Leafs not drafting well ?

[Stonehands1990]

Dubas' drafting since 2018 can't really be declared a success at this point because most of the drafted players have yet to even graduate to full time AHL duties, let alone demonstrate NHL viability to any meaningful degree. A success is really declared based on WJC performances or name recognition or favorable prospect write ups because we've seen prospects from previous regimes get to this level of development and even further, yet didn't become NHL players.

To date we've gotten 43 games of NHL service out of Robertson and Sandin out of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 drafts. It's just too early.

Leafs were very well represented at the WJHC last year. All the other teams that had a lot of prospects were rebuilding

 

[Stephen]

Leafs were very well represented at the WJHC last year. All the other teams that had a lot of prospects were rebuilding

It’s a good start but we’re not drafting to build a WJC gold medal winner.

 

[29Potvin]

While some observers have expressed concern that the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect pool may be drying up after having only three draft picks in the 2021 NHL Draft last month, early returns are promising on second round pick Matthew Knies.

The 18-year-old winger had seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) in six games and according to US coach Nate Leaman was one of the surprises of a tournament that has some influence on who will make up the roster for the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championships in Alberta this December.
Leaman indicated via Chris Peters that Knies showed the ability to score from distance, to use his 6’3”, 210 lb. frame to play a power game down low and showed good touch with the puck.

Leafs 2020 second rounder Roni Hirvonen and third rounder Topi Niemela, who played for Finland in last year’s WJC, also shined in the tournament. Hirvonen led the tournament with eight goals, while Niemela (who was named the WJC’s best defenseman last January) led all blueliners with six points (2 goals, 4 assists).