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It’s the third time in franchise history and first since 1995 that the Leafs picked 15th overall. Twenty-five years ago, Toronto selected defenceman Jeff Ware, who played in just 15 games with the Leafs and 21 in the NHL in total.
In 1973, the Leafs had a little more luck with the 15th pick, choosing defenceman Ian Turnbull. Along with Borje Salming, Turnbull was a force on the Toronto blue line in the 1970s. Turnbull’s record of 79 points by a Leafs defenceman, set in 1976-77, stands today.
A reminder the Leafs will have 10 picks on Wednesday in Rounds 2-7:Nos. 44, 106, 122, 153, 168, 177, 180, 189, 195 and 212.
“When it comes to some players that are in North America or that have other needs, I think as much as it’s disappointing there aren’t games right now — and the health and the situation in terms of the pandemic in the world needs to come first — I think this also presents a tremendous opportunity for a younger player that maybe has some physical and strength limitations to make major gains,” Dubas said of the development route some prospects will have to take.
“Without having to focus on playing any games, you can really focus on your work, strength and conditioning or on the ice with various different skating coaches or instructors and make gains in terms of your strength and your on-ice technical ability.
“Even though I know games are much more fun than the daily work of that going over a long stretch of months, we have to worry about what we can control and do the absolute best to maximize the circumstances that come our way and carry on our development in different ways. It has been challenging.”
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