{"id":840555,"date":"2018-09-02T10:00:05","date_gmt":"2018-09-02T14:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesportsdaily.com\/?p=840555"},"modified":"2018-09-02T10:00:07","modified_gmt":"2018-09-02T14:00:07","slug":"just-who-is-ryan-mcleod","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesportsdaily.com\/news\/just-who-is-ryan-mcleod\/","title":{"rendered":"Just Who Is Ryan McLeod?"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Edmonton Oilers made a pick in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft for the first time since 2016 this past June. In 2016, it was two-way winger Tyler Benson who got selected. This past June, it was OHL center Ryan McLeod, a Ryan Smyth fan growing up, who the Oilers selected.<\/p>\n
The Oilers, who haven’t had a strong group of AHL forward prospects in exactly one forever, are finally building a group below the NHL roster that has promise and potential. McLeod is the latest to join that group, entering the system slated to be a key part of the Mississauga Steelheads this coming season.<\/p>\n
His scouting report glows, he has the tools and was ranked as a first round talent heading into the annual selection process. After posting 70 points a year ago, McLeod joins the Oilers system as the best center prospect outside of the NHL. He’s a key prospect for this group moving forward.<\/p>\n
So….Just Who Is Ryan McLeod?:<\/strong><\/p>\n McLeod was a key part of the Steelheads attack last season, playing on the same team as his brother and former New Jersey first round pick Michael McLeod.<\/p>\n McLeod scored 26 goals a season ago, adding 44 assists for a total 70 points in 68 games. McLeod plays a game based on speed, which fits the organizational mandate to get quicker. On top of that, he brings enough size to the table (6’2″, 200 pounds) to appeal to the Chiarelli\/McLellan player type.<\/p>\n On the powerplay, McLeod was one of the best in the OHL at producing offense a season ago. That’s a very appealing skill set to have, and again fits a very big need in Edmonton. That said, McLeod didn’t produce at five-on-five like a first round pick normally does, hence him falling down the draft board a little bit.<\/p>\n Although he has size and speed, scouts warn that McLeod doesn’t use those attributes nearly enough to win puck battles or drive to the net. In fact, some scouts argue that McLeod pulls up and looks for a pass far too often, when he should simply by driving in to create offense.<\/p>\n This is a raw player who has a ton of upside, but there are absolutely some flaws to his game that made him a second round pick. McLeod has talent, however, and should be an NHL player in a few seasons. He’s not perfect, but there is a lot to like here.<\/p>\n Here are some words on Edmonton’s new young center.<\/p>\n