The Toronto Maple Leafs have a well-stocked prospects cupboard. Some of them need to produce this season as Toronto looks for more inexpensive help this season and beyond.
After this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have seven players becoming unrestricted free agents. Toronto general manager Kyle Dubas will need inexpensive options to fill those roster spots. Some players on the Toronto Marlies in the AHL need to make that job easier for him by having a great 2022-23 season and pushing for an NHL roster spot.
Out of the seven UFAs, Michael Bunting is the most important for Toronto to re-sign. Bunting registered 23 goals and 40 assists for 63 points in 79 games last season. His numbers could increase in 2022-23 if he continues to play on the same line as Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. He will earn a good portion of next season’s salary cap.
(Stats from hockey-reference.com)
The Toronto Maple Leafs have just over $15 million in available cap space for next season. Between now and the end of this season, that number will change. Toronto still needs to re-sign Rasmus Sandin, costing around $2 million. So if Toronto is at $13 million or less before re-signing Bunting, Dubas will need to fill out his roster with players making $1.5 million or less. Toronto prospects playing with the Toronto Marlies all make under $1 million, but they need to be ready for the NHL. (Salary cap info from capfriendly.com)
Prospects With a Chance to Join the Toronto Maple Leafs Soon
Nick Robertson
Nick Robertson got drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the 2019 NHL draft. The following season, Robertson registered 55 goals and 31 assists for 86 points in 46 games for the Peterborough Petes of the OHL. Toronto drafting Robertson in the second round was looking like a steal. (Stats from eliteprospects.com)
Due to injuries, Robertson has been unable to play consistently. He registered 28 points in 28 games last season for the Marlies. Staying healthy and playing at a point-per-game pace will earn Robertson another chance in the NHL.
Alex Steeves
Alex Steeves signed a three-year entry-level contract with Toronto before the start of the 2021-22 season. He recorded 23 goals and 23 assists for 46 points in 58 games with the Marlies. If Steeves can record similar numbers this season, he will earn a chance to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He is quickly moving up Toronto’s prospect ladder. Last season is evidence as to why that is. Steeves should get more playing time on the Marlies this season. Hopefully, he will make the most of it.
Topi Niemela
Topi Niemela got drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round of the 2020 NHL draft. He ranks as one of Toronto’s top three prospects. Last season, Niemela registered ten goals and 22 assists for 32 points in 48 games for Karpat in Liiga.
Whether he plays for Karpat or the Marlies, Niemela’s 2022-23 season will determine if Toronto thinks he is NHL-ready. I would like to see him play in the AHL this season to better prepare him for playing in North America. However, if he has the talent, it will not matter.