Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs 2017 NHL Draft Preview: No. 7 Cale Makar

By Austin Owens

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; A general view as hockey fans arrive outside a security checkpoint before the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; A general view as hockey fans arrive outside a security checkpoint before the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

As the Toronto Maple Leafs and the rest of the NHL prepare for next month in Chicago, we look at Cale Makar, a Junior A player making waves in the draft rankings.

The 2016 draft had several headlining players that controlled the main portion of the coverage in North America. This was particularly true north of the border, as the Toronto Maple Leafs and every other Canadian team failed to reach the playoffs.

This summer will be a different story. Further, there has been a lot of movement in the draft rankings over the course of the season.

On Friday, we looked at Cody Glass. Today, we turn to Cale Makar, who is currently the best offensive defenceman available in this year’s draft and our seventh-ranked prospect.

Makar is one of the several players that has chosen the junior A route, rather than major junior or NCAA. He was drafted in the eighth round of the 2013 Bantam Draft by the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Makar was also selected in the 11th round of the 2016 USHL Entry Draft by the Fargo Force. However, he decided to stay in junior A and play with the Brooks Bandits.

Makar played his first full campaign in 2015-16 and managed 55 points, including 10 goals. He bettered that total by 20 points the following season, which included 24 goals on the year, good for fourth on the Bandits.

From all accounts on social media, he’s got a pretty good shot as well:

Here’s a scouting report from Peter Harling of Dobber Prospects on Makar:

"He is a dynamic offensive player with speed to burn and is very competitive. Makar has great hockey sense and reads plays well making good decisions when to join a rush. He is and undersized player and needs to add strength and learn to be effective defensively and physically despite being undersized. Makar has committed to play College hockey next year for UMass in the NCAA where he can work on his strength and play against older and stronger competition."

Makar was also a member of the Canada West team at the 2016 World Junior A Challenge, where he had a five-point game against Switzerland.

Brooks wrapped up their season with a 12-0-1 record in the playoffs en route to a Western Canada Cup victory. Makar was third in scoring in the playoffs with 18 points.

He received the Top Defenceman Award in the CJHL for his efforts this past season. If everything runs it’s course, Makar will be up for more awards in the NHL down the road.

Next: Leafs - Who is Philip Holm?

What’s your take on Makar? Do you agree with the current projection that he will be drafted seventh overall, or should he be in a different position? Further, what kind of career are you predicting for him in the NHL? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Home/Toronto Maple Leafs