By Luke Fox
The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading into a busy draft weekend facing significant challenges, even though they remain contenders. The team is actively seeking a refreshed identity.
General Manager Brad Treliving previously traded the team`s first-round pick for forward Scott Laughton to bolster the current roster. Adding to the challenge, their other top pick (originally from Florida) moved to the final selection of the second round after the Panthers won the Stanley Cup.
Toronto currently has a limited pool of draft picks and prospects, which is a concern for future team building.
The primary focus for the immediate off-season is addressing significant roster gaps, particularly the potential departure of key forwards like Mitch Marner (and possibly John Tavares), while ensuring the team remains competitive in the increasingly strong Atlantic Division.
This involves preparing to pursue unrestricted free agents and exploring trade opportunities, specifically targeting middle-six centers and skilled, gritty wingers.
Regarding the draft itself, the 2025 event marks the first under new director of amateur scouting Mark Leach, who joins from Dallas after spending 11 years helping build the Stars` prospect pool.
However, Leach will work with a limited selection of just six picks, the earliest being 64th overall.
This will require some skillful drafting.
GM Treliving praised Leach, stating, “He’s very detailed… Mark is very knowledgeable when you get into the top 90; Mark knows those players really well, and he really includes and pushes the area scouts for their involvement — and gives them a lot of responsibility — as the draft moves on.”
Treliving added, “I have really enjoyed the year with him. Now, sometimes, I have to give myself a wide berth around Mark. We’ll meet, he’ll leave, and then I’ll trade one of his draft picks. That makes him really excited.”
Given their status as a veteran playoff team, the Maple Leafs are more likely to trade away draft picks to address immediate needs rather than focusing on accumulating high-round selections.
The success of Leach`s draft strategy will only become clear several years in the future.
Treliving highlighted Leach`s track record: “If you look back, he has a hell of a draft record… I joke about (trading) the picks there, but he puts value in every pick.”
“Whether it is a pick in the fourth or seventh round — whatever you’ve got — his feeling is that there are players to be found in every round. His history has shown that.”
Draft Picks
- 2nd round (via FLA)
- 3rd round (via COL)
- 5th round (via PIT)
- 5th round (own)
- 6th round (own)
- 7th round (own)
Potential Round 2 Options
Charlie Trethewey: This six-foot-one, 200-pound defenceman improved throughout the season. Seen as a secondary point producer, the U.S. National Team Development Program graduate is expected to be a shutdown player who can contribute on the penalty kill. His physical play complements his size, strength, and smooth skating. Tretheway possesses qualities that appeal to Treliving.
Peyton Kettles: Improving each year in the WHL, the six-foot-five, 190-pound Swift Current Broncos blue liner excels defensively and plays a straightforward, effective game. Kettles is quick in straight lines, although scouts note his edgework and play in tight spaces could improve. With excellent reach and fearless shot-blocking on the PK, the righty projects as a solid third-pairing defenceman.
Alex Huang: Another right-shot defenceman (a clear focus), this six-foot, 170-pound Chicoutimi Sagueneens player impressed for Team Canada at the U18s. Capable of running a power play, initiating offensive transitions, and joining the rush, Huang posted a respectable 40 points in 64 QMJHL games this season. Notably, he also handles defensive responsibilities well (plus-11).
Spotlight on Last Year`s Top Pick
When fans hear who the 31st overall choice of 2024 is modeling his game after, it should please Leafs Nation.
After getting a taste of NHL camp before captaining the Oshawa Generals in 2024-25, Ben Danford says he’s been trying to emulate Chris Tanev.
“He is someone who blocks a lot of shots, plays the right way, has a really good first pass,” the prospect explained to Leafs Morning Take.
“That was someone going through the draft process last year that I kind of looked up to and saw comparisons in our game on what maybe I could be at the next level. For him to be in Toronto now, and for me to get to meet him at training camp, he’s really cool and a down-to-earth guy, and I hope to learn some stuff off him hopefully soon.”
Essentially, the right-shot Danford emphasizes hard, intelligent defensive play. He brings fearlessness to his shifts and leadership qualities – earning him the 2025 Bobby Orr Defenceman of the Year award.
One aspect where Danford differs from Tanev is his size – which he used effectively to deliver significant hits in open ice during his third season in juniors.
Danford contributed a career-high five goals and 20 assists in the regular season as the Generals made another deep playoff run, ultimately losing to fellow Leafs first-rounder Easton Cowan’s London Knights in the OHL championship.
The Madoc, Ont., native is a longshot to make Toronto’s 2025-26 roster but his developing physical game against minor-league professionals will be interesting to watch soon.
One Bold Prediction
Given that Treliving has limited trade assets and many players with trade protection, a bold prediction would involve pulling off a trade that significantly addresses Toronto’s major need for a center.
A long-shot scenario could see Treliving trading for Nazem Kadri from Calgary, perhaps if Craig Conroy is prioritizing future assets. Alternatively, Treliving might acquire William Karlsson or Tomas Hertl from Vegas if the Golden Knights need to clear salary cap space, potentially to pursue a free agent like Mitch Marner.
A more probable prediction: the Leafs trade their late second-round pick for additional picks in the third round, giving Mark Leach more opportunities for successful selections.
