3 Prospects Who Could Make the Toronto Maple Leafs

Which one of the Toronto Maple Leafs top prospects have a shot at playing for the big club next season?

The Toronto Maple Leafs enjoyed a historic season this year with Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner leading the rookie charge. The rookies were imperative for the Leafs success this past season, and the next wave will be as important if the team wants to become better.

Here are 3 players that have a chance to make the Leafs roster next season:

Kasperi Kapanen

Although not technically a rookie, Kasperi Kapanen has yet to see significant and meaningful ice-time in the NHL. In his brief eight game stint this year, Kapanen registered only one goal but doubled his goal total during the playoffs against Washington. His low offensive totals are nothing to worry about, seeing as he only saw ice time with Matt Martin and Brian Boyle on the 4th line all year.

Kapanen had a breakout year with the Toronto Marlies during his sophomore season scoring 18G and 25A in 43 regular season games. He added another 2G and 6A in 9 playoff games with the Marlies as well. To put it simply, Kapanen was a scoring machine for the Marlies and was their best player by a mile all year round. So good in fact, the Leafs initially planned on calling him up earlier until an unfortunate injury moved the process back a couple months.

As a 20 year old, Kapanen scoring a point-per-game is incredible. In this article written by Jeff Veillette at theleafsnation.com, Jeff shows the list of 20 year olds in the AHL that scored at a PPG clip and how their performance translated to the NHL. Needless to say, it’s ridiculously good.

Like Logan Couture, Claude Giroux, David Krejci, Bobby Ryan good.

During his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs this year, Kapanen won over the fans with his incredible double-overtime game-winning goal. More importantly, he also seemed to win coach Babock’s trust. Kapanen saw a good amount of time the penalty kill last season and excelled in that role.

Barring a miserable training camp, Kapanen should be a lock to make the roster next season.

Travis Dermott

Travis Dermott was the Marlies best defenseman this season. He was so good in fact, that head coach Sheldon Keefe had this to say about Dermott on Leafs Lunch:

“Travis Dermott was outstanding through the whole series and played against their best people all the way through… When I look around at players that we see in the Eastern Conference that we play against every day, I don’t know that there is a better 20-year-old defenseman that is playing in our league. That is a really encouraging sign, obviously. He’s got a bright future.”**Credit to MapleLeafsHotStove for the blurb

That’s some high praise for a 20 year old defenseman. Dermott is not the most offensively gifted defensive prospect, that distinction belongs to Andrew Nielsen, but he’s definitely the most polished defensive prospect the Leafs have.

Dermott put up decent offensive numbers this season with 5G and 14A in 59 games and another 1G and 4A in 9 playoff games.

The Maple Leafs only have 3 guaranteed locks on their defense, Jake Gardiner, Morgan Rielly and Nikita Zaitsev. The other 3 slots are up for grabs, especially on the third pairing.

Dermott made a great impression with Lou Lamiorello this season. So much so that Lou wanted to get a better look at him during the playoff run. Being a full time NHLer next season may be a long-shot, but Dermott will have every opportunity to make the roster. At worst, be the first injury call up.

Kerby Rychel

Kerby Rychel has the potential to be a very effective NHLer. The 23 year old Columbus draft pick was acquired by Toronto for defenseman Scott Harrington, and has spent his entire stint in Toronto with the Marlies.

This season, he’s scored 19G and 33A in 73 games and posted 113 PIMs. He also posted 2G and 3A in 11 playoff games. A huge step up from previous years with Erie.

More from Editor In Leaf

Rychel is the prototypical power-forward, and plays a position the Leafs need, left wing. Hopefully, if Matt Martin is taken by Vegas, Kerby Rychel could be the perfect fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

If the Leafs want to turn into a four line scoring team, promoting Rychel to take Matt Martin slot would be a major step forward for the team.

Thanks for reading! Who do you think could make the Leafs roster next year?

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