Meet Tinus Luc Koblar: The Maple Leafs' Potential Steal of the 2025 NHL Draft
Photo credit: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff
From surprise pick to breakout potential, here's why Maple Leafs fans should be excited about the team's top 2025 draft pick, Tinus Luc Koblar.
Tinus Luc Koblar was not a top name in the 2025 NHL Draft when he was selected 64th overall.
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Koblar was ranked 56th among European skaters by NHL Central Scout, signifying a projected mid-round pick.
Koblar was ranked 64th by DobberProspects, with Swedish regional scout Ethan Lindley discussing Koblar's game:
Tinus Luc Koblar's package of tools is very enticing. The tall and lanky center combines sharp agility with very quick handles to exploit strong defenses.
He also has moments of physicality that should only become more frequent and violent as he gets stronger - Ethan Lindley/DobberProspects
He also has moments of physicality that should only become more frequent and violent as he gets stronger - Ethan Lindley/DobberProspects
Koblar was not ranked in some of the most well known Draft Rankings, including Bob McKenzie's scouting poll and Craig Button's ranking for TSN, as well as neither of The Athletic's scouts, Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman.
All of the Toronto Maple Leafs picks come off as project players, which is a bit of a concern at the lack of upside in their drafting, but also that they're drafting big players with weak stats who look below par. It will be hopeful that Koblar proves that upside is just untapped.
However, the hope is that Tinus Luc Koblar can be a surprise that ends up working for Toronto, and there's clear reason why it could.
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The HockeyPatrol scouting report makes clear the type of player Koblar is and can be.
The 6'3 Norwegian center had eight goals and 21 points this season in 43 games for Swedish club Leksands in the U20 Nationell.
Koblar is an incredibly raw player who shows flashes of being an upside player, having a strong compete level and defensive awareness.
The hope is that Koblar will be able to develop his game and take meaningful steps in the next few years to grow out his game and become a potential NHL prospect.
Koblar is an incredibly raw player who shows flashes of being an upside player, having a strong compete level and defensive awareness.
The hope is that Koblar will be able to develop his game and take meaningful steps in the next few years to grow out his game and become a potential NHL prospect.
Koblar is a big center who skates well and has a lot of energy. He may have gone higher than expected at 64 but is an incredibly skilled player who lacks the offense as of right now, but if he can grow his game further in that role it could mold him into a potential NHLer.
Even if the offense doesn't come entirely, Koblar could still find a place in Toronto's lineup as a defensive-minded fourth liner who can move the puck and contribute some physicality.
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Right now Tinus Luc Koblar looks like a player who could very well manage to be a potential 3C for Toronto, although it'll probably take some time for him to get there.
Koblar has the raw talent to be a potential player, but is still behind his floor and needs some time to put his overall game together.
It was a bit of a surprise that Koblar decided against moving to the OHL with the Brampton Steelheads, who selected him in the CHL Import Draft and electing to stay in Sweden with Leksands, but he's clearly comfortable where he is and believes in the path he's on.
Hopefully, Koblar is able to prove some people wrong and show that he can be a future NHLer who excels at where he was taken, and there's a clear path forward for that to one day happen with some patience.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 31 | 1088 ANSWERS Meet Tinus Luc Koblar: The Maple Leafs' Potential Steal of the 2025 NHL Draft Was Tinus Luc Koblar a good pick for Toronto at 64? | ||
| Yes | 532 | 48.9 % |
| No | 130 | 11.9 % |
| Unsure/Too Soon | 426 | 39.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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