Toronto Maple Leafs: Top 2012 Draft Needs, Targeted Prospects and Predictions

The Toronto Maple Leafs failed to make the playoffs for the seventh straight season this year, which is currently the longest postseason drought in the league. They hold the No. 5 overall pick in the 2012 NHL draft.

While the biggest need for the Leafs is upgrading their talent at the goaltending position, they won't address that weakness with their first-round pick. Instead, they will look for a top-line star, preferably a No. 1 center.

Defense is also an area of need for the Leafs, and there will be several quality young blueliners available to general manager Brian Burke at pick No. 5.

The Leafs will have a lot of choices when it's their turn to pick, and it's a selection that will have a significant impact on the future of the franchise.

Let's look at what the Leafs' draft needs are, which prospects they may target and predictions for their first-round pick.

Biggest Needs

As mentioned above, the biggest needs for the Leafs heading into the summer are goaltending, a No. 1 center and defense, in that order.

There aren't any goaltenders worthy of a top-10 pick in this year's draft class, so look for the Leafs to target an offensively gifted center or a strong defenseman.

The lack of a big center is an issue for the Leafs because they need someone who can give the team some more physicality on the top lines.

In a division where every team has a good goalie, it's important that the Leafs defend well. For most of this season, the Leafs defensemen played poorly, which is one reason why the team ranked 29th in goals against and 28th in penalty killing.

Drafting a stud defenseman such as Ryan Murray would be a smart move for the Leafs.

Departing Players

Below is a chart of the notable players for the Leafs who are free agents this summer, according to Capgeek:

Player	Position	UFA/RFA	2011-12 Salary Cap Hit	Age
Nikolai Kulemin	RW	RFA	$2.35 million	25
Matt Frattin	RW	RFA	$1.3 million	24
Jonas Gustavsson	G	UFA	$1.35 million	27
Ben Scrivens	G	RFA	$600,000	25

Next summer is the offseason where a number of the Leafs' important players are free agents. But this summer, there aren't many key players with expiring deals.

None of the players listed above has to be kept. Although, either Gustavsson or Scrivens would be a good backup, so I expect one of the two to re-sign. Scrivens is younger and would cost less, so I imagine he would be kept.

The Leafs don't have any players to worry about re-signing this summer, which is one less problem Burke will have to address in the coming months.

Draft Analysis

There are two No. 1-caliber centers at the top of this year's draft class. They are Mikhail Grigorenko of Quebec (QMJHL) and Alex Galchenyuk of Sarnia (OHL).

Much like former Sarnia star center Steven Stamkos, Galchenyuk is a brilliant scorer who puts the puck in the net on a consistent basis. The Leafs certainly need more scoring from the center position, which makes Galchenyuk a good fit. Grigorenko is more of a playmaker than Galchenyuk, and he has better passing skills.

Ryan Murray of the Everett Silvertips in the WHL would probably be the best defenseman for the Leafs because of his two-way game, but I can't imagine the Leafs passing on one of the two centers previously mentioned.

Best Fit

The best fit for the Leafs is Grigorenko because he gives the Leafs the most value for their pick. In addition to his playmaking talents, he can also score at a high rate.

His 40 goals and 45 assists in the QMJHL were quite impressive, and he shouldn't have a problem stepping into the NHL and playing well as a rookie.

Grigorenko might be gone when the Leafs pick at No. 5, but he's the best choice for Toronto if available.

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