4 Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects to Watch in Traverse City

The Toronto Maple Leafs will send 26 prospects to Traverse city this weekend for a four-team tournament.

Over the span of four days, the Toronto Maple Leafs will take on the prospects of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings in a great preemptive event before training camp starts.

This tournament has been a staple on the Leafs calendar for years, as it’s a great opportunity to get an extra look at a few prospects who may have a chance at making the NHL roster, but for the most part, will consist of those who end up playing with the Toronto Marlies, Newfound Growlers or back in junior hockey.

This year’s roster will consist of 14 forwards, nine defenseman and three goalies, with a number of names who will be familiar, featuring players from the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 NHL Entry Draft Class.

As a result, you’ll see a mix of young and older players looking to make the team.

After watching the Leafs finally make it to the second round during last year’s playoffs, this will mark the first game since that Game 5 defeat against the Florida Panthers, which means it’s another year to begin our hopeless optimism.

The NHL season is right around the corner and here are four players to keep an eye on this weekend in Traverse City.

No. 2: Topi Niemela

If Niemela isn’t the best defenseman in this entire event, I’ll be shocked, so he’s definitely one to watch this weekend.

Drafted in the third round in 2020, Niemela is set for a full-time role with the Toronto Marlies, however I’d say there’s a slight chance he gets playing time with the Toronto Maple Leafs this season.

Certainly their blue-line is desperate for anyone with upside, and certainly the Leafs would love to have an impact player on an entry-level deal on their roster.

The reason I believe Niemela truly has a chance at making the Leafs roster is because of just how poor their current defensive group is.

Typically, I wouldn’t love the idea of bringing in a 21-year-old defenseman to fill a gap within a veteran group, but Niemela has a chance to become a top-four player before we know it.

He’s not only a talented player defensively, but the biggest thing to watch will be his offensive potential, in terms of rushing the puck and creating scoring opportunities.

If Niemela plays well here, expect him to get a serious look during training camp for the last defensive roster spot.

No. 3: Matthew Knies

Speaking of players who should dominate this event, Knies is no different as he should be the best forward on the Leafs all weekend.

Considering he is nearly a lock to make the NHL team, and is the team’s best hope to replace the value Michael Bunting brought to the team for just $900K, it would be quite disappointing if he wasn’t the best player at the upcoming tournament.

Coming off a 21 goal and 42 point season in 41 NCAA games last year, Knies has already shown that he can perform at a high-level against players between 18-24 years old, which is what this event will be made up of.

Personally, I’m a little surprised that the team is bringing Knies to this event, after he played well during the Leafs playoff run last season, but more game experience obviously helps his growth and potential.

If everything goes according to plan, don’t be shocked if Knies averages a goal-per-game and two points per-game in three games of action this weekend and has his hype heightened, as a result.

Knies should be in the Leafs top-six when the season starts and this tournament should only help that cause.

No. 4: Easton Cowan

With his first selection as the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brad Treliving drafted Easton Cowan 28th overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

Coming off a 20 goal, 53 point season, the 5-foot-11, 170 pound winger plays bigger than his size would suggest.

He’s a gritty forward who has an excellent hockey IQ, who projects to be a second-line NHLer down the road.

At 18-years-old, he’s clearly a few years away from making an impact at the NHL-level, however this is a player I want to see play.

Based on his size, it’ll be interesting to see if he looks small out there, even with other prospects, but most notably, I just want to see how his game adjusts to the professional level.

I have no idea how the lines are going to work out but it would be great to see Cowan paired beside a goal-scoring like Knies to see if he’s able to get him the puck.

As mentioned, Cowan’s playmaking abilities are his best attributes so if he can show that he can play with another elite player like Knies, it could really help his stock to make the roster in the next few years.

I can’t see someone like Cowan making the roster until 2025, but this is a big first step for the youngster, as he starts his professional hockey journey.