Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects: Risers and Fallers 2023

The Toronto Maple Leafs may not have a truly “elite” level prospect but that doesn’t mean their system lacks quality.

On the contrary, there are plenty of solid prospects who will probably turn out to be good NHLers for the Toronto Maple Leafs in some capacity.

On top of the depth of the pool, there is no lack of quantity either.

The Leafs have spent the last half decade trading most of their top picks, but at the same time they’ve beeb drafting players for high ceiling talent and hockey smarts.

Eventually, we may see this pay-off with an unexected star or two.

Despite being a consistent playoff team, the Leafs have still made 29 picks since 2019.

Over that time, had they acquired no picks and kept all of their own, they would have made 35 selections. There has also been attempts to reconcile this difference through signing undrafted players.

This investment in the player development and scouting departments have given the Toronto Maple Leafs the ability to insert capable players into the lineup when faced with injury.

A bit of housekeeping before I dive in, just because a prospect is a “riser” or “faller” does not mean the prospect has changed places too much. It is more of a way to highlight prospects who had good and bad years.

Progression is never linear and many NHL players have had down years as prospects and went on to be good players. At the same time, many busts have had great development seasons. This is not a ranking.

Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects: Risers

Vyacheslav Peksa, G

DOB: 08-27-2002

Drafted: Sixth round, 185th overall, 2021

Last team: Bars Kazan (VHL)

The Toronto Maple Leafs seem to be in good hands with their Russian scout.

As will become evident later on, Peksa is one of many Leafs Russian prospects that have catapulted themselves up prospect rankings with their performance last season.

He made the transition from the Russian juniors (MHL) to the second-tier pro league (VHL) and showed no signs of needing to adjust.

Despite a losing record of 13-19-6, he had a .921% save percentage (SV%) through 40 games. He ranked fourth across the VHL in U-21 players in terms of SV% despite playing the most games of any player ahead of him.

He signed his entry-level contract earlier in the off-season but will return to Russia next season. This gives him another year of development likely playing another season at the VHL level, while allowing other goaltending prospects to develop in the AHL and ECHL.

Hopefully, he will come over to North America in 2024 and should be able to battle for a spot with the Toronto Marlies or Newfoundland Growlers. As it currently sits, Peksa is arguably the Leafs top goaltending prospect.

Braeden Kressler, C

DOB: 01-05-2003

Drafted: Undrafted (CHL Free Agent)

Last team: Flint Firebirds (OHL)

After an unfortunate injury that derailed his campaign in 2021-22, Kressler has bounced back in a big way.

Before the 2022-23 season, Kressler had played a total of 74 games in the OHL, scoring 14 goals and 20 assists.

This past year he hit a major stride, scoring 25 goals and 27 assists in only 47 games. Next season, he will likely make his professional debut with the Toronto Marlies where he will hopefully carry this momentum.

Looking ahead, he should benefit from a lot of the recent moves made by thee Leafs/Marlies. Due to cap implications, the Marlies will likely have more high-end prospects from the Leafs, giving Kressler better linemates to play with as a result.

As well, there have been moves made with the departure of Semyon Der-Arguchintsev to the KHL and Mikhail Abramov at the deadline, opening up spots at the centre ice position for someone like Kressler to slot in. These conditions should afford him the best opportunities to make an impact and progress at the pro level.

Artur Akhtyamov, G

DOB: 10-31-2001

Drafted: Fourth round, 106th overall, 2020

Last team: Neftyanik Almetievsk (VHL)

Artur Akhtyamov is one of three Russian prospects that fall in the risers category.

Originally drafted in the fourth round in 2020, Akhtyamov has made steady improvements each season since his draft year.

This past season he played his sophmore year in second-tier Russian pro level, the VHL for Neftyanik Almetievsk. There, he held a 20-12-6 record with a league leading .943% save percentage (SV%) in 39 games.

On July 1st, he signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs and after coming over for development camp a few weeks ago, it was announced he would return to Russia this upcoming year.

There he should continue to impress and may find himself as the third string netminder in Ak Bars Kazan’s system.

If this is the case, he should be able to get a shot at some KHL playing time. He plays an exciting and aggressive style, pulling off highlight reel saves. Now that he has signed his ELC, he will hopefully come over to North America over the next couple years where he can develop with the Marlies or Growlers.

Joe Miller, LW

DOB: 09-15-2002

Drafted: Round Six, 180th Overall, 2020

Last team: Harvard University (NCAA)

Due to many factors beyond his control, Joe Miller might be one of the Toronto Maple Leafs more underrated prospects.

The 20-year-old had a fantastic freshman year at Harvard University that saw him score 13 goals and 15 assists in 33 games. This comes after recording 68 points in 62 games with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL).

If you can’t tell I am personally very high on Miller, his size likely limits his upside as he comes in at only 5-foot-8 and roughly 150 pounds. However, his production as a second line winger makes him very intriguing and mixed with his high offensive IQ, he could blossom into a steal.

Given his birthdate making him very young relative to his draft year, if he decides to go the distance in the NCAA playing all four years, he will still only be 23 by the end of his collegiate career.

He will be very interesting to keep an eye on how he develops over the next few seasons, especially if he can add more strength to his frame, he could be a solid NHL player in the future.

Nick Robertson, LW/RW

Dob: September 11, 2001

Drafted: Second round, 53rd Overall, 2019

Last Team: Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)

Unfortunately, last season was another injury-riddled year for Nick Robertson who was sidelined for the rest of the season in January.

This came after electing for shoulder surgery stemming from an injury suffered in early December.

It’s a tough spot for the young winger to be in as he has missed significant time in vital developmental seasons from the pandemic and costly injuries.

Over the past two seasons alone he has only played a total of 55 games split between the AHL and NHL.

On the brightside, Robertson will just be turning 22 in September and does have at least a couple years of important development time.

Still, he will need to have a solid and healthy season in order to continue his development. Injury concerns aside, Robertson has a high ceiling with an NHL-calibre shot and a relentless motor that could drive him to be an everyday NHL player on it’s own.

Hopefully, he will get the chance to round out his game and make a meaningful contribution in the Leafs lineup this season.

Alex Steeves, C/W

DOB: 12-10-1999

Drafted: Undrafted (College Free Agent)

Last team: Toronto Marlies (AHL)

Alex Steeves being listed as a “faller” may come as a surprise to some and may even be a bit harsh on my part.

However, he hasn’t made a significant stride yet.

Of course his production as a rookie in the AHL two seasons ago is still impressive with 23 goals and 23 assists in 58 games. I would have expected more this past year but his production didn’t see any real improvement as he went from 0.79 PPG to 0.78 PPG.

On top of his stagnant production, his skillset has holes with his skating being the most glaring.

He will likely get games at the NHL level but he currently lacks any dynamic ability that sets him apart from other prospects.

Still, if given the opportunity, he could fit in on a bottom-six role.

Topi Niemela, RHD

DOB: 03-25-2002

Drafted: Third round, 64th Overall, 2020

Last team: Karpat (Liiga)

Similar to Robertson, Topi Niemela being a faller doesn’t bump him far down my own personal prospect rankings.

He still remains one of the top prospects in the Leafs system and still stands as the top defensive prospect. Yet, I was very underwhelmed by his performance this past season after having an incredible season the year before.

He went from producing 32 points in 48 games in the Liiga in 2021-22 to 18 points in 58 games last season.

The one bright spot came when he joined the Marlies for their playoff run where he produced five points in seven games. Thankfully, points aren’t the be-all end-all for defensemen and Niemela is credited with having a smart and well refined two-way game.

If he spends the full season in North America – which he likely will- I would hope he can adapt to the style and continue his development. As I said before, he remains the Leafs top defensive prospect and I have little doubt in his ability to bounce back from this down year. (All stats and information from Elite Prospects).

It should also be remembered that progression is not linear and many prospects who are on this list today could be busts or NHL stars tomorrow.

The key takeaway from this list is that the Toronto Maple Leafs have a very exciting prospect pool and there are many ups and downs along the way to their eventual goal of playing professional hockey at the NHL level.