With the 30th pick in SB Nation's 2011 NHL Mock Draft, our Stanley Cup Champion (lol) Toronto Maple Leafs delegation from Pension Plan Puppets selects Brandon Saad, a left wing from the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League.
Brandon Saad, LW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Alright, maybe that's a little misleading. Saad only played one year with Saginaw before the draft, as his late birthday hindered his ability to play with the US National Team Development Program this past 2010-11 season. In his time with the USNTDP, though, he won a World Championship and developed himself a reputation as a power forward who's strong on the puck.
Saad is also an extremely capable skater, and he should project to be a capable top six winger in the NHL.
Read more about the pick at Pension Plan Puppets.
You can find every pick from our 2011 NHL Mock Draft in this StoryStream.
For full coverage of the 2011 NHL Draft, stick with SB Nation's network of 34 hockey blogs, covering the draft from every angle. Also, stick with SB Nation's NHL Draft hub, where you can find all the latest player profiles and news surrounding the event, which takes place in St. Paul, Minn. on June 24-25.