Maple Leafs draft eight players with one important thing in common

Emphasizing size in their selections. This pivot from the strategy of former GM Kyle Dubas, who favored smaller, skillful players, marks a significant shift in the Leafs' team-building philosophy.

Dubas's tenure saw the drafting of numerous smaller players, a strategy that produced mixed results. Many of these players have yet to prove they can handle the physical demands of the NHL, leaving some doubt about their future impact. In contrast, Treliving's draft choices this weekend clearly prioritized physical stature, with every drafted player standing at least 6'1" tall. This move aims to infuse the Leafs' prospect pool with the size needed to compete in the NHL.

Draft Highlights and Prospects
The Leafs made a total of eight picks, all of whom bring considerable size to the table:

Ben Danford: 6'2"
Victor Johansson: 6'2"
Miroslav Holinka: 6'1"
Alexander Pleskovskikh: 6'2"
Timofei Obvintsev: 6'4"
Matthew Lahey: 6'5"
Sam McCue: 6'2"
Nathan Mayes: 6'4"

This selection strategy resulted in an impressive average height of nearly 6'3" across all picks, a deliberate attempt to address the size deficit in the Leafs' roster.

Among these, some players like Victor Johansson are considered projects but hold promise for future development. Treliving's approach to the draft was influenced by the need to replenish the prospect pool after significant draft capital was traded away during Dubas's last attempts to push for a deep playoff run.

The effectiveness of these draft choices will only be fully known in the coming years. However, the immediate impact is clear: the Leafs are positioning themselves to be a tougher team to play against, with increased size across all positions. This strategic shift could potentially enhance their competitiveness in the physically demanding NHL environment.

This new direction in the Leafs' drafting strategy under Brad Treliving signals a bold, physical shift for the team's future, which fans and analysts alike will watch with keen interest.

Source: Elite Prospects
Ben Danford's draft profile