Toronto Maple Leafs 2017 NHL Draft Preview: No. 23 Kailer Yamamoto
By Austin Owens
As the Toronto Maple Leafs and the rest of the NHL prepare for the draft, we look at Kailer Yamamoto, the Spokane forward who began jumping up draft boards after he filled the net this past season.
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 Ryan Poehling. Today, we profile Kailer Yamamoto, who is the 23rd-ranked prospect on our board.
Yamamoto was taken with the 105th pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. In his first two seasons, Yamamoto scored 128 points in 125 games. Last season alone, he finished with 71 points, good for first in team scoring.
He scored 99 points this season and had 42 goals, once again finishing first on Spokane in scoring. Because of his smaller size and high production, Yamamoto has drawn comparisons to Alex Debrincat.
Here’s what Future Considerations had to say about Yamamoto:
"A pint-sized, yet dynamic, playmaker… small, speedy forward with excellent hockey sense and quick hands…has a strong work ethic that keeps him going…great overall quickness, first-step jump to create separation and an ability to alter speeds to create gaps…sneaky and stealth-like in finding prime scoring ice…very creative with the puck and shows off creative hands…uses his size to squeak through the tightest of holes”"
On top of his above-average offensive output, he also killed penalties for the Chiefs. Yamamoto had two shorthanded goals and another two assists this season.
Spokane finished the season with 66 points and missed the WHL playoffs. Yamamoto made an appearance for the United States at last year’s U-18 World Championship, finishing with 13 points in seven games.
Yamamoto is a solid look for a team that is picking near the back half of the first round. If he was closer to six feet tall, he would be in the conversation as a lottery pick.
Next: Leafs' 2017 NHL Draft Preview: Kristian Vesalainen
What’s your take on Yamamoto? Do you agree with the current projection that he will be drafted 23rd overall, or is this too high or low? Further, what kind of career are you predicting for him in the NHL? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.