With the end of the second round of the NHL Playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs now know for sure when they will be selecting for the upcoming 2015 NHL Draft. Their own pick ended up fourth overall with the results of the NHL Draft Lottery nearly one month ago, but it was not certain where the pick acquired from the Nashville Predators in the February deal for Cody Franson/Mike Santorelli would end up.
The Predators first round loss to the Chicago Blackhawks determined that the pick would be anywhere from 21st to 26th overall, but the failure of teams higher in the standings in the regular season than Nashville to be eliminated in the second round determined the Preds top pick 24th overall.
According to the final rankings of NHL Central Scouting , the 24th pick would be defenseman Ryan Pilon, nephew of former NHL enforcer Rich Pilon, who scored 11 goals and 41 assists for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League, but Central Scouting’s list does not include European prospects on the same list.
McKeen’s Hockey’s Scott Wheeler ranks 17-year-old Jansen Harkins 24th overall. As with 2012 top pick Morgan Rielly, Harkins is a native of Vancouver, BC and scored 20 goals and 59 assists in 70 games for the WHL’s Prince George Cougars.
Another potential target could be winger Nick Merkley, who led Kelowna with 90 points(20 goals, 70 assists) during the WHL regular season and 27 points in the Rockets run to the Memorial Cup.
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It does not sound if there will a quick decision regarding the Maple Leafs vacant GM position. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Director of Player Personnel Mark Hunter and Assistant GM Kyle Dubas have been making phone calls and inquiries regarding potential trades consistent with those made by a general manager.
Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons indicated on TSN 1050 Radio Thursday morning that a new GM may not be in place until after the draft, because it will be difficult to hire someone away from another club in the weeks leading up to the draft.
This may mean that Toronto has their eyes on someone currently attached to an NHL team, like LA Kings VP of Hockey Operations Mike Futa, NY Rangers Asst GM Jeff Gorton or Tampa assistants Julien Brisebois or Pat Verbeek and no interest in former Washington Capitals GM George McPhee.
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Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner was a central figure in USA’s 3-1 victory over Switzerland at the World Championships on Thursday, scoring an important insurance goal in the third period:
GIF: USA now up 3-1 in the 3rd period pic.twitter.com/dpksDYWnVb
— Stephanie Vail (@myregularface) May 14, 2015But……it wouldn’t be Gardiner if there wasn't a defensive faux pas, as you see here on Roman Josi’s rush:
GIF Josi goal pic.twitter.com/rg0cCopSoA
— Stephanie Vail (@myregularface) May 14, 2015*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******
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