Top 5 Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects Flying Under the Radar
The prospect pool for the Toronto Maple Leafs may be deeper than we think.
Over the past few seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs have stockpiled draft picks and although many are not ready for the NHL, there are number flying under the radar.
Everybody knows the names like Nick Robertson, Ramus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren and recent 15th overall selection Rodion Amirov, but you may not be familiar with the late-round picks. As much as the First or Second Round picks are more well-known and hyped for success, it’s the diamonds in the rough that can make or a break a team.
Alex Kerfoot, Zach Hyman, Jake Muzzin and Freddie Andersen are just a few names of current Maple Leafs who were former late-round picks. Although they turned into everyday NHLers, it wasn’t always that way. For most of these players, it took between 3-5 years for them to make it to the best league in the world, so even players drafted as late as 2015 could still be considered solid prospects.
As an organization, it’s tough to wait forever for a prospect to develop. The Toronto Maple Leafs just went through this experiment with Jeremy Bracco, who was drafted in 2015. After three seasons in the AHL, the team decided to let Bracco walk in free agency instead of re-signing him and giving him a shot in the NHL.
For the past few seasons, Bracco has been the Toronto Marlies best offensive player, but the team refused to give him a shot at the next level. His offensive skills were NHL-worthy, but the Leafs felt his entire game wasn’t quite ready for the next step.
After what felt like a late second-round steal of the draft, it unfortunately turned into a bust as Bracco never played one NHL game. Let’s hope that’s different for these five prospects who are flying under the radar right now.
#5. Mikhail Abramov
Drafted: Round 4, 115th Overall, 2019 NHL Entry Draft
Position: Centre, shoots left
Not only did the Toronto Maple Leafs steal Nick Robertson in the second round with the 53rd overall selection, but they may have gotten another stud in the fourth round.
Abramov currently plays in the QJMHL and had an excellent season last year. With 76 points in 63 games, Abramov led his team, the Victoriaville Tigers, in scoring. Not only has he been an offensive threat for Victoriaville, but he was named the captain of the team, which is a great responsibility for any player.
Kyle Dubas and the Toronto Maple Leafs organization is built around speed and skill first, and that’s exactly the type of player that Abramov is. He’s a little undersized for a centre, weighing only 185 pounds, but with age should come size.
Not only has Abramov produced highly for his club team, but he’s been invited to play for Team Russia for a number of different teams over the past few seasons. From the U-17 team to the most recent Karjala Cup, it’s expected that he will get the nod to represent his country at the World Junior Hockey Championships (WJHC).
Toronto Maple Leafs fans should be watching Team Russia games very closely and should be very impressed with what Mikhail Abramov can offer.
#4. Mikko Kokkonen
Drafted: Round 3, 84th overall, 2019 NHL Entry Draft
Position: Defense, shoots left
The more draft picks you can select that are playing in the WJHC, the better. Not only did Kokkonen play in the WJHC, but he was named “Player of the Game” in Team Finland’s semi-final loss.
As one of the best Finnish defensive prospects, it’s almost certain that he’ll be representing Team Finland once again this December at the WJHC, so watch out for him. He’s not a big player on the blue-line, listed at 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, but in today’s modern NHL, you don’t have to be.
The left-handed defenseman probably won’t be making an impact in North America for 1-2 seasons, as he’ll continue to mature in Europe. However, he’s an exciting prospect to look out for. If you look at his offensive stats, they’re not flashy, but that’s not his style of player.
Hayden Soboleski of DobberProspects mentioned that Kokkonen’s strong point is his “200-foot play,” so that’s important. Kokkonen has a high-ceiling and at only 19-years-old, it should be noted that he’s been playing in Finland’s elite hockey league for three full seasons now. The ability to play against men, instead of staying in junior should give him an advantage, as he gets ready for the next step.
#3. Pontus Holmberg
Drafted: Round 6, 156th overall, 2018 NHL Entry Draft
Position: Left Wing, shoots left
There have been some disappointment for Pontus Holmberg over the past few seasons, but we’re far away from giving up on him. The 21-year-old, along with Team Sweden, had a rough few weeks at the WJHC. His team failed to play for a medal, while he contributed 0 points in five games.
Despite the tough season, this will be his third full season in the Swedish Elite League and he’s off to a great start. In 12 games, he already has five goals and seven points. With a previous career-high of seven goals and 17 points, that’s a great start for the young prospect.
Even though he’s in his third season, he’s still one of the youngest players on the team, so fans shouldn’t be too worried about his slow rookie and sophomore campaigns. When Holmberg was originally drafted, it was because of solid puck possession skills, which is a strong point for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Holmberg has a chance to crack the NHL in the next two years because of his position. Left-wing is probably the Toronto Maple Leafs weakest in any position, so if he has a strong season in the Swedish Elite League, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him in the American Hockey League soon, then quite possibly the NHL.
#2. Mac Hollowell
Drafted: Round 4, 118th overall, 2018 NHL Entry Draft
Position: Defense, shoots right
To me, Hollowell is the most intriguing prospect the Toronto Maple Leafs have. Although he’s only played a handful of games at the AHL-level, I’m very impressed from what I’ve seen. His size jumps out at you, but not for the typical reason. At 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, he’s very small for his position, but makes up for it in different ways.
Hollowell is gifted offensively and is a very good skater. His vision at the blue-line is also one of his best attributes. As we’ve seen with Kyle Dubas during his tenure in Toronto, he loves to go back to the well with the Soo Greyhounds, as Hollowell is a Greyhounds alum.
In his draft year, Hollowell had 56 points and 12 goals, but those numbers rocketed one year later. It was a breakout season for him, as he doubled his goal-total, scoring 24 goals and contributing 77 points. During his short tenure with the Toronto Marlies, his point totals aren’t off the charts, but they’re good with 12 points in 34 games.
It’s unsure whether or not the AHL season is going to get off the ground this year, but if it does, Hollowell should be a key contributor to the blue-line. If you haven’t heard of this player yet, I recommend you getting to know him, because he could turn into the surprise pick of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft for the Leafs.
#1. Nick Abruzzese
Drafted: Round 4, 124th overall, 2019 NHL Entry Draft
Position: Centre, shoots right
Like many Toronto Maple Leafs prospects, Abruzzese is an under-sized forward. However, like most of them, he has a ton of skill and promise.
The one reason you may not have heard of Abruzzese yet is because of where he plays. Having played junior hockey in the USHL, he moved onto the NCAA with Harvard University. Since he’s not playing in the traditional OHL, QJMHL or WHL, he may have been flying under the radar, but shouldn’t be.
After getting drafted in the fourth round, there wasn’t much expectations for Abruzzese. However, he’s continued to excel well beyond his draft position. In his rookie season, he was named NCAA ECAC Rookie of the Year after scoring 44 points in 31 games.
It’s unsure whether or not Abruzzese will play centre or wing at the professional level, but either way would be a blessing for the the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team only has a handful of forwards signed in two seasons (when Abruzzese would be getting looked at), and with $40M still tied up in four forwards, they’ll need Entry Level Contracts to fill out the roster.
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Abruzzese’s play-making skills and offense are definitely his best components, so the Toronto Maple Leafs and their fans should hope that continues in the NCAA for the next few years, before he’s ready to make the jump to the NHL.