Maple Leafs Steal Kingston Center at 86th Pick in the Draft: A Smart Value Player
Photo credit: OHL Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs select Kingston Frontenacs center Tyler Hopkins with the 86th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
Toronto selected Tyler Hopkins in the third round of the 2025 NHL Draft, selecting the Canadian who is a player who could be a solid player for the Leafs in the future.
Hopkins, who was a member of the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League, had 20 goals and 51 points in 67 games played in the OHL.
Hopkins has also represented Canada internationally, although he has produced less offense being in the bottom-six in a defensive role.
Being a 3C is likely the ceiling for Hopkins, but there is a good chance that he is able to hit that mark in his future if everything goes right.
Analysis On New Toronto Maple Leaf Tyler Hopkins
Hopkins is a player who likely won't be relied upon to give so much on offense in the NHL, he has the defensive maturity and control at center to be trustworthy as a 3C.
Luke Sweeney of DobberProspects described Hopkins as a simplistic player who works hard.
Hopkins is a very straightforward player, though one who comes with plenty of tools.
He finished the season with 20 goals (though none in 11 playoff games), largely off the strength of his shot and his open-ice abilities off the rush.
He's very fast, with a powerful, churning stride, making him effective as both a carrier and weak-side option, though his off-puck reads are hit-or-miss.
His speed; in addition to his low skating base also makes him both difficult to seperate from the puck and hard to play against in the corners.
He finished the season with 20 goals (though none in 11 playoff games), largely off the strength of his shot and his open-ice abilities off the rush.
He's very fast, with a powerful, churning stride, making him effective as both a carrier and weak-side option, though his off-puck reads are hit-or-miss.
His speed; in addition to his low skating base also makes him both difficult to seperate from the puck and hard to play against in the corners.
Stuart Miller-Davis of FCHockey praises his IQ and abilities to play hard
The foundation of Hopkins's game is his high-end skating ability and his offensive awareness, but he's developing and being trusted more in the defensive zone in his draft year.
He also harasses opponents on the forecheck with his speed and agility, and is often putting pressure on opposing defenders to force them into making poor decisions with the puck.
He also harasses opponents on the forecheck with his speed and agility, and is often putting pressure on opposing defenders to force them into making poor decisions with the puck.
Tyler Hopkins may be a low-upside player, but has a solid peojectable floor and could be a quietly respectable center for Toronto in the coming years.
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JUIN 28 | 564 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Steal Kingston Center at 86th Pick in the Draft: A Smart Value Player Do you like the Toronto Maple Leafs at 86th overall? | ||
| Yes | 375 | 66.5 % |
| No | 189 | 33.5 % |
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