Toronto Maple Leafs Lost Fourth Rounder: Costly for Leafs?

There was little to no coverage of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft past the first round, so the details are sketchy, still, one has to wonder why the Toronto Maple Leafs forfeited the 27th pick in the fourth round?

Well, fear not, for I have the answer.

The Maple Leafs forfeited the fourth round draft pick and $500,000 for paying Swedish defenseman Jonas Frogren a $750,000 signing bonus last summer, which violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Let’s face it, not many fourth round draft picks make it to the NHL, but the Leafs are in dire need of prospects and the forfeited fourth round pick could have helped the Leafs improve their club.

As it sits now, the forfeited pick may prove costly for the Leafs as there were a few highly regarded players selected in later rounds that the Leafs could have selected had they been able to use their pick.

Playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL, Tomas Vincour was thought to be a first round draft pick as late as last summer. His 2008-09 season was cut short due to injury, but he still managed 36 points in 49 games, including 17 goals.

The Edmonton Oil Kings selected the 6'2", 205 pound, Vincour with the first overall selection in the 2007 import draft and he was ranked 42nd overall heading into this year's NHL entry draft, but somehow he slid down to the eighth pick in the fifth round—129th overall by the Dallas Stars.

Here is what Edmonton Oil Kings' head coach Steve Pleau said about Vincour, "He projects to be a power forward. He’s a big, strong kid who skates and shoots the puck very well. He plays up and down and a physical brand of hockey and he’s very effective. He uses his skating to drive the net and he takes the puck to the danger areas."

Vincour sounds like a good prospect to me, it's too bad the Leafs missed out on this kid.

Another highly regarded prospect that Burke could have used the forfeited pick on is highly regarded goaltending prospect Olivier Roy.

At 6'2", 165 pounds, Roy has some growing to do, but the raw talent is there. Roy came into the 2009 NHL Entry Draft as the top ranked Quebec Major Junior prospect and the second ranked goaltending prospect overall. Roy, who played for the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL this past season, posted a 35-13-0 record, with a 3.04 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.

Many mock drafts had Roy going as early as the first round, it is a mystery why he dropped down so far in the draft, perhaps size was a concern? Still, Roy is a talented goaltender and should have stood out in the later rounds on most teams' depth charts.

Here is what NHL Scouting’s Chris Bordeleau said about Roy, "He catches your attention. He’s steady and he plays well all the time."

Want more?

Here is what Cape Breton goaltending coach Scott Gouthro had to say about Roy, "Olivier Roy has extremely quick reflexes and when he challenges is extremely hard to beat. He continues to work on his puck-handling which is a key tool for the next level. He is a warrior, his competitive nature and desire to win is exceptional."

Could Roy have been the goaltender of the future the Leafs are looking for? Only time will tell, but Roy sure would look good in the Leafs' depth chart, wouldn’t he?

The biggest disappointment to me is that both of these players likely could have been had for little in return. To be fair, Burke is not to blame for losing the pick, the deal for Frogren was completed when former Leafs' GM Cliff Fletcher was in charge. That said, I think it would have been worthwhile for Burke to make a move at the draft to pick up one of these players.

Prospects are just that, prospects.

But, judging by the glowing reports these two players received, I think Burke would be happy to add either one of them the the Blue and White.

Hopefully we don't look back on this draft in five years and think, "If only Burke made a move..."

Until next time,

Peace!