The Maple Leafs acquired the 31st and 58th picks in the NHL Draft by moving down eight spots.
The Maple Leafs acquired the 31st and 58th picks in the NHL Draft by moving down eight spots.
LAS VEGAS — When he held his media availability on Wednesday, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving indicated that the club was looking at the possibility of acquiring more draft capital.
They got it in the form of the Anaheim Ducks by moving the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft in exchange for the 31st and 58th overall picks.
The Leafs used the 31st pick to select defensive prospect Ben Danford from the Oshawa Generals
"We're always having that discussion and in my opinion, the more bullets the better," Map[e Leafs Director of Amateur Scouting said. "It doesn't matter who you like, you can't predict the future, so choose who you like and the more bullets you have the better your situation you are in."
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Heading into Friday's draft, the Maple Leafs held the 23rd overall pick and then weren't in a position to make another selection until the 120th, due to trading their second and third-round selections in trades.
By moving down eight spots, the Maple Leafs can get a late second-round selection as a result of the move.
Last year, the Leafs selected 28th and took Easton Cowan. Although the prospect hasn't played in the NHL as of yet, he's coming off a remarkable campaign with the London Knights, that saw him take home OHL MVP honors.
Of course, if there was a player the Leafs really wanted at 23 that they felt they had to have, they probably would have held onto the selection.
More to come...
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