The Oilers help the Leafs secure a higher draft position in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft
The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves the beneficiaries of a very controversial Oilers win on Thursday night, after a goal by Flames winger Blake Coleman was called back because of a kicking motion with a little over 5 minutes remaining in the game. There wasn't much of anything to speak of in terms of a kick, which makes the officials' decision a very confusing one. Nevertheless, with the Oilers defeating the Flames in 5, the Leafs find themselves with a better pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Prior to the Oilers' win in Calgary on Thursday, the Leafs were owners of the 27th overall pick in the draft. However, because the Oilers snuck past the Flames, and are moving on to round 3, the Leafs' pick has now been bumped up to the 26th overall pick. I'm sure Kyle Dubas and company would have preferred the 32nd overall pick, but I digress.
The Leafs' 1st rounder can improve twice more, should the St. Louis Blues come back and win their series against the Avs and the Rangers come back and win their series against the Hurricanes. If those two outcomes come to fruition, the Leafs will wind up picking 24th overall.
The pick, regardless of where it happens for Kyle Dubas and company could yet be moved on draft day, unless of course the Leafs find themselves in a position where a player of their liking has slipped down to them at 24th-26th. Otherwise, I'd imagine that since Dubas only has 3 picks in this draft (1st round, 3rd round, 7th round), he'll probably look to trade down to acquire additional picks, as we've seen from this group in the past.
| POLL | ||
MAI 27 | 264 ANSWERS The Oilers help the Leafs secure a higher draft position in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft Should the Leafs hang onto their 1st rounder and draft the best player available, or trade down to acquire more picks? | ||
| Trade down | 46 | 17.4 % |
| Take the best player available | 128 | 48.5 % |
| Trade the pick in a deal for a good player | 90 | 34.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
