Players Toronto Maple Leafs Should Target with No. 4 Overall Draft Pick

There are only a few guarantees in life, and in no particular order they include: death, taxes and the Edmonton Oilers finding a way to win the NHL draft lottery. Despite finishing with a record that gave the Oilers only a 11.5 percent chance at selecting Connor McDavid compared to the Buffalo Sabres' 20 percent chance, Edmonton won its fourth draft lottery in the last six years on Saturday.

The Toronto Maple Leafs had slightly worse odds than Edmonton, and many fans were dejected when the announcement was made. It is fair to say that more fans are mad that McDavid is now probably heading to Alberta over Ontario, but there are plenty in the Toronto area who yearn for a savior to come to Air Canada Centre.

Despite losing the lottery, the Leafs have the opportunity to select a number of amazing players at No. 4 overall. There currently is no consensus No. 3 pick, so it will be a mystery until draft day as to who will be taken off the board right before Toronto gets to pick. With that in mind, here are the players Toronto should target, if available, at No. 4 overall.

Dylan Strome

Age: 18

Position: Center

Team: Erie Otters

2014-15 Stats: 45 goals, 84 assists, 129 points

Why He’d Fit the Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have not had a superstar center since Mats Sundin left to take a sabbatical from hockey in 2008. Many have tried to be a first-line center, but all have failed for the most part.

Dylan Strome has the potential to be an elite All-Star center, and he's had the misfortune of playing in the shadow of Connor McDavid for the last two seasons. He got a look at the limelight when McDavid went down with an injury this past November, and he took full advantage of the situation.

He has a good frame to build upon at 6'3" and 185 pounds, and he's a speedy and creative pivot who is equally adept at scoring and setting up his teammates. Strome's vision and stick-handling ability allow him to complete end-to-end rushes with ease, and he is a player who can step in and make a difference. 

Craig Button of TSN thinks highly of Strome:

"

A smart, good skating, center who can not only make  plays but can finish them also. Reads the play so very well and he gets himself into positions where he can take advantage and be a threat. He’s multi-dimensional in that he can play two-ways, can play a skill game, can play a ‘heavy’ game but regardless of the situations he plays a game where he contributes in some way, some fashion

"

He sounds like the type of player Toronto needs, and there's a chance he could turn pro for the 2015-16 NHL season.

Noah Hanifin

Age: 18

Position: Defenseman

Team: Boston College Eagles

2014-15 Stats: Five goals, 18 assists, 23 points

Why He’d Fit the Toronto Maple Leafs

Noah Hanifin is a skilled defenseman who could be a difference-maker on the Maple Leafs blue line in the foreseeable future. The 6'3", 203-pounder models his game after Drew Doughty, according to his profile on NHL.com, and it really shows in his play. He is a strong skater with the puck, possesses great vision and is an amazing passer.

From time to time he will put the puck on net with success, but he's made a name for himself as a puck-moving defender. Button is also very high on Hanifin:

"

Plays with a poise and guile that is exceptional. His ability to put himself in advantageous position to make plays, both defensively and offensively, allows him to impact the game in every single situation. He never seems to be rattled, rushed or hurried in his play. Skating is superb and he has great confidence and ability with the puck. Can dictate the play.

"

Hanifin made his debut for Boston College in October, and doing so made him the youngest player in the team's history to suit up for a game.

There is going to be the temptation to take a forward with the No. 4 overall pick, but Hanifin has the potential to be a bona fide franchise defenseman. He may not have as much of an early impact as a forward, but no one would second-guess Toronto if it chose to take the B.C. blueliner.

Mitch Marner

Age: 17

Position: Center

Team: London Knights

2014-15 Stats: 44 goals, 82 assists, 126 points

Why He'd Fit Toronto Maple Leafs

Mitch Marner had an amazing year with the London Knights, and he could end up being an amazing steal for a lucky hockey team. He is an elite-level player with great playmaking skills, and he's a player who is eerily similar to current NHL star.

Before I say anything else about Marner, read these two scouting reports.

"Player A" — 5'10" and 162 pounds:

"

A skilled playmaking forward with great hockey sense… high-end passing skill with excellent use of the saucer pass to move the puck… able to fight through checks and protect the puck… is not afraid to take the puck into traffic and can be very elusive… very good at anticipating the play and has a good wrist shot.

"

"Player B" — 5'11" and 160 pounds:

"

Excellent playmaker who can make plays in and through the tightest of spaces. Very elusive with his skating but can attack & beat defenders 1-1. Sees plays unfolding and is very comfortable holding puck to allow them to develop. Plays with an assuredness that is threatening and he doesn't take a 'back seat' in the game.

"

If you read both of those descriptions without the height and weight, it would be easy to think it was two different scouting reports on the same player. It isn't, as Player A's NHL Central Scouting report described Patrick Kane right after he was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Player B is Button's take on Mitch Marner. The similarities between Kane and Marner are simply astounding, and there's reason to believe Marner has the potential to be an elite playmaker. 

Here is a chart that fully breaks down the similarities:

Player	Draft Size	Team	Draft Year Stats	Draft Result
Patrick Kane	5'10" and 162 pounds	2006-07 London Knights	62 goals, 83 assists, 145 points 58 games played	No. 1 overall
Mitch Marner	5'11" and 160 pounds	2014-15 London Knights	44 goals, 82 assists, 126 points 63 games played	?

Kane's numbers obviously trump Marner's, but it is pretty freaky how much the two have in common. I'm not saying Marner is Patrick Kane or he's going to become Patrick Kane, but don't be surprised if he has Patrick Kane-like success at the NHL level.

Stats via TSN.com and NHL.com unless otherwise noted.