Sam McCue
After being one of the earlier cuts in Leafs camp, the 2024 seventh round pick rejoined the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack and was promptly handed a two game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct.
So far this season he has scored three goals and seven points in eight games. His bread and butter is his edgy style which can get him into trouble, but that is the cost of doing business for a player like him. Hopefully, he can continue scoring at a point-per-game rate throughout the year.
Matthew Lahey
Lahey is a big physical defender who was drafted in the seventh round, 200th overall in 2024 out of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). Former Leafs director of scouting Wes Clark, joked at the Draft that "I think we know what Tre likes, so we try to execute." This was not specifically about Lahey but he fits the mould of a typical Treliving draft pick.
Since his draft, he has joined the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League (USHL) as he gears up for a move to Clarkson University starting next year. He is not a major point-getter but this is a part of his game that will hopefully see improvement as he currently has three in nine games. He has a July 2006 birthdate, so there is plenty of time for him to develop at the Collegiate level for the next four or five years.
Nathan Mayes
Taken with the last pick of the 2024 draft, Mayes is a big defenseman at 6-4 and 201lbs and he is not afraid to use this size to punish opposing players.
Given his selection, he seems to be a project player who was chosen mainly due to his defensive tools and having the coveted physical traits. He is not overly flashy but does possess some proficiency when it comes to breaking pucks out and moving the puck through quick passes and skating with it when there is some open space. (All stats and information via eliteprospects.com)
This season, he should look to develop more offensively while remaining to be a dominant defender logging big minutes on the penalty kill. His profile definitely seems projectable to a professional game but whether he makes it there remains to be seen. So far this year, he has played 10 games with one goal and five points and is on pace to smash his draft year total of 16 points by a large margin.
I hope to continue to provide prospect updates for the entire pool on a near monthly basis for the rest of the season. Next, I will be looking at the Toronto Marlies and Cinncinati Cyclones and going over any Leafs prospects there.