The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the early stages of the 2023 off-season. So far, they have fired general manager Kyle Dubas and lost assistant general manager Jason Spezza.
While Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan searches for a new GM, it’s important to remember all the players.
As pending unrestricted free agents like Alex Kerfoot or Justin Holl search for new teams this off-season, prospects are waiting to take their place.
Depending on how many prospects move from the Toronto Marlies to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Marlies will have a few roster spots available. Prospects from the ECHL will try to move up to the Marlies, and prospects who finished with their junior team are looking to turn pro.
The Leafs and Marlies both saw players make temporary jumps this season.
Time will tell if any of those players can take the next step and earn a permanent spot next season. With the Leafs looking for a new GM, it’s unknown if head coach Sheldon Keefe will return. It is hard to predict which players will excel when we don’t know who the head coach will be.
The same goes for the Toronto Marlies, who fired their coaching staff. Until a new head coach is appointed and an understanding of what the team is looking for, it will be hard to guess which prospects get full-time spots in the AHL.
Here is a look at the prospects with the best chance of advancing to the NHL or AHL for the 2023-24 season.