Lahey has put together a quiet but defensively responsible debut for a 19-year-old blueliner at Michigan State. He has recorded five assists in 16 games with a plus-7 while recording a block per game. The offensive upside is limited, and the comparable landscape for seventh-round defenders is not encouraging. Players like Ilya Solovyov, Joel Nystrom, Louis Crevier, and Vincent Desharnais were all playing more prominent roles at Lahey’s age and still needed extended developmental time before arriving in the NHL. There is a physical foundation to work with given his size (6-5, 207 lbs.), but the path to NHL relevance remains long. Lahey will need several strong NCAA (and/or AHL) campaigns before Toronto has reason to take a serious look in his direction. No dynasty relevance at this stage.

Lahey’s rookie campaign in the USHL was one of quiet efficiency. He scored 4 goals, added 13 assists and provided 18 penalty minutes across 59 games. A smart defensive defenseman, with a 6-5 frame, Lahey can impact the game defensively, and with the right development, could feature on an NHL blueline as an effective shutdown man. He projects as a player who could be ‘better in real life than fantasy’ unless your league rewards defensive prowess. Lahey will head to Michigan State University for his first NCAA season in the fall.

The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Lahey in the seventh round (200th overall) in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.