NOTE: If I haven't seen a prospect play or don't have enough notes, I will not be discussing them.
Draft Review: Montreal Canadiens
Continuing along with the Canadian teams and their draft weekends, Toronto also came away with a surprisingly good haul of young players to add to it's organization. While many fans of the blue and white may be disappointed in the fact that a top end forward was not in the cards for Brian Burke, they can take solace in the fact that they've come away with a blue chip prospect.
5th Overall - Morgan Rielly
Likely the highest upside of all the defensemen in the 2012 NHL Draft, Toronto does assume some risk, as Rielly missed most of his draft year, much like the Habs' Alex Galchenyuk. Rielly brings mobility from the back end, and the ability to change the pace of the game.
Full Report Here.
35th Overall - Matt Finn
Seen by most of the scouting world as a first round talent, Matt Finn somehow slipped to the early 2nd round, where Toronto had hoped to take either a goalie or a power forward. But the upside of one Matt Finn forced their hand. A local boy, Finn adds intelligence to the back end, along with good power play instincts and a growing two-way game.
Full Report Here.
156th Overall - Connor Brown
Following the departure of Leaf prospect, Greg McKegg, to the London Knights, Brown took up the mantle as leading scorer for the Otters. Brown is an offensive forward who combines an understanding of the developing play with soft hands and instinctual passing to be a threat from the outside. Undersized, Brown was a league worst -72 on an Otters team that won only 10 games. He'll look to improve upon his defensive game.
157th Overall - Ryan Rupert
A personal favorite of mine, Rupert is a hard nosed center with a short frame at five-foot-ten. Most known for his slash to the stomach of Flyers prospect, Nick Cousins, Rupert was a big player on the OHL Champion London Knights, seeing time on the penalty kill and power play. Rupert is a smart player with gifted puck skills. He's used as a distributor along the half wall on London's PP, and will go hard to the net looking for lose pucks. He's a hated opponent, who hacks and whacks at every opportunity, and let's you know he's there. Rupert will take on anybody and shows no fear. A potential Top Nine pest, in the mold of a Brad Marchand, Ryan Rupert will have his twin brother, Matt, along for the ride at leafs development camp this week.
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