Toronto Maple Leafs: Breaking down second-round forward draft targets
By Austin Owens
Michal Teply, Right Wing, Liberec U20 (Czech U20)
The Maple Leafs have trended towards drafting skilled but generally undersized forwards to add to the talent pool in their system. However, the likes of Korshkov, Pierre Engvall, and Mason Marchment all offer a good blend of size and skill.
Teply is listed at 6-foot-3, 175 lbs, and while he’s been listed as a first-round talent by some, the majority has him as an early- to mid-second-rounder.
"“Michal Teply is a big body who possesses nice offensive skills combined with a good shot. He can create space for himself to shoot and has a quick release. Although he is not a great skater, he has the ability to play with the puck with some speed, and his vision is good, too.” – Jakub Mezlik, Future Considerations"
The big winger split time between the Liberec men’s teams and the U20 squad this season. With the big club, he posted a pair of assists in 15 games as a 17-year-old.
In the junior ranks, Teply managed four goals and 10 assists in 23 contests. During the playoffs, he put up six points in four games.
The skating would be the least of the Leafs’ worries, as they have one of the worlds best skating coaches in Barb Underhill to fix up his footwork and speed.
Like most European prospects taken outside the first round, the Leafs would have to exercise patience with him. He’s got some work to do to fill out his frame, but give Teply a few years and he should become one of the most interesting prospects in the organization.