The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are in high gear, but for those teams that missed the post-season, time to look towards the draft for help has started and Toronto is again one of those teams looking to add the right pieces after another disappointing season.
The Maple Leafs began the year on fire, but injuries and poor play on both ends of the ice finally caught up with the team and Toronto finished the year with 80 points, which was 13th in the Eastern Conference.
GM Brian Burke now must use this off-season to re-tool the franchise and it will start this summer with the draft. Toronto has several options with the fifth overall choice, but it's clear this team needs to add a player that can lift the franchise who has now missed the playoffs for the eighth straight year.
Size and physical play was a weakness last season and center Mikhail Grigorenko could give the team a presence on the ice. At 6'3" and over 200 pounds, the Russian is physical, but also has great skills on offense, giving the youngster a legitimate shot at playing in the NHL next season.
If the Maple Leafs decide to draft defense, Griffin Reinhart fits their need of size and skill. Reinhart is also 6'3" and over 200 pounds, but his offensive skills are limited and that could turn the team's favor towards Grigorenko.
Both these young players are top ten talent and will hear their name called early in the draft, but for fans of the Maple Leafs, they want quick results and drafting the offensive minded Russian is likely the best short-term plan for the team and its fans as they look to finally break their drought and make the Stanley Cup Playoffs next season.
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