We’re entering the second day of the 2025 NHL Draft and there are several talented players still available Saturday, while the Toronto Maple Leafs are projected to make their first selection at No. 64.
Malcolm Spence of the Erie Otters headlines Daily Faceoff’s list of the best available players. Spence was one of my favourite players in this class as a pro-ready, tenacious player who operates as an underrated scorer.
There will always be a few surprises, but I’m surprised Malcolm Spence fell out of the first round. There’s no way he’ll be available at No. 64 for the Maple Leafs…but hey, anything’s possible!
— Arun Srinivasan (@Arunthings) June 28, 2025
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Here’s what Daily Faceoff’s prospect expert Steven Ellis wrote about Spence ahead of the draft. Spence is ranked as the 22nd-best available player in the class by Daily Faceoff:
I feel confident that Spence will be a good NHLer. Maybe not a top-six player, but someone whom you can assign a job to do and he’ll get it done. The Mississauga native isn’t flashy, but he’s a hard worker who loves hitting everyone he can and getting anyone off their game. Spence isn’t a high-end producer in the OHL, but he has been a point-per-gamer for most of the past two seasons. He’s very versatile, although not necessarily a top-six play-driver. I think he will be one heck of a middle-six player, at the very least. I was disappointed about his play against London in the second round of the playoffs, though – but that’s also partly an Erie Otters problem.
Milton Gastrin of Sweden’s Modo is another forward who was projected by many to be taken in the first round. Here’s Ellis’ report on Gastrin:
Gastrin has been excellent in Swedish national team action, developing into quite a responsible two-way player. Gastrin will not be a point producer in the NHL, but he will do so many other things that excite you. He’s defensively responsible, wins a ton of face-offs and can play the wing when you need him to. We’ve seen him play with some of Sweden’s better players in international junior tournaments, and he has never looked out of place.
It’s certainly worth taking a look at the rest of Ellis’ list, while the Maple Leafs could find some real value as the board progresses through Saturday.
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