Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects of the Year

Here’s a list of the Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects of the year. Let’s just say the future looks bright Leafs fans.

William Nylander: 8th overall pick, 1st round of the 2014 NHL Draft. 2015-16 Season Stats – AHL: 38GP/45 points. NHL: 22GP/13 points.

He was pretty much what the Toronto Maple Leafs expected he would be this season. He tore it up in the AHL with the Marlies, and looked pretty good up in the NHL. He’s got a laser of a shot and sweet hands. Nylander has elite hockey sense and easily creates time and space for his linemates. He bought in to Mike Babcock’s coaching style, and improved his game without the puck. Naturally there are more improvements to be made, but he’s only 19 and has yet to play a full season in the NHL under Babcock.

Zach Hyman: 123rd overall pick, 5th round of the 2010 NHL Draft. 2015-16 Season Stats – AHL: 59GP/37 points. NHL: 16GP/6 points.

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He was a very underrated prospect that many didn’t know existed, until he was recalled from the Marlies on Feb 29th. He is a great compliment player to someone with plenty of pure skill, such as Nylander. Hyman works hard along the boards and goes hard to the net. He’s got a great work ethic, he works just as hard without the puck as he does with it. He’s a real solid winger with tons of potential. He might not be the flashiest player, but definitely a utility player that the Toronto Maple Leafs need.

Nikita Soshnikov: Un-drafted in the NHL, Signed as a Leaf in March 2015. 2015-16 Season Stats – AHL: 51GP/28 points. NHL: 11GP/5 points.

He’s a real in your face kinda player. He plays a hard, chippy game. He’s determined to get that puck no matter what. He gets under the skin of opponents, forcing them to take some penalties. I think he’s a real nice addition to the Toronto Maple Leafs. I like his gritty work ethic and he’s got a sweet shot.

Mitch Marner: 4th overall pick, 1st round of the 2015 NHL Draft. 2015-16 Season Stats – OHL: (London) 57GP/116 points. OHL Playoffs: 10GP/24 points.

There’s no doubt this kid has skill. He puts up points like it’s nobody’s business. In the OHL Coaches poll, he was named the Western Conference’s Best Playmaker and Best Stickhandler this season. He has no problem scoring beautiful goals. He has amazing hands and makes some pretty amazing plays. A real good up-and-coming natural talent for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He still has work to be done defensively, but he’s a real force to be reckoned with offensively.

Andrew Nielsen: 65th overall pick, 3rd round of the 2015 NHL Draft. 2015-16 Season Stats – WHL (Lethbridge) 71GP/70 points. AHL: 4GP/ 1 point.

Nielsen is a big minute-eating D-man. At 6ft 3″ he’s got the size to separate opponents from the puck, while keeping the awareness to not take himself out of position. He looks to be a hidden gem from that 2015 Draft for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Nielsen is a good puck mover, and is able to read developing plays before his competition. He is good at starting the breakout, and won’t create a rush, but has no problem joining it if he sees the opportunity. He’s got a physical edge that the Leafs lack, and could be one of their best defensive prospects.

Jeremy Bracco: 61st overall pick, 2nd round of the 2015 NHL Draft. 2015-16 Season Stats – OHL: (Kitchener) 49GP/64 points. OHL Playoffs: 9GP/14 points.

Likely the most underrated prospect the Toronto Maple Leafs have. He has phenomenal potential, and really came alive in the second half of the season. He goes to the net, becoming a real problem for goalies. Bracco’s got a great motor, and is very agile. He’s got quick, sweet hands and great on-ice awareness. One of the strongest parts of his game, is his ability to make great passes. Bracco was 3rd in the OHL Coaches poll for Best Playmaker and Best Stickhandler. Right behind fellow Leafs prospect Mitch Marner. This kid’s gonna be good Leaf fans. Watch out.

Martins Dzierkals: 68th overall pick, 3rd round of the 2015 NHL Draft. 2015-16 Season Stats – QMJHL (Rouyn – Noranda Huskies) 59GP/67 points.

The Latvian is another very underrated Toronto Maple Leafs prospect. He’s fast and skilled. Mark Hunter said, “We hope he can be one of those sleepers in the draft that we believe people have not seen as much. We believe there’s some real good upside with this young man.” Playing his first season in North America this year, it didn’t take him long to adjust, scoring 67 points in 59 games. Dzierkals is a smooth skater with good vision and understanding of positioning. He’s got the ability to find open space. He’s got a really high ceiling if the Leafs develop him right.

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Travis Dermott: 34th overall pick, 2nd round of the 2015 NHL Draft. 2015-16 Season Stats – OHL (Erie) 51GP/43 points. OHL Playoffs: 9GP/12 points.

In the OHL Coaches poll, Dermott was named the Western Conference’s Best Offensive defenseman. He is a very well-rounded D-man. He is confident with the puck and blocks shots like it’s nobody’s business. He is a very reliable defenseman who rarely gets beat to the loose puck. He is probably the Toronto Maple Leafs best defensive prospects in the CHL, and should only get better and better, likely an eventual top 4 D-man.

Overall, the Toronto Maple Leafs have built up a very strong pool of prospects. With 12 picks in this years NHL Draft, it will only get stronger.

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