Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Prospects to Track At Rookie Tournament
Thirty-one Toronto Maple Leafs prospects will look to turn heads as they will participate in a Rookie Tournament hosted by the club, which is set to begin on September 16.
The teams will be comprised of prospects from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators. This tournament will serve as a learning experience for some as they get their feet wet as a professional. However, for other prospects it will be a chance to open up some eyes as training camp approaches.
Ever since Brendan Shanahan took ever, the organization has preached drafting and developing. Over the past couple of drafts the Maple Leafs have stock piled prospects. The fruits of these past drafts are starting to show, especially during rookie tournaments like these.
Mark Hunter has done a tremendous job at drafting, even adding mid to late round prospects who have the ability to become steals down the line. Even without the like of William Nylander and Auston Matthews, the roster is stacked with prospects lead by Mitch Marner.
This tournament should show the depth of the prospect pool and just how far this organization has gone under Shanahan. Not to mention it should excite fans of what the future holds and what’s down the line.
So who should Maple Leafs fan should keep track of?
Well here are five prospects that will look to make an impact once the tournament gets underway.
Next: Mitch Marner
Mitch Marner
No surprise here, Marner’s quest to make the Maple Leafs this season will begin at this rookie tournament. Marner dominated last season, pretty much winning everything at the junior level. From multiple MVP’s, an OHL Championship, and Memorial Cup.
He won it all and is ready to move on from his junior career. After a summer of bulking up, it’s his chance to make an impression. Which is why all eye will be on him expecting to dominate the tournament.
Furthermore, Marner should have no problem displaying his skill as he will be the best player on the ice. Which is why fans should expect him to dominate. Take a look, no prospect on the Penguins, Senators, or Canadiens comes close to Marner’s skill. Again, it’s his tournament to dominate.
Marner must open eyes, show management and coaches how much he has improved over the summer. Mike Babcock has stated that he will have every opportunity to make the team. However, he should do everything in his power to take that roster spot.
Nevertheless, he must use this tournament as a step in the right direction. Having a good rookie tournament can only help his confidence as he looks to make the team.
Next: Andreas Johnson
Andreas Johnson
Johnson will be one of the older prospects participating in the tournament this year. Last year was an interesting one for the Swedish forward.
After winning the SHL Championship with Frölunda, he headed across the Atlantic to join the Toronto Marlies playoff run. It was in that playoff run where Johnson sustained a concussion in the series against the Albany Devils. As a result, it will be interesting to see how he has recovered over the off-season.
Now, lets get back to glowing over Johnson. Drafted in the 7th round, he has started the conversation of being a late round steal. In his last season with Frölunda, Johnson posted 44 points (19 goals and 25 assist) in 52 games.
With his SHL career behind him, the 21 year-old will more than likely start with the Marlies as he gets adjusted to the North American game. However, for the tournament, fans should expect him to appear often on the score sheet and often.
Next: Andrew Nielsen
Andrew Nielsen
Drafted in the third round by the Maple Leafs, Nielsen had himself a season. In 71 games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, he registered 18 goals, 52 assists, and 70 points. He was three points behind Ivan Provorov, a top 10 selection in the 2015 NHL Draft. That was the type of season the Red Deer native had least year in the WHL.
As a result, Nielsen has now emerge as one of the top defensive prospects in the Maple Leafs system. Along with his physical game, Nielsen has now developed some offensive upside. Which is why it would not surprise anyone if he gets the call to represent Canada at the World Juniors.
In this tournament, Nielsen should expect to get the top four pairing minutes. With that much ice time he should garnered the attention of Maple Leafs fans going forward. With a lack of blue chip prospects on the blue line, it will be interesting to see what he can develop into.
The 19 year-old has a late birthday, the Maple Leafs will have some options with him. They can either send him down to the Marlies or back to the WHL with Lethbridge, so it will be something to keep an eye on this upcoming season.
Next: Travis Dermott
Travis Dermott
Drafted in the 2nd round, Dermott had an excellent season helping the Erie Otters with life after Connor McDavid. The 19 year-old posted 43 points in 51 games for the Otters as he came in second in the OHL’s top defenseman award. He also suited up for Canada at the World Juniors this past season posting two points in five games.
Dermott was able to grow into a leadership role this past season with Erie. With a letter on his sweater, he was able to help Erie reach the Western Conference Finals for the second year in a row. With leadership experience it won’t surprise anyone to see Dermott have a letter on his sweater during the tournament.
So what’s next for the Newmarket native?
Going forward, Dermott will have to continue his development as a puck moving defenseman. He may not have the size, but he has the smarts and doesn’t take chances. Much like Nielsen, Dermott has a late birthday, so it will be surprising to see him back in Erie.
He will more than likely try and compete for minutes with the Marlies to further his development. It wouldn’t hurt to head back to Erie, but it’s in his best interest to start his pro career with the Marlies.
Next: Dmytro Timashov
Dmytro Timashov
As a prospect drafted in the 5th round, Timashov has sparked conversation of becoming a mid-round steal. This past season he split time with the Québec Remparts and the Shawinigan Cataractes in QMJHL. With Québec he posted 53 points in 29 games, once he was traded he registered 32 points in 28 games.
Furthermore, once the playoff run started for Shawinigan he turned it up a notch. In 21 playoff games he tallied 28 points as he helped the Cataractes reach the Presidents Cup Final.
Now with a junior career behind him, Timashov will look to forward to his first year of pro hockey. It will be in the step in the right direction if he can put up numbers at this year’s rookie tournament.
Next: Five Players To Watch At World Cup
Timashov will more than likely start with the Marlies this season. Which is why it will be a good thing if he can leave a good first impression on Sheldon Keefe, who will be coaching the prospects and will be coaching him once the season starts.
Also, with a good amount of forwards graduating to the Maple Leafs, there will be a few spots in the top six on the Marlies for him to grab.