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If there is anyone with first-hand insight into top Maple Leafs draft pick William Nylander, it’s his Modo teammate and fellow Toronto prospect Viktor Loov.

“Nylander is good, I would say he is one of the most skilled players to ever come from Sweden,” Loov, a defenceman, said of Nylander. “He is a good skater, good with the stick, good offensively.”

The two are among 29 players in Toronto this week for the team’s prospects camp, where they learn nutrition, receive media training and get on the ice for drills.

When cameras are allowed in on Wednesday, Nylander is sure to draw a lot of attention. But it’s Loov (pronounced Love) who is getting a lot of the buzz.

“Loov is very talented,” said Jim Hughes, the team’s director of player development who is running the prospect camp this week. “He’s graceful on his skates. A big body that plays physical. He’s looking for open-ice hits. He moves the puck, but what separates him is his skating ability.

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“He skates on top of the ice. He doesn’t lose any traction. He gains speed. He’s got great power, great explosion, great acceleration. It makes everything in his game easier because his skating is so strong.”

Loov is the latest in what’s becoming a long line of late-round long shots who are paying off for the Leafs. The credit goes to the team’s European scout, Thommie Bergman, who always seems to uncover a gem at the NHL draft.

And over the years, on his recommendations, the Leafs have drafted:

Anton Stralman, a seventh-round pick in 2005 who has played 394 career NHL games and just cashed in with Tampa on a free-agent deal.

Leo Komarov, a sixth-round pick in 2006, who is returning to the Leafs this season.

Carl Gunnarsson, a seventh-round pick in 2007 who was just traded to St. Louis after 304 games in a Leafs jersey.

More recently, there was Petter Granberg, a fourth-rounder from 2010 who got into one game last season and could well make the leap next season. This year, it’s Loov, a seventh-rounder from 2012, who’s getting the love.

It was GM Dave Nonis who dropped Loov’s name — a sure sign the team thinks highly of him — at the draft in Philadelphia when talking about openings on the blue line.

“Oh, I’m not good enough for the NHL yet,” said Loov, with typical Swedish humility. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in September. All I want to do is get better with my skating, with my skills, so I will be ready.”

Loov has been in town since May, getting to know the city and meet a few of his future teammates. He’ll stay through the team’s rookie camp in London and main camp in September.

What happens after that depends on what kind of camp Loov has.

At 6-foot-2 and 194 pounds, Loov likens his game to that of Alexander Edler of the Vancouver Canucks, an all-around defender but not someone who is flashy.

“I am a team-first guy,” said Loov. “If the coach wants me to skate with the puck, I will skate with the puck. If he wants me to hit, I will hit. Whatever the coach wants.”

The Leafs have streamlined their camp this year, down to 29 players from 40 or so. There is less work on ice, more work in classroom-type settings. The players are largely from the last three draft classes as well as undrafted players invited for a close-up look.

“We expect a high workload,” said Hughes. “We’re looking for guys that have a passion for the game.

“We’re asking people to elevate their game and challenge themselves and make themselves better.”

Here’s a look at who’s here and what the team expects they’ll take away from the experience.

Hughes’ view: “They’re starting to develop relationships with the player-development people, the coaching staff of the Marlies, and meeting our management team. They get to know the people, they get acquainted with the facility. They spend quality time with Anthony Bezla in terms of strength and conditioning. They all spend quality time with Barbara Underhill with power skating. It’s these relationships that are being built. It’s the resources we have they can start to tap into.”

Hughes’ view: “You can never hear these messages enough, the teaching, the learning that’s going on. That whole draft class, they’re astute people. We give them constant reminders, refocusing-type messages. It’s just constant reinforcement in terms of what it’s going to take for each one of these guys to maximize all of their abilities. We’re talking physical and mental.”

Hughes’ view: “They’ll graduate from this program and they’ll move on. Connor Brown is in a different phase than the guys who were just drafted. The urgency is greater than the younger kids. We expect more from them. They need to be the leaders. Some of these guys will be on our AHL team next year. They’re at a different point.”

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