NHL Draft 2013: 10 Potential Steals the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Consider

With only a maximum of seven games left in the NHL Playoffs, and with just over two weeks left until the NHL Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs offseason game plan should be in full swing as we speak.

GM Dave Nonis is currently searching for a replacement coach for the Toronto Marlies, but in all seriousness, that should be the least of his worries heading into the offseason.

With the NHL Draft slated to go Sunday June 30th at 3:00 PM EDT, and the opening of Free Agency on July 5th, the Leafs' best chance to improve their organization will come at the NHL Draft first and foremost, and then for immediate help, the free agent frenzy soon follows.

The first round of the NHL draft is usually where teams find the stars of their teams. However, it's the later rounds where teams find steals that eventually put the team over the top. The odd time you can also find an absolute stud who blossoms into an NHL All-Star in the later rounds.

The Detroit Red Wings are a classic example of a team picking up star players in the later rounds.

Because of that, they are a perennial playoff team and one of the highest-regarded teams in the NHL.

With that said, here's a list of ten names that could go on to be steals in the later rounds. These prospects are expected to be taken after the first round of the NHL Draft.

Defenceman Steve Santini US-Under-18, New York (EJHL)

Steve Santini isn't what I'd call a first round pick because of his lack of offensive skill, however, his defensive game is elite. This past under-18 championships played in Sochi, Santini led all American defencemen in ice-time and finished the tournament with a team-leading +8 rating.

At over 6'3" and 200 pounds, Santini already has an NHL body. He's a strong passer, smart player, and is a physical specimen as he's big, strong, and plays with a nasty edge. He models his game after Maple Leaf Captain Dion Phaneuf, but unfortunately, his offensive ability just doesn't cut it.

The Leafs will likely not be selecting a defensive defenceman, but Santini probably would fit in like a glove on the Leafs back end. Santini has agreed to play for Boston College for the 2013-14 season.

Where He'll Go: Late First to Late Second Round (Picks 25-60)

Player Comparison: Brooks Orpik

Left Winger Anthony Duclair, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

There may not be a quicker player in the Draft than Anthony Duclair. He can flat out fly on the ice, making him a very dangerous player in today's game.

Duclair is a wonderful playmaker, he's got great hands and a great shot. The only real downside to Duclair is his lack of size. At only 5'11" and 180 pounds, right now Duclair is considered a project for many NHL Teams.

Because of this lack of size, expect Duclair to go in the second round this year, despite having first round talent.

Last season as a 16-year-old, only Nathan MacKinnon outscored Duclair for players 16-and-under as Duclair finished with 66 points in 63 games. This season, Duclair suffered a sprained ankle and only played in 55 games, scoring 20 times and finishing with 50 points.

Where He'll Go: Late first round if someone gambles, early to late second round more likely. (Picks 25-60).

Player Comparison: Evander Kane

Center Jacob De La Rose, Leksands IF (Sweden)

Jacob De La Rose is one of those unheralded picks that will likely go down later in the draft.

Because of his real lack of offensive creativity and explosiveness, De La Rose will likely get passed over by many NHL teams. However, at over 6'2" and 200 pounds, De La Rose already possesses an NHL body.

He could stand to improve his strength still, but the fact is he has a good foundation on which to build.

An outstanding three-zone player, De La Rose is an intriguing pick for many teams that are starving for defensive forwards.

De La Rose is a great skater with a great hockey IQ. At times, too, he will show a physical side to his game.

He transferred his game almost seamlessly from the junior to pro level in Sweden. Give him some time to get used to the NHL game and the size of the ice, and an NHL team could have a steal in the later rounds.

Where He'll Go: Early to Late Second (Picks 31-60)

Player Comparison: Jay McClement—type forward.

Right Winger Pavel Buchnevich, Cherepovets Severstal (Russia MHL/KHL)

A pure sniper, Buchnevich is an extremely gifted offensive talent in the 2013 NHL Draft. His elite skill with the puck, his blazing speed, and his ability to forecheck will garner him first round potential. He's been described as a potential boom or bust selection because of his skill and questions regarding whether he'll come to North America.

Because of the lack of commitment to the NHL, it might result in him falling past the first round. Similar players to have fallen because of a lack of commitment like this are Evgeny Kuznetsov of the Washington Capitals, and Alexei Cherapanov, now deceased formerly of the New York Rangers, may he rest in peace.

Because of the dreaded Russian Factor or the KHL Factor, expect Buchnevich to fall in the NHL Draft. Many teams will not risk taking a player in the first round who won't come over until 2015-16 at the earliest.

Where He'll Go: Top-15 talent, however will likely go in the second or third rounds.

Player Comparison: Nazem Kadri meets Phil Kessel

Left Winger Tyler Hill, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

Coming in at a towering 6'6" and over 220 pounds, Tyler Hill already has the intimidating size that will make him a marked man on the ice for many teams.

His ability to forecheck and hit to hurt will likely result in him getting a handful of suspensions. However, for teams lacking size in their top nine, Hill will definitely deliver some of that added punch that is needed.

He will likely be best used as a player down-low in the trenches and in front of the net getting the dirty goals.

Some downsides to his game are his real lack of skating speed and technique. He skates too upright according to some scouts, that may result in him not being able to carry the puck for long stretches. Hill could end up much like former Vancouver Giants power forward, and current Boston Bruins bruiser Milan Lucic. Skating will always be an issue, but the heart and physicality is always there with Hill.

Where He'll Go: Early Second to Early Third Round (Picks 31-70)

Player Comparison: Milan Lucic

Goaltender Spencer Martin, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

Most goalies are usually taken later in drafts because, quite frankly scouts have a real tough time evaluating young talent. Some first round picks like Rick DiPietro end up being busts while others like former Leaf pick Tuukka Rask end up being studs.

The same can be said for players taken later in drafts such as Henrik Lundqvist, James Reimer and a slew of others. Many goaltenders like Ben Scrivens also get passed over in the NHL draft and sign as an undrafted free agent with NHL teams.

Spencer Martin is a goaltender that the Leafs have a lot of scouting reports on, playing in their own backyard.

Martin is a very similar goalie to what James Reimer is. A fairly big netminder who is good down low and already has a better glove than what Reimer had at this point in his career. At this point, Martin needs to improve on his puck tracking and rebound control, but many scouts say that it usually takes multiple shots to beat Martin and if he can see it, he will stop it.

The Steelheads goalie had a bad finish to the season which has resulted in him losing some draft stock, but in all seriousness, the Steelheads team outside of Stuart Percy and Riley Brace wasn't a very good team. Martin helped carry them into the playoffs despite having a team that probably wasn't worthy of a playoff spot.

Martin is one of those smart picks. Unless the Leafs are using him as a pick in the early rounds, like at 21, Martin poses no real risk. However, the potential upside with Martin is great, and the risk-reward value of Martin is sky-high. For an organization with no real goaltending prospects outside of Garret Sparks, the Leafs may end up selecting a goaltender they have a good idea about. Look no further than Spencer Martin.

Where He'll Go: Late Second Round to the Third or Fourth Round, a real question mark.

Player Comparison: Cam Ward

Center Bogdan Yakimov, Nizhnekamsk (KHL)

Bogdan Yakimov, not Yakupov, is a hard-nosed, gritty center that relies on his physicality and strength to out-power opponents on the puck.

He generally plays a different game compared to many of his Russian countrymen, who seemingly play a more East-West game, rather than North-South

Yakimov excels in the faceoff circle and likes to play a more defensive role. He's a good penalty killer and a very smart player. However, he needs to improve his playmaking ability and his skating before he makes a greater impact in the NHL.

There's no doubt in my mind he will make some sort of impact, whether its defensively or offensively, but the fact is, until he improves his skating and stick-handling, look for Yakimov to fall a little in the Draft.

Where He'll Go: Third to Fifth Round

Player Comparison: Michal Handzus

Defenceman Jordan Subban, Belleville Bulls (OHL)

Jordan Subban, brother of P.K. and Malcolm, stands to be the third and final Subban brother to be drafted into the NHL. Despite not having the media hype his brothers had coming into the draft, Jordan's still got plenty to offer to any NHL team.

He is easily one of the best puck-movers and shooters in  the NHL Draft right now, as he led his Belleville team in defencemen scoring  with 51 points in 68 games.

At only 5'10", Subban doesn't offer very much height, and at 175 pounds, he doesn't offer much strength and physicality. However, what he does offer is near elite-level puck moving and offensive creativity. He's one of the best offensive defencemen right now in the Draft.

Much like P.K., Jordan also has a tendency to carry the puck wildly, which does lead him to being caught out of position.

Named the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year, Subban does have a great head on his shoulders and is very smart, which lends itself nicely for the next level.

He's one of those picks that with a little coaching and mental and pysical growth could go down as one of the steals of the draft. His name alone might get teams gambling in the first round to try and grab Subban, but look for Subban to go a little later.

Where He'll Go: Second or Third Round

NHL Comparison: Mike Green Best Case Scenario, Joe Corvo Worst Case Scenario

Defenceman Samuel Morin, Rimouski Oceanic

A player skyrocketing up the draft boards is Samuel Morin. The 6'7" Morin was an afterthought heading in the NHL Draft about six months ago in January, however today, he may go as high as the late first round in some expert minds.

His long reach, physicality, and elite defensive play has drawn a lot of comparisons to Zdeno Chara heading into the draft. The comparison alone might have teams nipping at his heels to take him with a first round pick.

He will likely not last to the Leafs' second round selection, which would mean the Leafs may need to trade up in the second round to select him.

Morin could stand to add some weight as he's only 200 pounds, compared to the 260—pound frame owned by his Chara comparison. He also could use some offensive work and he needs to work on his pivoting as he has been skated around by some of the faster QMJHL skaters this season.

Where He'll Go: Early First to Late Second Round

Player Comparison: Hal Gill

Right Winger Nicholas Baptiste, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

Due to his obscurity playing up in Sudbury, I feel many experts are undervaluing Nicholas Baptiste heading into the NHL Draft.

Had he played in a market that got more national attention like London, Kitchener, Windsor, and so on, Baptiste would likely be a top-50 selection. However, Baptiste will likely go after the second round.

Baptiste is one of the best skaters in the draft. He likes to hit and already owns an NHL body, standing over 6'2" and tipping the scales at over 200 pounds.

His hard work ethic got him noticed as he played in the Under-18's and helped lead Canada to an Under-18 Gold Medal. It was his play with the National team that will likely get him noticed by many NHL teams. He finished the tournament with eight points in seven games.

According to the CSS Rankings, Baptiste rose 44 spots from his mid-term ranking after the Under 18's, proving that all it takes is some strong play and some media attention to improve your draft stock.

He was voted the most underrated player in the Eastern Conference this year  by the coaches of the OHL, showing he has the respect of many talent evaluators in the business.

He projects more as a third line grinder right now until he improves parts of his offensive game, however the foundation is there to easily add it to his game.

Where He'll Go: Late Second to Early Fourth Round

Player Comparison: Alex Steen or Nikolai Kulemin