Heading into the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, the state of the Toronto Maple Leafs was most certainly up in the air. With the eighth overall pick, new team President Brandon Shanahan needed to make some noise in regards to his overall ability to identify quality talent. Shanahan’s team would have much rather had a spot in the 2013-14 playoffs rather than a top 10 pick in this year’s draft, but they most definitely took the card that was dealt to them and ran with it. Here’s a look at why the Maple Leafs were this year’s winners of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

With William Nylander still available as the Leafs were on the clock with the eighth overall pick, picking the Canadian-Swede was a no brainer for the front office of the Buds. The Leafs have seemed to lack a sense of offensive stability up front since the day Mats Sundin left the game. Although over the last couple of seasons the Leafs have managed to regain their offensive stride with the likes of Phil Kessel and James Van Riemsdyk leading the way, there has still been a void that hasn’t been filled for quite some time.

By drafting Nylander, the Leafs get perhaps the most overall skilled player in the draft. Yes, they are taking a risk with his lack of size as Nylander is only 5’11” and 170 pounds soaking wet, but due to his overall hockey IQ and understanding of the flow of the game, his upside is massive. Nylander has the ability to be very decisive with the puck and be at the right place at right time more often than not. Often compared to a young Patrick Kane, Nylander will surely provide the offensive boast that the Leafs so desperately need, if not right away, most definitely in the very near future.

Although many hockey minds see Nylander as a cocky individual who is somewhat self-centered, the Leafs see him more as a very confident young man that understands the game. Part of being a professional athlete is having the ability to be confident in your own talents and also having the ability to make those around you more confortable with what they have to offer as well. Nylander can and will contribute at the professional level for the Leafs if not now, most certainly in the very near future. Nylander was by far the biggest steal of the first round of the draft as he was recently part of a few discussions surrounding the first overall pick. The Leafs selection of Nylander eighth overall is the reason why they have come out winners after the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.