Toronto Maple Leafs: 2018 NHL Mock Draft – First Edition
By Austin Owens
The Leafs could really use a centre to re-stock the minors. They have some of the best winger depth in the league, but with Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner all playing in the NHL now, they are shallow down the middle.
They have shown a liking to Russian prospects over the past few drafts and have the opportunity at another one in Khovanov.
The second overall pick in the 2017 CHL Import Draft, Khovanov didn’t begin playing until the end of December after getting Hepatitis A on vacation in the offseason. Since debuting for Moncton, he has been just under a point per game player.
The Leafs struck gold by getting Timothy Liljegren way after he was projected to go. Khovanov was projected by some as a mid first rounder before the season. Could it happen again?