Ivar Stenberg’s Maple Leafs Draft Story Shows That Fit

Sometimes, the most interesting part of a hockey draft comes after a player is picked. That’s when we start learning what the players thought, how the interviews went, and whether the team that chose them was really the place they wanted to be.

Ivar Stenberg has offered a little glimpse into that side of the story. The San Jose Sharks forward recently said his meetings with the Toronto Maple Leafs didn't go particularly well. He also admitted he didn't think Toronto was the right fit. Now, he's happy in San Jose.

In a way that makes sense. Not every player will feel comfortable with every organization, and that doesn't necessarily mean anyone did anything wrong.

The Right Player Isn't Always the Right Fit.

Toronto had a big decision to make this summer. The Maple Leafs chose Gavin McKenna first overall, while San Jose selected Stenberg second. Both were highly regarded prospects, and there's no shortage of reasons to be excited about what each might become.

McKenna brings the kind of creativity and offensive flair that gets people talking. Stenberg has his own strengths, and he's off to a promising start with the Sharks. He has six points in eight games, which is a pretty nice way to introduce yourself to a new organization.

It's tempting to look at those early numbers and wonder whether Toronto should have chosen differently. But eight games don't settle a draft debate. Neither does one interview. We won't know for years how these careers unfold.

What interests me more is fit. A player can have all the talent in the world, but he still has to find his place in an organization, understand what's expected of him, and get opportunities to play his game.

Sometimes We Need to Let the Story Unfold.

Toronto has plenty of Swedish connections, including Mats Sundin and William Nylander. It's easy to imagine how Stenberg might have fitted into that picture. But familiarity and nationality don't guarantee chemistry, and we shouldn't assume he'd have been happier or more successful in Toronto.

McKenna deserves the same patience. He's a first overall pick, and that comes with attention and expectations. It doesn't mean every early decision about his development will be perfect, or that he needs to become a superstar overnight. For now, Stenberg seems happy in San Jose, and Toronto is investing in McKenna. Both things can be true.

We hockey people are pretty good at turning a draft into a verdict before the players have had time to grow. Maybe this is one of those stories where we can simply let the kids play and see what happens. The best answer won't come in October. It'll come with time.