Yes, I know the 2012 NHL Playoffs are currently going on, but once again, I'll be talking about the draft.
Last week the draft lottery took place - unfortunately for Blue Jackets fans, they lost the #1 overall pick to the Oilers. The Maple Leafs stayed where they ended the season, and that is with the 5th pick.
Before the Leafs pick, I fully expect Yakupov, Grigorenko and Murray to be taken...although there is a slight chance Murray falls. The most realistic scenario at #5 would be Sarnia Sting centre, Alex Galchenyuk, to be taken. He is a solid two-way centre and has good offensive ability. Most of all, he fills our need of a centreman.
While I don't expect him to make an immediate impact, as he will probably be sent back to junior, he is not far off from being NHL ready. Then again, outside of the three names I mentioned earlier, you could argue no one is really NHL ready.
IF the Maple Leafs draft him, I could see him potentially up the year after, when Tim Connolly's contract expires.
Our second option is Fillip Forsberg, who played in Sweden this past year. He is a physical, skilled winger, who is very offensively gifted. The downside is that Toronto has an excess of wingers, so if the decision was between him and Galchenyuk, you'd have to think Burkie would take Galchenyuk.
I mentioned him earlier, but there is a long shot chance that Ryan Murray could fall to 5. If that potentially happened, even with the Maple Leafs vast defensive depth, they must take him. He is head and shoulders the best defenseman in the draft and he would solidify out D core. It could also allow us to trade a defenseman or two for forwards.
Overall, it will be a very interesting few months in the prospect world.
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