"Fail for Nail".... Five Prospects the Leafs Should Draft

Nail Yakupov

Today is March 14th 2012... Its hard to believe that with such success early on in the season I am even writing this post at all. With the Leafs all but eliminated from the playoffs it is time to look forward to next season. Gosh that hurts, I really thought this was the year. In this blog I will be outlining 5 top prospects the Leafs should pursue in the up coming NHL entry draft. You will notice a trend of centers as I feel filling this position is essential to being successful in the up coming years.

5. Defenceman, Ryan Murray

Ryan Murray

Age: 19
Shoots: Left
Height: 6'
Weight: 185 lbs
Country: Canada
NHL Comparison: Scott Neidermayer
Scouting Report: Surprisingly, the only Canadian on the list this year. Murray is most certainly a top 5 pick in this years draft, considered by some as a top 2. Murray is a strong, defensively sound player that is never out of position. Possibly Ryans greatest asset is his leadership qualities and is considered by many to be a future Captain  of an NHL team.


4. Winger, Filip Forsberg

Filip Forsberg

Age: 17
Shoots: Right

Height: 6'1
Weight: 176 lbs
Country: Sweden
NHL Comparison: Loui Eriksson
Scouting Report: touted as the best draft eligible player not currently in North America, Filip has decent size and elite level speed. What sets Forsberg apart is his shot. at only 17 years of age Filip already plays profesional hockey in the Swedish elite league which proves he can play with men, and be successful.



3. Center, Alex Galchenyuk

Alex Galchenyuk

Age: 18
Shoots: Left

Height: 6'01
Weight: 185 lbs
Country: Russia
NHL Comparison: Jonathan Toews
Scouting Report: This is my sleeper pick for this up coming draft. Galchenyuk should be 2nd over all right behing Yakupov, if it wasn't for the season ending injury he suffered. For this reason he will be overlooked by many scouts. Galchenyuk, although has Russian citizenship, he was born in America and plays a north american game, one the Burke will like. Defensively responsible, a great skater with good hands.



2. Center, Mikhail Grigorenko

Mikhail Grigorenko

Age: 18
Shoots: Left

Height: 6'02
Weight: 191 lbs
Country: Russia
NHL Comparison: Joe Thornton
Scouting Report: Grigorenko fits the bill for what the leafs need. He is a highly skilled center with good size. at nearly 200 lbs he could fit in on any virtually right away. What Mikhail is best know for is his hockey sense and IQ and makes very little mistakes, often in the right place at the right time. He curently has 84 points in just 57 games in the QMJHL.



1. Winger, Nail Yakupov

Nail Yakupov

Age: 19
Shoots: Left

Height: 5'10
Weight: 170 lbs
Country: Russia
NHL Comparison: Pavel Bure
Scouting Report: Easily the top pick in the draft this year. Small in stature, standing under 6 feet tall and 170 lbs Nail is know for playing bigger than he is. He is very elusive and has insane skill. The leafs will have to get lucky and win the draft lottery to have a chance at this talent.