No. 4: Alex Steeves
When the news broke about Toronto’s “untouchable” prospects, I was surprised that Alex Steeves’ name wasn’t included.
The 22-year-old has had a marvelous season registering 31 points in 32 games with the Toronto Marlies this year; building off a fantastic senior season in the NCAA, with Notre Dame.
Steeves was a Hobey Baker Finalist during his last year with Notre Dame and that momentum has definitely continued at the professional level. Although Steeves is a centre and Zach Hyman was a winger, they share a lot of similarities in their development and Toronto shouldn’t be so quick to ship him away in a trade, although he’ll be wanted.
Hyman was also a four-year collegiate player, who was a Hobey Baker Finalist in his senior year and followed that up with 37 points in 59 games with the Marlies in his first professional season.
Steeves is undersized (5-foot-11, 185 pounds), compared to Hyman (6-foot-1, 210 pounds), but he also plays a more important position (centre vs. wing).
If Toronto can avoid trading Steeves, it would be ideal, but if he was used in a package that got them J.T. Miller, that wouldn’t be a bad thing either.
Toronto’s prospect-pool is very strong right now, so don’t be shocked if one of these players gets traded at the Deadline for a rental.