Did Kyle Dubas just tip his hand for the upcoming draft on social media?
There are a lot of intriguing prospects that may be available in the upcoming draft when the Leafs step up to the podium to announce the 25th pick, should they keep it and not move up or down, perhaps none more interesting than Brad Lambert.
Lambert is a Fin/Canadian dual citizen who was born in Lahti, Finland on December 19, 2003. At just 18 years old, Lambert has already played 3 seasons in SM-liiga, Finland's top league, and was a standout at the 2021 World Junior tournament at 17. Lambert really took off in the 2022 World Junior tournament, recording 5 points in 2 games before the tournament was cancelled.
The 6-foot winger/center is expected to go anywhere from 8th and 42nd, depending on which draft rankings you go by. Dobber Prospects currently has Lambert as their #30 pick, while Consolidated Ranking has him at #13. Everyone's favourite partially retired insider, Bob McKenzie has Lambert at #11.
Why is any of this relevant? Well, because of a write-up from The Athletic's Scott Wheeler on Lambert. And why is that relevant? Well, because Leafs GM Kyle Dubas liked the tweet.
While simply liking a tweet about a prospect is hardly proof that Dubas is looking to select the young forward at next week's draft, there is something interesting to note here. He has not liked any tweets about any other propects. Not a single one.
Given the fact that Lambert is likely to go much higher than the Leafs' 25th pick, if Dubas truly is high on the young Canadian-Fin, he may have to move up in order to get him.. unless Dubas knows something that the rest of us don't about Lambert's draft stock.
Honestly, with the number of prospects that the Leafs interviewed at the draft combine and with some of the names on the various draft rankings that could slip, it's really anyone's guess as to who the Leafs will select. The good news is that we won't have to wait too long to find out.
