As the 2017 NHL Entry Draft inches closer, much of the focus remains on the Leafs’ options for the 17th overall selection — I explored those options here — the team’s lone pick in this year’s first round. After all, in a weak draft class like this one (there’s a considerable drop-off after the early 20s), it’s easy to dismiss Rounds 2 through 7.



But the reality is the odds suggest the Leafs have a higher chance of hitting with one of their six selections outside of the first round than they do with pick No. 17.



As it presently stands, the Leafs have one second-round pick (acquired from the Ottawa Senators in the Dion Phaneuf trade), no third-round pick (given up in the hiring of Mike Babcock from the Detroit Red Wings), two fourth-round picks (their own and another from the trade that sent Frank Corrado to the Pittsburgh Penguins), and each of their lone picks in Rounds 5 through 7.



What follows is...