Toronto Maple Leafs - 2022 Entry Draft - 2nd Rd Pick (38th OA) - Fraser Minten (C)

[makbeer]

I actually like the pick and the player.

What I didn't want is another player who is going to find it impossible to crack our top 6 and eventually be moved because he's not suitable for a 3rd or 4th line role. We have too many of these awkward players who are offensive players but not good enough to play an offensive role on our team.

This kid can become one of those home grown 3rd liners who can play physical, have size and also contribute timely goals. He's very Nick Paul-ish to me.

 

[Martin Skoula]

If he pans out to his realistic upside (no surprise growth spurts or suddenly becoming an elite skater next year), he probably ends up the type of 3C we'd pay a 1st+ to rent.

 

[meefer]

Additionally, per PPPs,

Here are some notes on his production, which don’t jump off the page at first glance:

• Minten only played around 14 minutes per night on one of the WHL’s best teams, playing behind one of the best CHL prospects in Logan Stankoven.
• He was 7th among WHL forwards in this year’s draft in total primary points, 7th in even strength primary points, and 5th in powerplay primary points.
• With his ice time, he had the third best primary points per 60 rate, and rates ahead of the likes of first rounders Conor Geekie and Reid Shaefer.

 

[Steveei]

interesting pick. dubas must of liked something about him, so im for it. just from reports it seems like hes the ideal type of player you want playing 3C, but maybe they see more upside.

 

[Knies iT]

I like the pick. B+.

The sentiment is always the same after a top 60 Dubas pick. People were lukewarm on Knies and I was high on that pick too (moreso than this tbf).

Intelligent two-way C with size who initiates hard physically. His puck skills are above average for what he projects to be, and his shot has legitimate NHL goal scorer potential. Molds his game after Backlund/Horvat and I see the stylistic similarities.

He’ll be playing with an elite junior player in Stankoven on a team that hosts the Memorial cup. His playoffs were a coming out party and with his play style I bet he makes a name for himself at the Mem cup next summer.

People throw “low ceiling” labels on anything that isn’t a glittery water bug with rush ability who can shine in D+1/D+2 junior models despite having huge holes in their game. If this kid can settle in around 6’2” 195-200lbs as a mean, two-way centre with 20-30 goal potential - that’s an asset teams pay 1st + for in their primes. Think of Cirelli, Jenner, Cizikas, etc. who have significantly less pre-draft skill yet GMs refuse to let these players go in their 20s. To find that in a centre is rare.

Drafting a C 3 years out from Tavares’ contract expiring is also nice timing for a position that is weak in the pool.

 

[Knies iT]

I like the pick. B+.

The sentiment is always the same after a top 60 Dubas pick. People were lukewarm on Knies and I was high on that pick too (moreso than this tbf).

Intelligent two-way C with size who initiates hard physically. His puck skills are above average for what he projects to be, and his shot has legitimate NHL goal scorer potential. Molds his game after Backlund/Horvat and I see the stylistic similarities.

He’ll be playing with an elite junior player in Stankoven on a team that hosts the Memorial cup. His playoffs were a coming out party and with his play style I bet he makes a name for himself at the Mem cup next summer.

People throw “low ceiling” labels on anything that isn’t a glittery water bug with rush ability who can shine in D+1/D+2 junior models despite having huge holes in their game. If this kid can settle in around 6’2” 195-200lbs as a mean, two-way centre with 20-30 goal potential - that’s an asset teams pay 1st + for in their primes. Think of Cirelli, Jenner, Cizikas, etc. who have significantly less pre-draft skill yet GMs refuse to let these players go in their 20s. To find that in a centre is rare.

Drafting a C 3 years out from Tavares’ contract expiring is also nice timing for a position that is weak in the pool.

Also,

Some of the comparisons in here are odd. Gauthier? Really? The guy was a slug with atrocious finishing ability and hands. There was no above average qualities to his game aside from defensive IQ.

If you want to compare Minten to a recent 1st rounder look at Zary, but lite version with a shoot first mentality and more physicality.

I don’t see dynamic offensive ability but he doesn’t need that to be a 2-3C pivot. Not much worse than a more raw version of Kulich with less tunnel vision.

This will be a valuable pick when he arrives. If he hits, I’d argue his package will be more valuable to a contender than most of the guys that went 25-37.

 

[Leafs at Knight]

Neat. You think people would stop whining about every pick when I see a lot of the same posters that were upset about sandin and Robertson.

 

[Jeffrey Pedler]

Love the pick. Potential third line centre that can kill penalties. Could add another 20lbs to his frame and maybe grow even taller.

 

[Mess]

Western Hockey League

Headquartered in Calgary, Albert, the Western Hockey League (WHL) consists of 22 Member Clubs located throughout Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

whl.ca

 

[hockeywiz542]

Why the Maple Leafs drafted Fraser Minten: 'He’s a new age hockey player'

Fraser Minten instantly becomes one of the Maple Leafs' top prospects at centre, a long-term position of need.

theathletic.com

Minten grew up in Vancouver, rooting for the Canucks and adoring their rugged captain and centre, Bo Horvat. Another favourite: Flames centre and perennial Selke Trophy candidate Mikael Backlund.

Describing himself as a smart two-way player, he’s tried to implement parts of their game into his own.

“Highly intelligent, highly competitive, he knows how to win,” Wes Clark, the Leafs director of amateur scouting, said of Minten’s game. “He’s gonna be the captain (in Kamloops) at some point. Just love everything about his game.”

Added Shane Doan, the former NHL star and member of the Blazers ownership group, in a text message to The Athletic: “Really smart player, great hockey I.Q. (He) was great in the playoffs for us. I am sure he wowed them in his interview. He is a really good kid.”

Ask just about anyone about who Minten is as a player and a person, it doesn’t take long for the word to come quickly: smart. Very smart.

“His IQ is extremely high,” Clouston said.

Off the ice, his smarts manifest in his interests: He’ll read two to three books a week, usually non-fiction. (Which might explain why he was happy to indulge in Burke’s book.)

“He’s always looking to gain knowledge and wisdom through reading,” Clouston said.

Minten excels in playing classical piano, and has since he was a child. He’s also a rabid hockey fan who loves the game so much that he’s already eyeing a job in it (future GM?) whenever his playing career comes to an end. Minten called it “surreal” to meet Dubas.

“It’s not a chore for me to watch hockey,” he said.

It’s how he can impact a game with his smarts that won Dubas and the Leafs over.

“It’s something that we really try to focus on,” Clark said of Minten’s hockey brain. “He attacked it in some of the things we did when meeting with him.”

The Leafs showed him video clips from their team, and others in the NHL, and asked Minten to break them down. What’s going to happen next? they wanted to know. And, What would you do if you were on the ice?

Minten nailed it.

“That gave me an advantage over other people,” Minten said. “Some of the clips I recognized from watching hockey throughout the season.”

 

[hockeywiz542]

Maple Leafs 2022 NHL Draft grade: Corey Pronman analyzes every pick

Corey Pronman details what to expect from the prospects and how they fit into the farm system.

theathletic.com

38. Fraser Minten, C, KAMLOOPS (WHL)

July 5, 2004 | 6-foot-1 | 185 pounds

Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Background: Minten quickly turned into an important player for a good WHL team after being a fourth-round bantam pick. He played on both special teams frequently for Kamloops this season.

Analysis: Minten can make things happen with the puck. He has a good enough stick, he can move pucks into seams and make plays under pressure. He also has a very good wrist shot and can score from the circles. Minten’s skating is OK. He lacks quick burst but with his size, he’s able to get around guys enough. He competes well enough but can draft too much to the perimeter, though. I think he plays games but he’ll need to add dimensions to carve out a regular NHL role.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Love the pick. Potential third line centre that can kill penalties. Could add another 20lbs to his frame and maybe grow even taller.

Sounds like frederick gauthier

 

[Dion TheFluff]

Additionally, per PPPs,

Here are some notes on his production, which don’t jump off the page at first glance:

• Minten only played around 14 minutes per night on one of the WHL’s best teams, playing behind one of the best CHL prospects in Logan Stankoven.
• He was 7th among WHL forwards in this year’s draft in total primary points, 7th in even strength primary points, and 5th in powerplay primary points.
• With his ice time, he had the third best primary points per 60 rate, and rates ahead of the likes of first rounders Conor Geekie and Reid Shaefer.

this is encouraging to see. Would almost be nice to see Stankoven graduate to the pros and then Minten could get 18+ minutes a night. Could easily see him kind of exploding when Stankoven finally does leave (weather that is next year or the year after)

 

[thewave]

Maple Leafs 2022 NHL Draft grade: Corey Pronman analyzes every pick

Corey Pronman details what to expect from the prospects and how they fit into the farm system.

theathletic.com

38. Fraser Minten, C, KAMLOOPS (WHL)

July 5, 2004 | 6-foot-1 | 185 pounds

Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Background: Minten quickly turned into an important player for a good WHL team after being a fourth-round bantam pick. He played on both special teams frequently for Kamloops this season.

Analysis: Minten can make things happen with the puck. He has a good enough stick, he can move pucks into seams and make plays under pressure. He also has a very good wrist shot and can score from the circles. Minten’s skating is OK. He lacks quick burst but with his size, he’s able to get around guys enough. He competes well enough but can draft too much to the perimeter, though. I think he plays games but he’ll need to add dimensions to carve out a regular NHL role.

It's the below NHL average skating. It's all about the skating. We need people who can skate and you can tweak it a bit but that's it. He's slow and just more than likely will not cut it.

 

[The Podium]

Seems like a Dubas pick. Take advantage of market inefficiencies on a guy who has been playing limited minutes and should have more to give if provided the opportunity.

Hockey IQ check
Motor check

Encouraging that he is a responsible two-way C. Michael Backlund seems like his high end comparable, which is the exact type of player you want on a championship team.

Don’t know much about the player, so I can’t say for certain if it’s a good or bad pick, but I like the type of player they targeted.

 

[meefer]

It's the below NHL average skating. It's all about the skating. We need people who can skate and you can tweak it a bit but that's it. He's slow and just more than likely will not cut it.

I've not seen the kid play, so I offer no personal opinion, but per NHL Draft black book,

"The overall skating package is going to grade up higher for us now because it seems so obviously projectable. He actually has greater length to his stride than meets the eye; it’s just that the power isn’t fully fleshed out yet."

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Sounds like frederick gauthier

Sounds like you don't know what you're talking about.

 

[Stand Witness]

If I had to guess, the majority of those elite #3/#2 two way centers probably were viewed as low end picks with a low end ceiling.

Find me the scouting reports of the best defensive/two way centers in the game and I would be willing to bet they are underwhelming and not very high upside.

 

[BertCorbeau]

I wonder if Dubas wanted to trade down again to grab Minten but there were no takers, so he took the guy he wanted as a reach

 

[Dion TheFluff]

I wonder if Dubas wanted to trade down again to grab Minten but there were no takers, so he took the guy he wanted as a reach

Sounded like Montreal and Arizona had high interest in his as well from a tweet I saw so u could only drop so far as well. He has clearly coveted and held in higher regard by NHL executives than he was on HF or most mock drafts.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Sounded like Montreal and Arizona had high interest in his as well from a tweet I saw so u could only drop so far as well. He has clearly coveted and held in higher regard by NHL executives than he was on HF or most mock drafts.

That would also explain it too. It could be an oversight by passing on others around him, but then again I can see his appeal.

If his offense and skating progress, he could be a great pickup.

And honestly the team needs more centre prospects.. so I’m ok with it

 

[The Podium]

I wonder if Dubas wanted to trade down again to grab Minten but there were no takers, so he took the guy he wanted as a reach

I wonder if he was Dubas’s next BPA but at 25 it was a big reach, hence the Mrazek deal.

 

[Stand Witness]

I wonder if he was Dubas’s next BPA but at 25 it was a big reach, hence the Mrazek deal.

I dont think this is the case. IIRC, Dubas did say that the guy they were targeting at 25 wasn’t available by the time they made the move.

At that point they probably were pretty certain they could move back and still get their next guy on their list. If Minten was #15 on their list, I am guessing #14 was picked just before the trade back.

Or they had a tier of guys at pick 25 they were hoping to get and it was cleared out before.

 

[MarMarSab3]

There were a few guys I'd rather have taken especially GLEB, I trust our management and scouting.

 

[zeke]

Who are our picks in this range from these scouts?

Sandin
Durzi
Robertson
Hirvonen
Niemela
Knies


Yeah I'm not worried.