What the Maple Leafs get in ‘underdog’ NCAA signing Ryan Tverberg

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Whenever you’re an all-in group, your assortment of draft picks and prospects tends to endure. And, for those who discover some playoff success, it’s a commerce off you’re blissful to stay with.

That’s the place the Toronto Maple Leafs are actually, although the seek for post-season success is ongoing. The price of placing these closing items into place has left the Leafs with simply three picks within the 2022 draft (although a first-rounder is included). Final 12 months Toronto made 5 choices and in 2021 they picked 3 times (with none first-rounders).

The final time Toronto had a giant draft was 2020, the place they selected 12 gamers total. Their third-rounder from that season, Topi Niemela, is gaining momentum in Finland and although there are questions on his offensive recreation, our scout Jason Bukala projected Niemela as a center pair D on the NHL stage if his improvement retains trending positively. Second-rounder Roni Hirvonen can be trending effectively in Finland, particularly with a pleasant surge in play recently.

However the final choose the Leafs made of their 2020 draft — and the fifth-last choose total — is the main target at this time. Ryan Tverberg, the 213th total choice, signed a contract with Toronto Wednesday, after his season on the College of Connecticut got here to an finish. When Bukala wrote concerning the Leafs’ prospect pool final week, he famous that if Tverberg was left unsigned by Toronto after his NCAA profession completed (and he had yet one more 12 months of eligibility) there would have been curiosity from rival groups.

Now, Toronto can get his professional improvement began on the AHL stage with the Marlies.

However what, precisely, is the outlook for this seventh-rounder from three years in the past? Can Tverberg turn into an NHL participant someday and, if that’s the case, what affect does he undertaking to have?

We flip to Bukala for his response to Tverberg’s signing and what it means for the Leafs.

SCOUT’S ANALYSIS

It’s all the time a pleasant story when an underdog prospect breaks by way of and indicators an NHL contract after being chosen late within the draft. Tverberg earned this contract by way of perseverance and laborious work.

Model of Play

• The actual fact Tverberg was utilized in all conditions on the faculty stage speaks to his hockey IQ. It additionally offers him an opportunity to develop into quite a lot of roles (in time) on the professional stage.

• Tverberg scored 4 of his 15 targets this season on the ability play. He has an correct launch coming off the boards on either side of the ice. It’s fascinating to notice he isn’t a ahead who is simply harmful on the weak aspect when directing pucks on aim. He’s equally snug biking excessive within the zone on his sturdy aspect, and has deception dragging pucks to the center of the ice earlier than snapping them on aim.

• Tverberg brings element and consciousness on the penalty kill. He reads the play very effectively, fills the lane, and collapses to help round his crease. He’s dependable within the position, jumps to unfastened pucks and pressures opponents up ice earlier than they arrange their breakout.

• He averaged 19 minutes of ice time per recreation and there have been nights he skated over 22 minutes this season. Since being drafted Tverberg has added way more power, energy, and endurance.

• Tverberg was listed at 5-foot-10 and 168 kilos in his draft 12 months. He’s now listed at 5-foot-11 and 180 kilos. The additional weight is noticeable, particularly within the laborious areas and in open ice. His stride is longer and extra highly effective.

Forecasting

Tverberg is a accountable three-zone prospect. He’s forward of the curve when evaluating him to another gamers within the Leafs prospect pool.

He isn’t a one-dimensional participant. He can penalty kill, slot in on the ability play, and might be trusted with d-zone begins. He’s a artful prospect who will work for his alternatives. He doesn’t undertaking as a top-six ahead on the NHL stage, however is extra seemingly a middle-six (third line) possibility if he maximizes his improvement – beginning on the AHL stage with the Toronto Marlies.

He’s an underdog. He’s a personality child. I wouldn’t wager in opposition to him pulling on a Maple Leafs jersey sometime, however it is going to take time.

Be aware: Up to date peak and weight based on UConn (5-foot-11, 180 kilos)