Toronto Maple Leafs: Dougie Gilmour praises Eemeli Rasanen

Former Toronto Maple Leafs great Dougie Gilmour had some encouraging things to say about the team’s second round pick Eemeli Rasanen. 

This year’s draft went fairly well for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The highlight of the weekend had to have been Timothy Liljegren dropping to 17.

The later rounds also had some Leafs selections that many are continuing to talk about. One of which being second round pick Eemeli Rasanen.

Leafs’ fan favourite Doug Gilmour has served as General Manager of the Kingston Frontenacs. Coincidentally, the Frontenacs were the team Rasanen played for this past season.

Gilmour joined the Overdrive boys on Monday and was asked about Rasanen:

"He came into training camp and pretty much was our second best defencemen right from there on. He was a lot better than I ever expected… This guy’s a beast. He hit guys and sometimes he’d take penalties on it because he’s so strong. Other times when guys hit him they’d just bounce right off of him. He’s a good player. Good first pass. Again his feet are good, not great but good. He’s a great kid and he competes hard."

It’s an impressive feat to be the second-best defenceman as a rookie on a team that finished fourth in the conference. Additionally, his physical edge to his game is highlighted again. Being called a beast by a player that was referred to as “Killer” around the league shouldn’t be overlooked.

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Something that is comforting is Gilmour’s comments on his foot speed. Foot speed is usually an issue with players of Rasanen’s size, but it’s good to hear there is promise in that department for the young defender.

From all the reports and comments being made on Rasanen, it sounds like the Leafs may have found a potential player in the second round. However, as encouraging as these words and comments are, at the end of the day they are just words.

Fans and management will have to wait and see if Rasanen can develop into the player they want him to be. If he can continue to progress, his size, skill and physical edge will definitely be welcome in a Leafs uniform one day.

Next: Leafs draft Rasanen in the 2nd round

What do you make of Gilmour’s comments on Rasanen? Does it make you more excited to see him develop further? Let us know what you think with a comment down below!