The Toronto Maple Leafs won’t be making a splash in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. Their 25th overall pick was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks in last year’s trade for defenseman Jake McCabe. With no early selection, Toronto is left to look for value where others might not.
Maple Leafs Betting on Late-Round Talent in 2025 NHL Draft
That 25th overall pick that the Leafs had was part of a 2023 deal that brought Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty over from Chicago. In exchange, Toronto gave up a conditional first-rounder, a second-round pick, and a pair of prospects.
We’ve acquired Jake McCabe, Sam Lafferty, a conditional 5th round pick in 2024 and a conditional 5th round pick in 2025 from Chicago in exchange for a conditional 2025 1st round pick, 2026 2nd round pick, Joey Anderson and Pavel Gogolev
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 27, 2023
It was a win-now move, aimed at beefing up the Maple Leafs’ defense and adding some edge to the bottom six ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs. But Toronto’s playoff run didn’t go as planned. Now, that trade is coming back into focus with the Maple Leafs sitting out in the first round of the draft.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs Game 7 loss, their first round draft slot lands at 25.
The Chicago Blackhawks own this pick from the Jake McCabe/Sam Lafferty trade.
New from @RobCouch555 on @TheHockeyNews https://t.co/W2DXnijcO0
— Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) May 19, 2025
When and how the Maple Leafs will make an impact at this year’s draft has become a matter of creative strategy rather than prime positioning.
Toronto holds just six picks this year, starting with No. 64, which came from the Florida Panthers. They’ll also select once each in the third, sixth, and seventh rounds, and have two picks in the fifth. It’s not a large pool to work with, meaning that the Maple Leafs need to be efficient with their selections.
#LeafsForever picks in the 2025 NHL Draft:
2nd round, No. 64 (FLA)
3rd round, No. 86 (COL via NSH and SJ)
5th round, No. 137 (PIT)
5th round, No. 153
6th round, No. 185
7th round, No. 217 https://t.co/ttitoecLfz— Maple Leafs News (@budsallday34) June 23, 2025
This draft marks the first one under amateur scouting director Mark Leach. With decades of experience in Detroit and Dallas, Leach brings a calm, detailed approach focused on hockey IQ and long-term development. Toronto general manager Brad Treliving has publicly backed Leach’s belief that talent can be found in any round.
“If you look back, he has a hell of a draft record,” Treliving said about Leach in an article for The Athletic.
With Auston Matthews and William Nylander pushing 30 years old, and five of six top defensemen being 28 or older, the Maple Leafs are hoping this year’s draft can help prepare for the future.
List of Prospects Maple Leafs Might Target
Toronto is believed to be focused on players who bring size, intelligence, and long-term upside. Among the available forwards, Conrad Fondrk stands out.
Though he missed time this past season due to injury, Fondrk has one thing working heavily in his favor: His shot is already good enough to challenge NHL goalies. He’s expected to take the next step in his development at Boston University this fall.
Then there’s Carter Amico, a towering right-handed defenseman who lost most of his draft year to a knee injury. Even so, scouts are intrigued by his mix of size and toughness. His teammate, Charlie Trethewey, is another name that’s drawing attention.
Calm under pressure and reliable in both ends, Trethewey has earned a reputation as a well-rounded defender with serious upside.
Another name reportedly on the Maple Leafs’ radar is Theo Stockselius, a 6’3” center out of Sweden. He’s shown flashes of high-end playmaking and hockey sense. Though he’s expected to stay in the U20 league another season, scouts like what he offers long-term.
Other possibilities include defensemen like Owen Conrad, Peyton Kettles, and Jacob Rombach, each bringing a mix of physicality and defensive prowess. Forwards like Ethan Czata and Adam Benak are intriguing, too. They offer two-way skills and playmaking abilities but might need extra development time.
None of these players are expected to step into the NHL right away. That’s not the plan. Without a first-rounder this year or next, the Maple Leafs are looking to stockpile smart bets on the future. Trading down for extra picks could also be on the table.
This year’s draft isn’t about the quick fix. It’s about patience. And for a team still looking for its first Stanley Cup since 1967, that might be the smartest play.
