From Maple Leaf Square to Broadway — Nashville edition.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, along with the NHL’s 31 other teams, descend on Nashville for the 2023 NHL Draft this week. And for Canada’s team, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate.
They have a new general manager in town and, more importantly, reached the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2004. Toronto even notched a win in the second round, but fell to the Panthers in five games.
For new general manager Brad Treliving, he won't be at Toronto's draft table until Calgary makes their first round selection, per a condition in his contract. Treliving is still under contract with his former employer, the Calgary Flames — who granted him permission to interview for other jobs.
On the bright side, the Leafs GM won't have to be concerned about being busy at the draft table. With a roster that is largely expected to remain the same, Toronto holds only three picks heading into Wednesday.
MORE: NHL Draft Big Board 2023: Ranking the top 100 prospects
Here's a look at the Maple Leafs picks in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Maple Leafs draft picks 2023: When does Toronto pick?
Toronto is slated to pick at No. 28 on day one before waiting until pick No. 153 to make its second selection — which will come on day two. There aren't many holes in the Maple Leafs lineup that can be fixed immediately in the draft as the team continues its "win now" method of roster building.
- Round 1, Pick No. 28: Easton Cowan, RW, London Knights
- Round 5, Pick No. 153: Hudson Malinoski, C, Brooks
- Round 6, Pick No. 185: Noah Chadwick, D, Lethbridge
Maple Leafs 2023 NHL Draft order
The Leafs have been wheeling and dealing their draft picks in an effort to bring a Stanley Cup home to Canada. It hasn't worked. Regardless, they keep swinging and this year's picks went out the door for players like Ryan O'Reilly and Mark Giordano, among others.
| Round | Pick (Overall) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 28 |
| 5 | 153 |
| 6 | 185 |
Maple Leafs NHL Draft biggest need
Toronto has never had trouble scoring. The Leafs have had trouble preventing the opposition from scoring. While defence is a concern moving forward and could use an overhaul, the centre depth in the system needs attention as well.
One of the biggest issues with trading so many draft picks is that there are fewer opportunities to solidify the prospect pipeline. If disaster strikes and Auston Matthews bolts for a new team in the near future, Toronto is left without a Plan B. Of course, expecting any prospect to replace Matthews' production remains a pipe dream.
Regardless, expect centre and defence to be the focus in Nashville.
Maple Leafs first-round mock draft 2023
Here is the latest prediction for who the Maple Leafs will pick with the No. 28 selection in this year's draft.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | Otto Stenberg | C | Frölunda HC (J20 Nationell) |