NHL Draft: Dylan Strome Boosts Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs hold a very interesting NHL Draft position with the fourth overall pick. While in need of a long-term rebuild, the Leafs hire arguably the best coach on the market in Mike Babcock. Hiring that coaching brings expectations which will only rise should they draft the leading scorer in the OHL.

No, the Toronto Maple Leafs will not be trading up to steal Connor McDavid from the Edmonton Oilers. He was outscored by Dylan Strome, whom will be there to take after McDavid, Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin are likely off the NHL Draft board, though the closer the NHL Draft gets the move movement there is in mock drafts.

A few weeks ago I did a spotlight on Hanifin going third overall in the NHL Draft to the Arizona Coyotes. The third pick is now projected to be Dylan Strome, the 6’3” center ranked fourth overall by NHL Central Scouting. Here is the low down on Strome from mynhldraft.com.

"Strome is the big offensive centre every team covets at drafts and is a sure fire top ten pick; if not top five come June in Florida. Strome has excellent playmaking abilities as evident as he led the OHL in assists with 84 and makes pro level passes making sound decisions that seldom lead to turnovers. Strome can hold possession of the puck for long stretches using his puck-handling skills, reach and size effectively to protect the puck and draw in opposition that leads to open teammates. Strome has good skating skills, balance and agility are strengths but top speed is wanting for a higher gear."

That description made me think of Adam Oates and his ability to deliver pinpoint passes, yet was a threat to score as well. The speed can be improved with a good conditioning and training program which Strome will get at the next level.

The best part about Strome going to the Toronto Maple Leafs will be the time he gets to develop. There is no reason to rush him to the NHL given the complete tear-down they will go through. He can develop that top-end speed while getting bigger and stronger for the NHL game.

Yes, I still think much of the talk around Hanifin dropping down the draft board is just that. You’re going to hear more chirping about teams looking to get into the top five, what it would take to do so, and players sliding all over the board based on rumors and things most of us can’t tell is fact or fiction.

The Toronto Maple Leafs would be delighted to take Strome with the fourth pick in the NHL Draft given where they are at center. Tyler Bozak is the top center and beyond him there isn’t enough production. Nazem Kadri may be a target for teams at the deadline. The Maple Leafs themselves said they’d trade him over one year ago.

The Toronto Maple Leafs need a big-time playmaking center that is ready to step in after the next few tough years. Dylan Strome is that player. Of course there are other needs on a team on the brink of major changes but if you don’t score goals, you don’t win games. Strome will be leading the Toronto Maple Leafs to several wins after the NHL Draft, just not in the next year or two.

Next: Connor McDavid To Be Great Quickly? Not So Fast

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