Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Training Camp Shocker

LUCAN, ON - SEPTEMBER 18: Head coach Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs talks to his players during a morning skate at Kraft Hockeyville Canada at the Lucan Community Memorial Centre on September 18, 2018 in Lucan, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
LUCAN, ON - SEPTEMBER 18: Head coach Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs talks to his players during a morning skate at Kraft Hockeyville Canada at the Lucan Community Memorial Centre on September 18, 2018 in Lucan, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
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OTTAWA, ON – SEPTEMBER 19: Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Jeremy Bracco (59) keeps an eye on the play during second period National Hockey League preseason action between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators on September 19, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – SEPTEMBER 19: Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Jeremy Bracco (59) keeps an eye on the play during second period National Hockey League preseason action between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators on September 19, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Josh Tessler

If I had to name a player in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization that will shock everyone and make the team, I’d go with Jeremy Bracco.

Bracco reminds me a lot of Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens. He’s undersized as he’s 5’9” and 181 lbs, but he still proves that he can be an outstanding power forward. The native of Freeport, New York had a solid rookie season with the Toronto Marlies last year. In 50 games played, he registered 6 goals and 26 assists.

He also played a few games in the Calder Cup playoffs with the AHL club. While he didn’t play every game and was a scratch, he shouldn’t be looked at as someone who doesn’t have the necessary skills to play every night.

The Marlies roster was loaded with talent and someone was going to have to sit out. Unfortunately, Bracco had to sit out.

In game two of the preseason against the Ottawa Senators, Bracco was impressive. Calle Rosen had set up Bracco with pass right to him and Bracco put the puck right past Mike McKenna for his first goal of the preseason.

If Bracco can continue his success this preseason, it’ll be hard for Mike Babcock to not keep him with the club.