Rankings that project who will be selected with Leafs pick

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The 2020 NHL Draft poses a number of questions for the Toronto Maple Leafs, as there have been a wide swath of names projected to be selected with their pick at #15. There is a distinct difference between a mock draft and rankings, since the mock projects teams selecting for areas of need and a draft list places players in order of quality.

The Leafs have not ruled out the possibility of trading the pick acquired from Pittsburgh in the Kasperi Kapanen deal if it needed in a trade for a defenseman, but if they keep the pick and stay where they are, here is who a variety of draft lists have slotted to go 15th overall.

Elite Prospects

: RW - Drummondville/Chicoutimi(QMJHL)

The 6’0…, 179 lb winger picks apart on-the-puck defenders in much the same way an elite NFL quarterback breaks down defensive coverages -- one read, one component at a time. Mercer deploys a wide array of false signals to trick defenders out of space, to pivot one direction with every intention of quickly transferring his weight in the opposite one.

Craig Button of TSN

Tyson Foerster: C - Barrie – OHL

The 18-year-old center had a breakout season with the Colts, leading them in goals (36) and points (80), and is described as an excellent playmaker with a powerful shot.

McKeen’s Hockey

Braden Schneider – Brandon(WHL)

A prospect that many project the Leafs to take in the middle of the first, Schneider is a physical, hard-hitting right-handed defenseman with good mobility who nearly doubled his offensive totals (7 goals, 35 assists) in his third full season in the WHL.

Hockey Prospect

Lukas Reichel: LW – Eisbaren Berlin(DEL)

The nephew of former Leaf Robert Reichel, the speedy winger is excellent at both ends of the ice and scored three goals for Germany in the 2020 World Junior.

Sportsology

Jake Sanderson: D – US Nat’l Development Program

Good NHL bloodlines (the son of former NHLer Geoff), Sanderson has size, speed, an excellent shot and good hockey IQ and is ranked along with Jamie Drysdale as the top defensemen in the draft, which likely means he will be selected before Toronto’s pick comes up.

Chris Peters of ESPN

Seth Jarvis: C/RW – Portland(WHL)

Finished second in WHL scoring with 98 points, which was a 59 point increase the previous year. The 18-year-old doesn't have great size (5’10…, 178 lbs) but has speed and a high skill set, which are attributes that Leafs GM Kyle Dubas likes.

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