5 Toronto Maple Leafs Players to Watch at NHL Prospect Tournament

LAVAL, QC - OCTOBER 27: Semyon Der-Arguchintsev #19 of the Toronto Marlies takes a shot near Michael Pezzetta #23 of the Laval Rocket during the third period at Place Bell on October 27, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Laval Rocket defeated the Toronto Marlies 5-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

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LAVAL, QC – OCTOBER 27: Semyon Der-Arguchintsev #19 of the Toronto Marlies takes a shot near Michael Pezzetta #23 of the Laval Rocket during the third period at Place Bell on October 27, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Laval Rocket defeated the Toronto Marlies 5-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Semyon Der-Arguchintsev

Better known as “SDR,” it feels like Der-Arguchintsev is one of the more underrated players in the Leafs system.

Drafted 76th overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Der-Arguchintsev had an impressive rookie campaign with the Toronto Marlies last year, finishing with 13 goals and 32 points.

The previous Peterborough Petes forward was best remembered in his last year of junior hockey, paired beside another Leafs prospect, Nick Robertson. The tandem were basically unstoppable, as Der-Arguchintsev finished with 63 assists in 55 games, while Robertson had 55 goals that season.

This is a big year for the youngster, as he’ll be looked upon as a first or second-line centre on the Marlies. I wouldn’t expect him to crack the Leafs line-up during the 2022-23 season, but he should be a player who lights up the Traverse City Tournament this weekend.

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