Welcome back to my Toronto Maple Leafs monthly prospect update.
Last time, we looked at what was probably the shortest report I’ve ever written, checking in on Toronto Maple Leafs prospects playing in the States. There were only four prospects to look at, but I can assure you this report will be much longer given the amount of talent we’re looking at. Without further ado, let’s take a look at how our future Leafs on the Marlies are doing so far this season.
Jeremy Bracco (RW, 2nd Round, 61st Overall in 2015).
The Maple Leafs drafted Bracco from the USNTDP back in 2015 and so far the pick is looking like a good one. Bracco is known for having a unique style of skating as well as elite passing skills and these skills have really shown so far this season, having registered eight assists and nine points in 15 games so far this year.
Andreas Borgman (D, Undrafted, Signed from SHL in 2017)
Andreas Borgman’s time in North America has been, well, strange to say the least. After having a very strong training camp back in September of 2017, Borgman cracked the Leafs’ defensive core and earned a spot on opening night. He appeared in 48 games for the Leafs and registered 11 points before being reassigned to the Marlies in January of 2018. He hasn’t seen NHL ice since then but after a strong start to the season that saw him put up 10 points in 15 games, he could potentially earn himself a callup barring any injuries.
Adam Brooks (C, 4th Round, 92nd Overall in 2016)
The Maple Leafs drafted the small centre during his overage season in the WHL that saw him put up a whopping 130 points in 66 games. Brooks is currently in his second season with the Marlies that saw him put up two points in three games but has unfortunately been forced to sit out for a good chunk of games due to a heart problem. He made his return to the team last night.
Pierre Engvall (LW, 7th Round, 188th Overall in 2014)
Engvall is a prospect who was going far under the radar up until last year. The 6’4 Swedish winger had a very good SHL season that saw him put up 20 points in 31 games and earn himself an entry-level contract. Engvall is once again finding success in the AHL with 10 points in 13 games so far, and could be one of the first guys to call up barring injury. It’s been reported that Engvall’s biggest strength in his game is his skating, which is huge for him considering his size.
Carl Grundstrom (LW, 2nd Round, 57th Overall in 2016)
We just talked about a Swedish left wing lighting up the AHL, so let’s talk about another.
Carl Grundstrom was the Maple Leafs’ steal of the 2016 draft. Obviously, he hasn’t played an NHL game yet, but I say steal in the sense that the Leafs got him way later than where he was projected to go. Experts had him ranked as a late first round pick, and the Leafs got him near the end of the second round. Boasting a game of goal scoring combined with gritty play, Grundstrom has 11 points in 13 games so far this year and the idea is that he’ll eventually be a middle six forward with the ability to score 20 goals.
Kasimir Kaskisuo (G, Undrafted, Signed from NCAA in 2016)
Kaskisuo is finally getting the chance to get some regular AHL playing time this season. After spending the majority of last season with the Chicago Wolves on loan, Kaskisuo has appeared in five games this year but hasn’t done too well with a record of 1-3-0, a save percentage of .871 and a goals against average of 4.49. He missed some time with injury this year and returned last night along with Adam Brooks, so he’ll remain in the AHL for the time being to hone his skills and further his development.
Timothy Liljegren (D, 1st Round, 17th Overall in 2017)
For years, Liljegren was projected to go second overall in the 2017 NHL draft behind Nolan Patrick, but after being sick with mono and missing a decent amount of his draft year, he slipped to 17th overall where the Leafs eagerly pounced on him. The 6’0 right handed defenseman is currently in his second AHL season and has registered seven points in 14 games so far this year. He could potentially see AHL time as early as this season, with a more likely chance to crack the roster next year.
Mason Marchment (LW, Undrafted, Signed to ELC in 2018)
With Marchment, it all started with an AHL deal back in 2016. Since then, he’s remained with the Marlies and he’s gotten better every season and earned himself an entry level deal at the end of last season. The son of former Leaf Bryan Marchment has put up seven points in 10 games thus far this season and could be another forward the Maple Leafs look at in terms of callups.
Trevor Moore (LW, Undrafted, Signed to ELC in 2016)
Like Marchment, Moore is living proof that you don’t need to be drafted to find success in the pros. Moore is so far leading the Marlies in points with 13 points in 13 games in his third full AHL season since being signed out of the University of Denver. Moore has earned himself a pair of callups but has yet to appear in an NHL game.
Andrew Nielsen (D, 3rd Round, 64th Overall in 2016)
Nielsen is currently playing in his third full AHL season but has unfortunately struggled to find success so far, being a healthy scratch for a number of games and only having registered three assists in seven games. He was once regarded as one of the Leafs’ top D prospects but having since been passed by Timothy Liljegren, Rasmus Sandin, and more, Nielsen will have to work very hard for an eventual NHL job.
Calle Rosen (D, Undrafted, Signed from SHL in 2017)
After being expected to make the Maple Leafs out of training camp last year due to his experience and success in Sweden, Rosen has instead been playing for the Marlies for almost the entirety of his time in North America. He’s found lots of success this season, however, putting up 13 points in 15 games. He joins a long waiting list of prospects who could face callups this season.
Rasmus Sandin (D, 1st Round, 29th Overall in 2018)
The Maple Leafs traded down to 29th overall in the most recent NHL Draft and used their pick to select Rasmus Sandin from the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL. Sandin has been incredibly impressive in his short AHL stint, putting up five points in six games. He will more than likely spend his entire season in the AHL to continue his develop but could see a callup as early as next season.
Dmytro Timashov (LW, 5th Round, 125th Overall in 2015)
While most prospects from the Leafs 2015 draft are slipping in the depth charts or aren’t even there anymore (Nielsen, Martins Dzierkals, Nikita Korostelev, etc), Timashov is doing everything in his power to make sure that he isn’t forgotten about by Leafs’ brass. He’s currently in his third full AHL season and has gotten better every year, this year putting up 10 points in 15 games so far.
Thanks for reading this series. I had a really good time writing it and updating you all on the future of our team. I’ll be back with this series a month from now.
All statistics and information obtained from eliteprospects.com and hockeydb.com