We’ve already had a couple of the slam dunk prospects taken off the board, as Connor McDavid went to Edmonton, Jack Eichel went to Buffalo, and Noah Hanifin went to Arizona. Now, there starts to be some decisions to be made, as there are a number of prospects who could be taken with the fourth pick that would make sense.
Toronto in possession of this pick, and Brendan Shanahan will be looking to add another key prospect to their cupboard. So, with the fourth overall pick in the LBC Mock Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs select:
Dylan Strome – C Erie Otters
Though Strome played most of the season on his team’s second line, it doesn’t mean that he isn’t an elite prospect; his team’s number one center was McDavid, who went first overall to the Oilers in this mock draft. Despite the fact that he didn’t receive tons of ice time like other top prospects, the Ontario native managed to put up 129 points in 68 regular season games, as well as 22 points in 20 playoff games.
Toronto already has quality prospects at wing in the form of William Nylander, Connor Brown, Andreas Johnson, and Brendan Leipsic. At the center position, however, the only have prospects with lower ceilings; Frederik Gauthier and Carter Verhaeghe don’t really project to be above second or third line players. Adding Strome gives the team that first line center of the future that teams build championships off of, and will pay dividends in the future when Nylander and Strome tear apart opposing defenses.
From the scouts:
“Elite offensive forward…a big forward who moves well, and demonstrated some very good power and speed…is tough to contain as he used his speed, strength and creativity to beat defenders…has great vision with the puck and sees the ice very well…uses his crafty hands to dance around defenders and get into positions where he could shoot or set-up teammates…distributes the puck well and is able to create a lot of chances…has a lethal wrist-shot with great power and a pretty good release…uses his size and reach on the boards to win the puck and get in good supporting areas to pick up loose pucks…defensive effort goes up and down. (August 2014)” – Future Considerations
“A smart, good skating, center who can not only make plays but can finish them also. Reads the play so very well and he gets himself into positions where he can take advantage and be a threat. He’s multi-dimensional in that he can play two-ways, can play a skill game, can play a ‘heavy’ game but regardless of the situations he plays a game where he contributes in some way, some fashion.” – Craig Button, TSN
The Carolina Hurricanes go next, in the meantime check some footage of Strome in action: