Opportunity Knocks For Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects
The Toronto Maple Leafs experienced an exodus of players during the recent opening of NHL free agency. Their unrestricted free agents flew out the door at an alarming pace. Prospects are needed to fill the void.
The additions of Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, John Klingberg, and Ryan Reaves helped fill some roster spots, but only one of them (Reaves) signed for more than one year.
During free agency general manager Brad Treliving chose to augment next year’s lineup with the “bet-on-yourself” contracts signed by Bertuzzi, Domi, and Klingberg.
For success in the salary cap era, organizations need meaningful contributions from young players that are on entry-level deals. For a tight-to-the-cap team like the Leafs, this is especially so. A couple of Toronto Maple Leafs prospects will be counted on to deliver this season.
Opportunity Knocks For Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects
After years of being a contender and subsequently drafting low, the Leafs lack any kind of blue-chip high-end prospects.
Former general manager Kyle Dubas left the prospect cupboard in good shape, considering the low picks and a penchant for trading them. You can’t criticize the Leafs for trading picks to win, because that is a standard practice, but you do with the Ryan O’Rielly and Nick Foligno trade deadline deals had brought in better results.
With few first-round pick prospects, the pressure on recent second-round picks Nick Robertson and Matthew Knies mounts.
Rightfully, there was lots of excitement around Knies’ end-of-season cameo last year and his play during the playoffs before he was injured. He brings size and skill to the Leafs forward units.
A big winger with soft hands and the ability to take hits or play along the boards is a welcome addition to the club. Yet, with that comes increased expectations. Many a prospect has succumbed to the pressure of playing in the hockey hotbed of Toronto.
Knies has also yet to play a full season of NHL hockey. If he does, that will be more than twice the games he played during his years with the Minnesota Gophers.
Lost in the shuffle in recent years is Nick Robertson. He was a second-round pick in 2019. He brings speed and a lightning-quick shot.
His problem has been staying healthy. He has not cracked the forty-games played mark since his days with the Peterborough Petes of the OHL. Some of that is a result of bad luck, but he has a slight frame and is in danger of being designated as “injury-prone”.
It is incumbent that he stay healthy for a full year to fulfill his potential. His chances are soon going to run out.
A year from now, it is likely that the Leafs will see a few more veterans depart. Consistent contenders replenish their roster through prospects in their system.
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Leafs prospects Knies and Robertson have their opportunity. Soon, we’ll find out what they intend to do with it.