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Victor Johansson admits that the Maple Leafs may have selected him too early
Photo credit: Marcus Gidlöf
At Toronto Maple Leafs development camp, 2024 fourth-round pick Victor Johansson admitted that the Leafs may have reached in a big way to select him a few rounds early.
The Leafs, Wes Clark and Brad Treliving surprised many when they selected Johansson in the fourth-round of the draft last weekend, considering he wasn't even ranked by most scouting services.
A left-shot defenseman, Johansson is certainly a 'project' for the Leafs and their development coaches. At Development Camp yesterday, when asked about being drafted by the Leafs, Johansson revealed he was just as shocked as Leafs fans when he was drafted.
"I didn't expect them to draft me, but I knew there was a chance they were drafting me. I didn't know that I was going to go fourth round. I didn't have that on my mind," said Johansson before revealing he wasn't expecting to be drafted. "Not at all or seventh round."
Listed at 6'1 and just 143 pounds by Elite Prospects, Johansson says he's actually closer to 147 pounds, but has to put a ton of mass on just to be able to attempt to make the move overseas to join the AHL's Toronto Marlies and possibly the Leafs in a couple of years, but he fully understands that and is just thankful the Leafs are willing to work with him.
"I need to grow a little bit in my body... but it's nice they're believing in me."
With development camp wrapping up in the coming days, one of the newest Leafs will head back home to continue to develop in Sweden, but will have the Leafs' developmental resources at his disposal this time around.
Source: Elite Prospects
Victor Johansson Player Profile
Victor Johansson Player Profile
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 5 | 494 ANSWERS Victor Johansson admits that the Maple Leafs may have selected him too early Will Victor Johansson be a serviceable NHL player? | ||
| Yes | 141 | 28.5 % |
| No | 74 | 15 % |
| Too early to tell | 279 | 56.5 % |
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