The Toronto Maple Leafs select Matthew Hlacar 217th in the 2025 NHL Draft

Matthew Hlacar player profile

Hlacar is a big, 6’3″ winger who just finished his first season in the OHL.

An overage pick, Hlacar is a bit of a late bloomer. His size will give him credit in a Brad Treliving-led system, but obviously, as a seventh-round pick with just eight points in 43 OHL games, he’ll need to improve quite a bit to sniff the NHL.

Analyzing the pick

This pick also establishes a new pattern for the Leafs: drafting Ontario-born players.

We’ve seen the contract negotiations, and we’ve seen the lack of passion from the team. Finding guys who bleed blue and white will definitely help the team culture.

As the 217th pick, Hlacar has a long way to go. But why not take a shot on a 6’3″ Ontarian if you’re Treliving?

What’s next for Hlacar

Hlacar will return to the OHL next year, and he’ll need to put up big numbers to establish himself as a real prospect.

What do you think of the pick? Let us know.