Leafs' top pick in 2022 says he did some GTA sightseeing, still has one thing to check off his list
The Toronto Maple Leafs did not have a 1st round pick in 2022, as they used it to trade back 13 spots in the draft and rid themselves of the final two years of Petr Mrazek's contract, which carried a $3.8M AAV. With the Buds moving back into the upper end of the 2nd round, they used their 38th overall pick from the Hawks on Kamloops Blazers center Fraser Minten, who they felt was a top-15 talent.
Minten, 18, is among 14 Leafs draft picks who are currently in Toronto, taking part in the team's prospect development camp. Following day one of camp, Minten, a BC native, revealed that he has done some sightseeing while in the area, visiting the CN Tower, traveling to Niagara Falls to take in the view and also checked out a Jays game. Even with all of that, Minten's next comment let you know where his mindset is.
-2022 38th overall pick Fraser Minten on his trip to Toronto
Minten is likely still two years away from challenging for a roster spot, as the feisty young forward just turned 18 earlier this month, but that doesn't mean he's going to take his eye of the prize. The goal in camp is to learn some new tricks to take back with him to the WHL. I'm sure he'll be right back here next summer to do the same.
Minten is a player who really showed tremendous growth over the second half of his 2nd WHL season and during the postseason for the Blazers. He was less than a point per game during the regular season with just 55 points in 67 games, but it's not an indication that he cannot produce. He was at a point per game in the later stages of the season and produced 16 points in 17 playoff games for the Blazers. He's touted as a strong two-way player, with a high hockey IQ and a relentless compete level. If he can expand on all of that and continue to show the same sort of offensive impacts that we saw from him in the second half, he could end up being an absolute steal at #38 overall.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 17 | 390 ANSWERS Leafs' top pick in 2022 says he did some GTA sightseeing, still has one thing to check off his list Could 2022 38th overall pick Fraser Minten surprise everyone and challenge for a roster spot with the Leafs a year early, in 2023-24? | ||
| Yes | 114 | 29.2 % |
| No | 136 | 34.9 % |
| We don't need to rush our prospects | 140 | 35.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
