Toronto Maple Leafs' draft position in 2024 officially locked in

There aren't many silver-linings in the Toronto Maple Leafs losing to the Boston Bruins in the first round. However, if you're looking hard to try to find one, the Leafs will be drafting 5 spots higher than they did at last year's NHL Entry Draft, officially locked in at pick #23, 1 spot behind the Nashville Predators.

Over the years, there have been some solid prospects taken in the #23 spot or later. Last year, the Rangers nabbed Gabriel Perreault with the 23rd overall pick. Quentin Musty of the Sudbury Wolves was taken just a few spots later at #26 by the San Jose Sharks, and we've all seen the season he had this year, so there was some value there at #23 to be sure.

In the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, the St. Louis Blues nabbed Jimmy Snuggerud at #23. Of course, many will recognize Snuggerud as a teammate of Matthew Knies' at the University of Minnesota.

In 2021, the Dallas Stars used pick #23 on Wyatt Johnston, and we've all seen the impact he's had in Dallas, scoring the Game 7 winner to eliminate the Vegas Golden Knights from this year's playoffs.

Among the more notable former 23rd overall picks who have gone on to have solid NHL careers, the Vancouver Canucks picked up Brock Boeser at #23 back in 2015. Stanley Cup Champion, Andre Burakovsky was selected at #23 back in 2013. Going back a little further, goaltender Semyon Varlamov was picked up by the Capitals at 23rd overall back in 2006. In 2003, regarded as one of the best drafts in NHL history, Ryan Kesler was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in that 23 spot.

Last year, the Leafs picked up Easton Cowan at #28, so the hope is that Wes Clark and the scouting staff in Toronto have another solid target lined up in that #23 range. There's also the possibility that the Leafs opt to trade down and acquire more picks in the draft. We'll see how it all unfolds next month in Las Vegas.