NHL Draft 2015: An Early Look at Toronto Maple Leafs' First Pick

With how the 2014-15 NHL season has progressed, loyal Toronto Maple Leafs fans should focus on the offseason. The upcoming NHL Draft should see the Leafs further bolster the organization's depth.

It's clear that the Leafs will have a high first-round pick, barring trades, but just how high is of the utmost important. The Leafs are most likely to finish with the league's fifth- or sixth-lowest point total, which translates to a less than 10 percent chance of winning the NHL's lottery.

For our purposes, we will assume the Leafs will pick at the No. 5 or No. 6 slot and not win the upcoming McEichel sweepstakes. We'll consider both organizational need and the likeliest players available.

In no particular order, let's take a look at the players the Leafs should consider at one of those slots. 

Noah Hanifin, Defenceman, Boston College

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Boston College's Noah Hanifin has elite talent. If Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel were not in this draft, there is good reason to believe would be the No. 1 pick.

However, he is a defenceman, and teams have occasionally been wary of selecting a blue-chip defender over a top-flight forward. Think back to fellow American Seth Jones, who slipped down to No. 4 in his draft year.

Hanifin may also slip a few spots in the draft, and if he did, the Leafs would do well to select the 6'3", 205-pound defender. Hanifin is an exceptional skater with great agility. He's a puck-moving rearguard who can lead or join the rush.

He's also a defensively responsible player who makes good decisions in his own end. Hanifin isn't exceptional in any one area, but there are no obvious holes either. He could be a huge minute-eater when he's ready for regular NHL play in a season or two.

Zach Werenski, Defenceman, Michigan

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Zach Werenski is another defenceman who should be an impact NHL defender. He's got great size at 6'2" and 206 pounds and this season joined the Michigan Wolverines as a 17-year-old. 

Werenski is part of a great crop of young American defenders who will be superior NHL players. Werenski has 23 points in 31 games, which demonstrates some offensive upside the Leafs will certainly be able to use in the coming years.

The Leafs have been one of the poorer defending teams in the NHL for several seasons. The Grosse Pointe, Michigan, native would help address this. There's every indication that he will be a top-pairing NHL defenceman.

Ivan Provorov, Defenceman, Brandon Wheat Kings

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Ivan Provorov has a relatively complete game for a draft-eligible defenceman. He can play a physical game, but he's also a gifted skater who can score in bunches.

He's a dynamic player who can turn heads with his offensive talents. The talented Russian has 58 points in 56 games in the WHL. At 6'0" and 193 pounds, he's not going to dominate physically, but he plays bigger than that and has little fear of opponents.

Provorov will need some further seasoning, but there is every reason to believe he'll be a top-pairing NHL defender. He's an excellent passer and boasts the kind of poise that is difficult to coach in a player.

The Leafs need to take the long view with young defencemen who may not be ready for prime-time play until two, three or even four seasons following their draft years. Provorov could end up being the best of this year's crop of defencemen.

Dylan Strome, Centre, Erie Otters

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Dylan Strome is the third-best centre available in the upcoming draft. If he's available at the No. 5 or No. 6 spot, the Leafs have to give him serious consideration.

The top teams have strength down the middle at centre ice, on the point and in goal. The Maple Leafs unquestionably need upgrades at centre and defence. Strome would help to address that. He's got size, speed and a superb scoring touch. With 116 points in 63 games, Strome has demonstrated elite offensive abilities.

He plays on the same team as Connor McDavid and doesn't always see the opponents' best defensive pairing, but Strome's game holds up on its own.

The organization has not had a bona fide No. 1 centre for several years. Strome could be not only be the Leafs' No. 1 centre, but he has the skills to be a dominant NHL centre.

The Mississauga, Ontario, native would be a great pick for the oft-ridiculed Maple Leafs.

All stats can be found on hockeyDB.com.