Toronto Maple Leafs February AHL Prospect Review

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 11: Kasperi Kapanen #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates with team-mate Jason Spezza #19 after scoring the game winning goal against the Arizona Coyotes at the Scotiabank Arena on February 11, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 11: Kasperi Kapanen #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates with team-mate Jason Spezza #19 after scoring the game winning goal against the Arizona Coyotes at the Scotiabank Arena on February 11, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/NHLI via Getty Images)
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LAVAL, QC – DECEMBER 28: Toronto Marlies right wing Jeremy Bracco (27) about to cross the blue line with the puck during the Toronto Marlies versus the Laval Rocket game on December 28, 2019, at Place Bell in Laval, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAVAL, QC – DECEMBER 28: Toronto Marlies right wing Jeremy Bracco (27) about to cross the blue line with the puck during the Toronto Marlies versus the Laval Rocket game on December 28, 2019, at Place Bell in Laval, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

RW; Jeremy Bracco, 22, 5’11, 185

AHL (GP; 44, G; 4, A; 30, PTS; 34)

This season has been nothing short of disappointing for Jeremy Bracco. Coming off a 79 point season, many Leaf fans, including myself, thought Bracco would absolutely tear the AHL up this season. That hasn’t exactly been the case and as a result, Bracco is now considered in about every single trade proposal any Toronto Maple Leafs fan makes.

The biggest question right now is, where the heck did Jeremy Bracco go? It’s almost like Leafs Nation has been sending out bat signals to find out why he’s not been in the lineup for the past 4 games. If it is mental or physical, I truly hope Bracco gets healthy soon. Life is bigger than hockey, so it’s important for Bracco to take some time for himself and reset.

My one definite guess is that since Bracco requested a trade at the start of the season, management is not letting the “inmates run the asylum” here.

Playing the right wing, Bracco is climbing an uphill battle on the Toronto Maple Leafs depth chart. With the likes of Marner, Nylander and Kapanen taking up the top 9, Bracco is on the outside looking in.

ETA; Now- he has the skill for the NHL, but depth charts and lack of defensive game hold him back.

Potential; Top 6 RW forward, power play/ shootout specialist, but needs to be put in a heavily protected role. He has boom or bust potential.