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Toronto Maple Leafs: The Unsigned Prospect Situation

By Alex Hobson |
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks on stage before the start of the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks on stage before the start of the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

We’re roughly a month away from the off-season and the Toronto Maple Leafs have found themselves in a bit of a pickle.

The Toronto Maple Leafs organization has been known as one of the prospect hot-spots over the past few seasons.

Going from having Tyler Biggs and Stuart Percy as their top youth in the pipeline to having a trio of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner leading the team, it’s no secret that they have youth to burn.

However, there’s not always going to be room for some of these prospects.

And it just so happens that the Leafs are nearing the end of the entry level contracts for three of their prospects. These prospects include Fabrice Herzog, Stephen Desrocher, and Nikita Korostelev.

Two years ago, it would have been much easier to decide what to do with these youngsters. They didn’t have anywhere near the depth they do now, so in all likelihood, they would have signed all three.

Should they keep these youngsters? Should they let them re-enter the draft? Or should they move them? I’m here to give you my two cents.

FABRICE HERZOG

DECISION: Let Him Go

When the Leafs picked up the young Swiss forward in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL Draft, he looked pretty solid. He was also a wildcard, however, as he was playing in Switzerland’s junior league. It’s known that talent is harder to judge in leagues like that

In his post-draft season, he moved to Canada to play for the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL, where he recorded 58 points through 61 games. Pretty solid for his first year.

He then made his way back to Switzerland and for the last two seasons, he played for the ZSC Lions of the Swiss league. Interestingly enough, he was actually a linemate of Matthews during the 2015-16 season.

His totals dipped back this year, and he recorded only 20 points through 44 games. If developed correctly, it’s possible that he could still become an effective NHLer.

But at this point, the Leafs’ forward group is so stacked that I can’t see any scenario where Herzog would become a regular player for the Maple Leafs.

If the Leafs can somehow find a return for Herzog, then, by all means, they should go for it. But he’s too old to re-enter the draft, so it’s likely the Leafs will just release him and let him continue his hockey career somewhere else.

STEPHEN DESROCHER

DECISION: Sign Him

On the forward front, the Leafs are absolutely loaded with depth. They have a couple of solid prospects on the back end, but you can never have too much to work with.

Drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL Draft, the Toronto native enjoyed a solid campaign for the Kingston Frontenacs player where he appeared to lack any weaknesses in his game.

He showcased his offensive game with 51 points through 65 games and also was relied on heavily in his own end due to his good hockey sense. On top of all of this, he donned the captaincy for the Fronts in his final junior campaign.

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Desrocher was already good, but he really improved his game this year. In the last year, he really showed what his potential could be..

If he continues to develop, he could really make a name for himself heading into training camp. The Toronto Maple Leafs should sign him and see what he can do at the pro level.

NIKITA KOROSTELEV

DECISION: Try and Move Him

It pains me to say this. It really does.

When the Leafs drafted the Moscow native, I was ecstatic. I loved his game style and after watching him play in junior, he really looked like a guy who could become an offensive stud.

Korostelev enjoyed a successful final season in the OHL with a final total of 64 points through 55 games, split between the Sarnia Sting and the Peterborough Petes.

The main issue I have with signing Korostelev at this point is that there’s just simply too much talent on the forward front for him to really stand out.

I love Korostelev’s game and I think he’ll eventually become a solid NHLer , but there just  isn’t room for him on the team.

Korostelev is a solid prospect. If they don’t want to sign him, they can trade him.

He has this edge over Herzog.  If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to make a deal for a defenseman, Korostelev could be a piece heading the other way. If they can’t find a taker for him, he’ll re-enter the draft in 2017.

Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think the Toronto Maple Leafs should do with these prospects.

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