreal.

 

[DatDude44]

If he’s going top six in a very good draft, there’s surely top pick comparables, not guys take mid teens, mid twenties or later, no?

How about Gabriel Landeskog but one inch shorter? Landeskog was a top pick who crushed the combine in both testing and interviews, as it seems Leonard is poised to do.

NHL teams considering him 4th, 5th, and 6th overall aren’t putting 3rd liners on the board as comps.

My comparables off the top of my head Gourde(lower end), Konecny, Parise(prime) and Mark stone(obvi big dif with stones IQ and leonards skating, but the attention to detail they both play with and skill level being high but not elite)

 

[rams]

Might be my favourite prospect outside the Top 3-4.

 

[Castle8130]

I know this isn't a popular opinion, but I'd consider taking him at #2. He's #6 on my board in talent, but he is in the 2-6 range for me.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Ryan Hartman is an excellent comparable. Leonard has more finish IMO.

Leonard has way more offensive talent than Hartman.

 

[Saxon]

Ryan Hartman is an excellent comparable. Leonard has more finish IMO.

Habs picking Ryan Hartman 2.0 at 5 is very on brand.

 

[William H Bonney]

Habs picking Ryan Hartman 2.0 at 5 is very on brand.

Regardless of what anyone thinks of that comparable, Leonard's upside is significantly higher than Hartman's at the same age.

 

[Saxon]

Regardless of what anyone thinks of that comparable, Leonard's upside is significantly higher than Hartman's at the same age.

I agree, but it would be on brand though

 

[LemonSauceD]

Leonard reminds me of Marian Hossa, especially the Ottawa Senators version

 

[rt]

 

[Doublechin]

4th on my list as we get closer to draft day.

 

[Rockomax]

Did not have dinner with the Habs - but Kent Hughes knows him well.

Do we know who did?

 

[SlafySZN]

Do we know who did?

No, seems like they didn’t bring anyone or it’s secretive and doesn’t want anyone to know.

 

[McGees]

Perfect player to play with Suzuki and Caufield.
Done.
Book it.
Leonard to the Habs.

 

[NewEraGM]

Leonard has way more offensive talent than Hartman.

I think the Hartman comparison is for the year Hartman had last year and that Leonard would be able to do that consistently. 30-35 goals. 30-35 assists for 60-70 points while being physical and net driver

Perfect player to play with Suzuki and Caufield.
Done.
Book it.
Leonard to the Habs.

I think it’s looking highly likely unless SJ goes off the board. Would fit very well and can be a 30G /60-70 point guy with physicality and net drive. That’s a big piece and like you said would fit nicely with Suzuki, Caufield, Dach and Slafkovsky. Brings a different element

 

[NewEraGM]

I've seen him labeled as physical.

I'm curious.

Is he run you over, drop a big hit physical, or just a guy who gets into the corners throws a hit to stun the opponent and then battles hard to get the puck


Or is it a bit of both ?

More the second and not afraid to drive the net. High end compete level

 

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

I like Leonard. He strikes me as a smart physical player. He doesn't go out there like a wrecking ball and hitting everything in sight. He's calculated in his approach to physicality. He's also a natural goal scorer. His shot is a beauty. To me, if Zach Benson is gone, he's got Flyers written all over him.

 

[Playmaker09]

He's every bit the talent Filip Forsberg was. His puck skills are still getting slept on.