Prospect exploding offensively mere months after falling to the Leafs in the 3rd round of this year's draft
After a trio of less than impressive drafts from 2015-2017, the Leafs really began to turn things around when Kyle Dubas took over the drafting duties in Toronto in 2018.
After producing little in the way of NHL talent outside of the first rounds in 2015, 2016 and 2017, Dubas took over as GM in Toronto over Lou Lamoriello, resulting in both Lamoriello and AGM Mark Hunter (who was responsible for the drafts during his run) both departing the organization.
So far, Dubas has drafted 30 players from 2018-2021, with several picks outside of the first round appearing to be legitimate NHL prospects, including:
2019 - Nick Robertson, Mikko Kokkonen, Nick Abruzzese
2020 - Roni Hirvonen, Topi Niemela, Artur Akhtyamov, William Villeneuve, Dmitry Ovchinnikov, Ryan Tverberg
This, of course, does not include the 2022 draft class, which boasts the likes of Fraser Minten, Nick Moldenhauer, Dennis Hildeby, Nikita Grebenkin and Brandon Lisowsky.
Well, Dubas appears to have done it again, as both Minten and Moldenhauer look like legit NHL prospects. The former had a sensational camp with the Leafs, impressing everyone from the coaching staff to his linemates and the Leafs' leadership group, including captain John Tavares. The latter was not at training camp, but is putting together a MASSIVE season in the USHL this year.
Moldenhauer is not only over a point per game with the Chicago Steel this season with 9 points in just 6 games, but he's also more than a goal per game, having notched 7 goals over that same span.
The Mississauga, ON native was selected by the Leafs in the 3rd round (95th overall) of this year's draft. He was originally the 39th ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. A relentless worker with great hands and solid finishing ability, Moldenhauer appears to be a good one. Hopefully he can continue to build on an impressive start to his season and perhaps he'll be one of the names we see pop up on the Leafs' training camp roster next fall.
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