With Pierre Engvall being called up to the Leafs, to the high pitched scream of delight from Hardev, it’s time to answer that age old question that our readers ask us in droves, every single day...
Who is the best Leafs’ 7th round draft pick of all time?
I think it’s finally time to answer that question, once and for all. I looked at Hockey DB’s database of Leafs draft picks by year, and I looked specifically at the 7th round. I did not include players drafted in later rounds in past years. I’ll start the list with the most recent picks by year, until I got bored and just included guys with any real NHL experience.
2019: Kalle Loponen — still in the OHL
2018: Zachary Bouthillier — still in the QMJHL; Semyon Kizimov — still in the VHL
2017: Ryan O’Connell — still in the NCAA
2016: Nikolai Chebykin — still in the VHL
2015: Nikita Korostelev — in the ECHL, not in the organization anymore.
2014: Pierre Engvall — just called up to the NHL
2013: Andreas Johnsson — 58 points in 104 NHL games
2012: Viktor Loov — 2 points in 4 NHL games, not in the organization anymore
2009: Barron Smith — last played for Tofield Satellites in NCHL in 2015/16
2008: Andrew MacWilliam — still active in AHL, has 12 NHL games in his career
2007: Carl Gunnarsson — 133 points in 594 NHL games, just won a Cup.
2006: none
2005: Anton Stralman — 248 points in 769 NHL games; Chad Rau — 9 NHL games, now playing in Glasgow
2004: Maxim Semenov — still playing in the KHL
2003: Jeremy Williams — 11 points in 32 NHL games, now playing in Germany
1997: Scott Thornton — 102 points in 705 NHL games.
1990: Eric Lacroix — 137 points in 472 NHL games.
No other Leaf player drafted in the 7th round had more than a handful of NHL games in their entire careers. So the lesson we should learn here is: always pick a Swede with your 7th round pick!
Also, the correct answer is Anton Stralman. Sorry Hardev! Engvall has some ways to go still.
ONTO THE LINKS
Maple Leafs call up Pierre Engvall, put Trevor Moore on IR | by Katya, since Hardev just doesn’t like Engvall as much as he pretends to do it himself.
"It’s a dream come true. So happy."
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 19, 2019
Pierre Engvall discusses being recalled in today's Practice Report. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/xlhUfWomNy
PPP Roundtable: Sober reflections on the state of the Maple Leafs | by the collective PPP hivemind
Back to Excited Episode 81: Quarter Season Grades | by Arvind and Fulemin
Bob McKenzie: “I don’t believe for a moment that the Toronto Maple Leafs are eager to fire Mike Babcock” | a TSN radio transcript by MLHS
Chris Johnston with comments on Tyson Barrie:
Chris Johnston on SN650: On Barrie not fitting in with the Leafs: "I think they might flip him at some point but I don't think they're there yet."
— James (@Account4hockey) November 18, 2019
Barrie has admitted that the contract year has affected him. The team internally feels like the blue line has let them down.
New plan: trade Barrie to the Flyers for JvR, flip prospects/forward depth for TVR, and watch the fireworks emitted from Species’ apartment.
AROUND THE HOCKEY WORLD
Canadiens lose Drouin, Byron for ‘weeks’ with surgeries scheduled | by TSN
Bettman, Daly honored in Toronto by Business of Hockey Institute | by NHL.com, because why wouldn’t they be?
Goin’ well in Calgary...
Tkachuk had some really strong comments tonight: "It's disgusting. It's bad. It's bad right now. We need to change this around ... something's gotta change here. We've gotta get back to the old us and get out of this little funk here because this is not fun."
— Kristen Anderson (@KdotAnderson) November 18, 2019
Want to watch adults lose their damn mind about something completely trivial? Read the replies to this:
Beginning in the 2020-21 season, the names of age divisions at every level of minor hockey will be simplified – Novice to U9, Atom to U11, Peewee to U13, and so on.
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) November 18, 2019
READ ⬇️
Shirokov pulling the Kucherov:
OH NO HE DIDN'T pic.twitter.com/0F9oQSLvwf
— KHL (@khl_eng) November 18, 2019
The Cory Schneider era looks to be over in New Jersey... turns out the Canucks did win that trade. Who knew!
Cory Schneider on waivers at noon @NJDevils
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) November 18, 2019
Some fun went on in the Caps-Ducks game last night:
#ALLCAPS Garnet Hathaway gets a match penalty for spitting on #LetSGoDucks Erik Gudbranson. pic.twitter.com/TnU91jjGJ5
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@HeresYourReplay) November 19, 2019
Have a happy Tuesday everyone!
Who was the Leafs’ best 7th round pick ever?
Andreas Johnsson | 43 |
Carl Gunnarson | 30 |
Anton Stralman | 88 |
Pierre Engvall | 6 |