Oct 17, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Stuart Percy (50) with the puck against the Detroit Red Wings at Air Canada Centre. The Red Wings beat the Maple Leafs 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
No.08 – STUART PERCY
Stuart Percy is an interesting prospect that every writer had on their list. He had a brief taste of the NHL last season but didn’t perform overly impressive in the small sample of action he was given.
His shot chance generation, possession and goals percentage leave much to be desired, but that may have had something to do with his horrible deployment (-17.86 relative offensive zone start percentage) by (then) head coach Randy Carlyle – who Percy played eight of his nine games under.
What Percy brings to the game are quiet defensive skills. He’s not going to wow anyone, nor is he going to register a significant amount of points. Percy is a guy who needs to be sound in his own end and make smart decisions with the puck when he gets it.
He’ll be looking to have a bounce-back season with the Toronto Marlies this year to prove his worth to the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. Now that Matt Finn has been sent off to the pasture, Percy has much more pressure resting on his shoulders knowing that the new front office isn’t afraid to move young players if they don’t perform or fit their current mold.
As it stands now, there’s still a chance for Percy to become a solid third pairing defender in the NHL – but he’s going to have to prove that he still possesses those skills if he wants to get there as a Toronto Maple Leafs player.
Next: No.07