Tough Decisions for Toronto Maple Leafs Top Prospect Nick Abruzzese

Toronto Maple Leafs top prospect Nicholas Abruzzese will have a couple of decisions to make for the start of his 2020 season.

 Nicholas Abruzzese, 21, who played out of Havard University of the NCAA this past year rose to the top of Toronto Maple Leafs prospect ranks.

As a freshman in college Abruzzese tallied 44 points in 31 games which was good enough to be tied for third in NCAA scoring. He was also first amongst all NCAA freshmen in scoring.

Abruzzese, standing at only 5’9″, 161 lbs, is quite undersized, but, don’t let his size deceive you with how good he is. Similar to another undersized top Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, Nick Robertson, Abruzzese has great offensive upside and vision on the ice with a high level of drive and compete complimented with a scoring touch – something that all NHL coaches love.

Toronto Maple Leafs and Nicholas Abruzzesse

Nicholas Abruzzese

Position: C

H/W: 5’9″ 161 lbs

Shoots: Left

2019-20 Stats: 14 g – 30 a – 44 points

Drafted: 124th Overall, 2019

Here’s a full list of accolades Abruzzese has compiled over the past two seasons: (via eliteprospects.com)

2018-2019:

• USHL First All-Star Team
• USHL Most Assists (51)
• USHL Most Points (80)

2019-2020

• NCAA (All-USCHO) Third Team
• NCAA (East) Second All-American Team
• NCAA (ECAC) All-Rookie Team
• NCAA (ECAC) First All-Star Team
• NCAA (ECAC) Most Points (31)
• NCAA (ECAC) Rookie of the Year
• NCAA (New England) D1 All-Stars
• NCAA All-Ivy League First Team
• NCAA Ivy-League Rookie of the Year

Not yet to sign his entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Abruzzese is set to return to Havard this year to continue his education. Though due to the fact that the NCAA will not be resuming games for quite some time, they have announced that players will be allowed to (under school permission) play for another junior hockey club (USHL/CJHL). This does however not include CHL leagues (WHL, OHL, and QMJHL).

"Current student-athletes whose institutions will not be playing hockey during the fall semester will be permitted to participate in non-collegiate, amateur competition i.e. junior hockey on an outside team during the fall 2020 term (subject to school and conference approval). These student-athletes may compete on an outside team while remaining enrolled in their NCAA institution, which typically would not be allowed."

The problem being that these junior leagues only allow players to play up until the age of 20 – Abruzzese is already 21. So the young American is sort of stuck in limbo with some decisions on what to do with his development. Like Havard teammate, Jack Drury, Abruzzese could decide to leave the NCAA and pursue hockey overseas for his development. Though this path would prevent him from returning to the NCAA in the future.

Another option for the young centre is to head to the AHL – the requirement for play in the AHL is 20 – so we may see Abruzzese in a blue and white uniform sooner rather than later. The AHL could have the potential to prove well for Abruzzese, playing against bigger, stronger, older, and better talent.

In an interview in August, Dubas did mention how because of the young player’s age, (which means a low dollar value contract) he soon may have a chance at contending for a roster spot.

To this day Abruzzese remains unsigned with the Leafs, and it’s sure that that signing him will remain one of their top priorities until he is under contract. The Leafs hold his signing rights until the 2021 offseason. If he elects not to sign with the club, he will be ruled as a UFA.

Abruzzese, undersized, but skilled, serves as a top prospect for the Toronto Maple Leafs, although it’s speculated that the Toronto Maple Leafs may rather go for sizable veterans over the next few years as opposed to small rookies.

Because of this it may be a few more years of development for the centre to crack the NHL lineup. Nevertheless until then, Abruzzese will have some tough decisions to make for the development of his career and this season. Only time will tell if Abruzzese will live up to the hype and become yet another young skilled shifty piece for the Leafs to play with.