Maple Leafs May Target 6-Foot-6 Center in Second Round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft

The Leafs parted with a substantial package, including prospect Fraser Minten, when they acquired Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins at the trade deadline, which left them with a lack of depth down the middle.

Despite signing college free agent Luke Haymes and having Jacob Quillan already in the fold, the organizational depth down the middle needs to be addressed.

To address their organizational roster needs, the Leafs have an opportunity to add some size and a right-handed center with their first pick in this year's draft. At 6'6 and 207 pounds, Mason West jumps off the board - literally.

West, who attended the NHL's draft combine this past week, played last season with Edina High School before jumping to the Fargo Force of the USHL for the final 10 games of the season, where he tallied 1 goal and 9 points.

In his profile piece by FC Hockey, scouts said he was impressive despite the small sample size and jumping right into the league from high school.

Scouts called his skating 'solid' and noted that he has a high hockey IQ and soft hands for his size. One of the knocks on the 17-year-old, however, was his shot.

Projected as a third-line center, scouts believe he could have a higher ceiling given his age, size and IQ.

Should he be available to the Leafs at the bottom of the 2nd round, the Leafs would be wise to take a swing on West -- not just because they need center depth, but because he fits the mold of what Leafs head coach Craig Berube and GM Brad Treliving prefer.