![No slam dunk for Toronto at No. 23](https://cdn.magzter.com/1704825715/1719474632/articles/0GW_b3WaP1719481032121/NO-SLAM-DUNK-FOR-TORONTO-AT-NO-23.jpg)
Ryder Ritchie, right, was the WHL's rookie of the year in 2022-23 and had four goals and four assists at the world under-18 championships in May.
The good news for the Maple Leafs in this year’s NHL draft is that GM Brad Treliving will be able to take part in the first round. A year ago, the Calgary Flames insisted he not be allowed to sit at the Toronto table, given he had just been fired by them and hired by the Leafs. This year, unless something changes — like a trade, perhaps — Treliving will call out the name of the 23rd pick.
The Leafs have historically been hit-or-miss in the salary cap era with picks in the 20s. Tyler Biggs, 22nd in 2011, Stuart Percy, 25th the same year, and Frederik Gauthier, 21st in 2013, were disappointments. But there were happier times with Rasmus Sandin, chosen 29th in 2018, and hopefully with Easton Cowan, 28th in 2023.
The 23rd pick has produced some solid NHLers. Scott Hannan, Todd Bertuzzi, Ray Whitney and Ryan Kesler played more than 1,000 games in their careers.
Jordan Binnington, considered Canada’s top active goalie and the favourite to start in the 2026 Olympics, went 23rd, as did some other current players having marvellous careers: Brock Boeser, Wyatt Johnston and Mike Matheson.
Here’s a look at some players who could go 23rd this year, based on mock drafts and scout rankings.
Elite Prospects
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 27, 2024 من Toronto Star.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 27, 2024 من Toronto Star.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
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Rookie's dominant starts offer hope
Blue Jays still look like trade deadline sellers, but righty Rodríguez just might be a keeper
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England perfect in shootout
Alexander-Arnold nets winner to reach semifinals, redemption for Saka
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How did Shanaplan Leafs lose their way?
Potential, sure, but so few results, promises unkept
![ULTIMATE GOAL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/kR6iF-pN61720348093131/ULTIMATE-GOAL.jpg)
ULTIMATE GOAL
Why Canada's run to semifinals means so much
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Do Canadians want more or less government in their lives?
In a recurring feature, Susan Delacourt, a small-I liberal, and Matt Gurney, a small-c conservative, bring their different perspectives - and shared commitment to civil disagreement to the political debates of the moment.
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Rescued cub finds new life
Freya, a six-month-old lion cub rescued from the wildlife trade in Lebanon, poked a curious nose out of her transport crate and sniffed the air. Satisfied, she took her first cautious steps in her new forever home in a sanctuary in South Africa.
![Theories about coup abound](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/6XiD39FaD1720347785923/THEORIES-ABOUT-COUP-ABOUND.jpg)
Theories about coup abound
A plan to stage a coup against Bolivia's president was not what Gen. Tomás Peña y Lillo was expecting when he entered the military headquarters in La Paz last Wednesday.
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'It takes them many days to secure even a respite beď
A year ago, a funding spat left asylum seekers on the streets. So what's changed and what hasn't?
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Flight from justice
After the bloody murder came a panicked getaway across Ontario and a pursuit over three European countries, ending in capture. In the second of three parts, the Hamilton Spectator's Nicole O'Reilly retraces the fugitives' steps
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Path cleared for possible ceasefire
Militant group in Gaza has dropped key demand to end war, officials say