Meet the newest maple leafs
Dave Morrison was happy.
Heading into the NHL Entry Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs were without first- and second-round picks. That meant Morrison and the other teams scouts would have to wait around while all the players the team coveted went elsewhere. It was expected to be a frustrating two days.
But that changed when GM Brian Burke acquired the Chicago Blackhawks second-round selection (43rd overall) in exchange for prospect Jimmy Hayes (originally drafted 30th overall in 2008). With the pick, Toronto drafted agitating forward Brad Ross, a player Morrison had coveted as a potential first-round choice.
It was a tough deal for us to make, said Morrison, the Leafs director of amateur scouting. Obviously, we like Jimmy as a prospect as well. But to get something you have to give something up. And we didnt have a player like Ross. So were really pleased.
Along with Ross, here are the six other prospects Toronto added to its organization:
BRAD ROSS 43rd
LW, Portland (WHL)
6-feet, 175 pounds
GP: 71 G: 27 A: 41 PTS: 68
The Skinny: A Darcy Tucker clone who racked up 203 penalty minutes while playing on a line with Ryan Johansen (fourth overall) Nino Niederreiter (fifth overall).
Morrison Says: Hes a special type of player. Its really tough to find a guy that can play that kind of game and score goals. This guy can play. Plus, hes in your face and he can be nasty And with him its not a case of turning it on and off. The switch is always on with him.
GREG McKEGG 62nd
C, Erie (OHL)
6-feet, 191 pounds
GP: 67 G: 37 A: 48 PTS: 85
The Skinny: Rocketed up the rankings after the OHL standout, who was player of the month in February, improved point totals from 18 in 2008-09 to 85 last season.
Morrison Says: Hes an offensive player. Tremendous improvement from his first year in junior to his last year. A very intelligent player. Thinks the game well very offensively. Were looking at him as a potential top-six forward.
SONDRE OLDEN 79th
LW, MoDo (Swe-Jr.)
6-foot-3, 172 pounds
GP: 32 G: 7 A: 20 PTS: 27
The Skinny: The native of Oslo, Norway is viewed as an off the board gamble. But European scout Thommie Bergman believes Olden could develop into a special player.
Morrison Says: Hes a real projection pick. Hes almost underage. He was born two weeks before the underage deadline. So hes young, but hes a big kid almost 6-foot-4 and he can skate and has skill. Hes going to have to get a lot stronger. But theres a lot of potential there if he can reach it. Thats always the question mark.
PETTER GRANBERG 116th
D, Skelleftea (Swe-Jr.)
6-foot-3, 200 pounds
GP: 40 G: 2 A: 7 PTS: 9
The Skinny: A defensive defenceman, Granberg looks and plays a game that is similar to Carl Gunnarsson.
Morrison Says: Hes got to get stronger, but you could say that about all the guys. Good skater, hes got size, got all the intangibles. I really like him as a person. The Euro scouts played a big role in this pick.
SAM CARRICK 144th
C, Brampton (OHL)
6-feet, 188 pounds
GP: 66 G: 21 A: 21 PTS: 42
The Skinny: The Stouffville native, who led his team in penalty minutes (96) and finished second in scoring, said, every time the Leafs turn came around, Id get a little nervous, hoping theyd pick me.
Morrison Says: Hes right in our backyard. Hes not afraid to mix it up when he has to. He has potential leadership qualities with the way he plays the game. Hes going to get a lot of ice time with Brampton in the next couple of years. Its a good place for him to develop.
DANIEL BRODIN 146th
RW, Djurgarden (Swe)
6-foot-1, 172 pounds
GP: 30 G: 2 A: 3 PTS: 5
The Skinny: The 20-year-old is probably the closest of the picks to being fully developed. He played a full season in the Swedish Elite League.
Morrison Says: Lots and lots of speed. A very competitive player. Hes going to have to work on his skills a little bit, but hes ultra competitive. Just tons of speed. He might not have the finishing ability. But he has the potential to be an energy guy.
JOSH NICHOLLS 182nd
C, Saskatoon (WHL)
6-foot-2, 174 pounds
GP: 71 G: 18 A: 30 PTS: 48
The Skinny: A two-way player, he was rated the 93rd best North American skater by NHL Central Scouting.
Morrison Says: Hes a very good skater with skill. Has size potential. Still has some wait to put on. But he has offensive ability. Hes not a finished product. Still has a ways to go weight wise. You know, my western guys really liked him, so we thought it was a wise pick at that time. The last two guys, skating ability was the big.
Read more: http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010.../#ixzz0s5NSU2WG
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Last edited by Moral Hazard on Apr-26-2011 at 07:48
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