Deep sleeper #3: Patrick Leaver
Leaver ranks 16th among North American goaltenders per NHL.com. However, he has crept up the boards 13 spots since NHL.com ranked him at 29th at mid-term.
Playing for the Oshawa Generals of the OHL this past season, he compiled a modest 22-19-5 record, with a GAA of 3.2. This past season was his first in the OHL, and predictably, Leaver struggled in the playoffs, posting a 2-2-1 record with a 0.870 save percentage and 4.52 GAA.
But given his solid yet unspectacular production in the regular season, coupled with his relative inexperience at the OHL level, Leaver will display a lot of potential if he can build upon his 2021-22 production. Time will tell, but he’s worth taking a chance on given the flashes he showed this season.
Leaver is one of those late-round prospects that you take a flyer on. And if he develops into something more, then great. If not, the Buffalo Sabres won’t suffer too much of a loss if they take him or a goaltender with a similar talent in the late rounds.
(Statistics provided by Elite-Prospects)