5 Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Prospects That Are Almost Ready for the NHL
The Toronto Maple Leafs have decisions to make for next year. There are many players that are up for contract renewals, potentially leaving plenty of holes in the lineup.
Although the estimated nearly $19 million in capspace (Capfriendly.com) will help, with some of the reported players that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in when free agency comes around, it can quickly diminish that space.
This could still leave some jobs on the roster up for grabs and the Leafs will need contributions from young entry-level players.
In fact, it cannot be overstated how important it is to have contributing players on cheap contracts. The Leafs should already have Liljegren, Holmberg, Robertson and McMann in the lineup next year on cheap contracts, but if they can add one or two of the following players, it opens up a whole new level of flexibility.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have spent years thinking they were on the verge of a Stanley Cup and augmenting their roster with outside help, leaving very little chance of an unheralded rookie making an impact.
As the team's management works to open up another window, they would be well served to audition the following players to see what they can do to help.
Besides that, there are many prospects that seem poised to play NHL games next year. Between forcing their way onto the team and with injuries that always occur, there are opportunities available. So, it makes sense to look at some especially at forward who could push their way through and make the jump to the NHL.
All Stats via: Eliteprospects.com
Easton Cowan
After being drafted 28th overall last season, most Leafs fans and NHL fans in general let out a proverbial “WHAT?” When they heard Cowan’s name called.
Most scouting services had him slated to go in the later half of the second round or beyond but only one year later, it looks like the correct call.
After capturing the Red Tilson Trophy for the OHL’s most outstanding player of the year on top of a record-breaking 36-game point streak to end his season.
Cowan looks poised to at the very least get an extended look in a Leafs uniform next year.
There are not too many players in Cowan’s shoes that do not play in the NHL next season.
Mitch Marner, Alex DeBrincat, and Wyatt Johnston are all recent examples of players who won the award in their DY+1 and went on to play their rookie season. Most of the other drafted prospects who have won either won it in their DY and went on to make their debut that next season or were eligible for the AHL the following year and played there with at least some NHL time.
It is not impossible to imagine a scenario where he is sent back to the Knights, but precedent and his play tip the scales in his favor. He is only listed at 5-11 and 185lbs but he does not play like it, possessing an excellent set of tools in his belt to make him an effective piece in the Leafs lineup almost immediately.
He can forecheck hard with his high motor and use his high hockey-IQ to make plays, which should help his case as that is exactly what the Leafs need out of a forward in their top-nine.
Of course, he should not be rushed but if he shows he can play in training camp, let him play.
Fraser Minten
Last season, Minten impressed enough in camp to warrant an extended look playing four games before being sent back to the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers.
It is important to note that Minten was a lot better than some of the guys the Leafs ended up keeping. Ultimately, he didn't end up scoring a goal, but it's not like he looked out of place.
Spending most of his time on a line with Calle Jarnkrok and Matthew Knies, Minten posted a 52% Xgoals rating and earned a longer audition than he received.
The Leafs - had they not had designs on a Stanley Cup - might very well have kept him all season because he was ineligible for the AHL but hardly needed another year of junior.
After returning he was promptly dealt to the Saskatoon Blades. Overall, his production saw a slight decline from 1.18 points per game the year prior to 1.16 this past year. Still, he has an interesting profile.
The Leafs 34th overall pick in 2022 will at the very least play in the AHL but I would not be surprised if he makes the jump right to the NHL.
He plays a mature and defensively responsible game, already possessing an NHL ready shot. He relies heavily on his IQ, which would lend itself well to a potential 3rd line role with the team.
This is all in addition to his already pro size at 6’2 and 194lbs and his natural position as an always coveted center, tipping the scale.
His game and attributing factors could force Leafs brass’ hand when it comes to putting together the opening night lineup.
Alex Steeves
Steeves has been in the Leafs system for three years now with his entry-level deal about to expire.
However, he is still only 24 years old and has proven himself enough at the AHL-level to deserve a shot whether it be with the Leafs or elsewhere.
Through 188 games with the Marlies he has scored 69 goals and 85 assists for 154 points and this season hit a career high 57 points in 65 games.
Despite his high AHL production, it feels likely that he would be more of a depth piece with the big club as either a 13th forward or in a bottom-six role.
His skating and scoring ability can make him a decent contributor in that role with the possibility of moving up the lineup in a pinch. If he can adapt to a more puck retrieval role, he could definitely move himself into a useful cheap option for the Leafs.
This would give them more freedom to invest more in other positions throughout the roster. Mainly for this reason, this may finally be the year he breaks through though he could once again find himself on the outside with the Leafs logjam.
Nikita Grebyonkin
It has been a meteoric rise for a player only drafted two years ago and in the fifth round no less.
Even being drafted as an overager, most fifth round picks are seen as projects who are at minimum three to five years away.
That is why they usually slip so far, they are a work in progress needing major refinement in areas or that they have a lower ceiling.
Grebyonkin has since seemingly smashed that ceiling to pieces when he won KHL’s rookie of the year in 2023 scoring nine goals and 26 points in 52 games between Metallurg Magnitogorsk and Amur Khabarovsk.
He then went and bested his totals this past year, scoring 19 goals and 41 points in 61 games with Metallurg.
He plays a well-rounded game with slick puck-skills and playmaking abilities while also not being afraid to use his 6-2 192lbs frame and engage in battles for the puck. He has also taken steps to improve his shot, as evidenced by the 10 goal jump from 2022-23.
After signing his entry-level contract, Grebyonkin is slated to come to Toronto next year. As of right now, the potential seems to be that of a top-six or middle-six NHL forward but it is not inconceivable that with his tools, he could debut almost anywhere in the Leafs top-nine this fall.
Though, it would not be crazy to see him get at least some time with the Marlies while he transitions to the North American game. Whether he makes the team this season or not, as of right now, it looks like he would go much higher than 135th in a redraft.
Ryan Tverberg
Following the theme of beating the odds and exceeding expectations, there is nothing closer to this than Tverberg.
In his draft year, he played in the OJHL, staying in Junior A in order to maintain NCAA eligibility. Then, he was drafted in the seventh round by the Leafs (who traded into the round to acquire him). Then, went to the University of Connecticut and quickly became one of their best forwards winning Hockey East first team all-star honours, second team all-American and a Hobey Baker nomination.
He turned pro last season and once again rose the ranks on the Marlies, becoming a mainstay in their top-six by season’s end after scoring nine goals and 32 points in 46 games.
His hard forechecking and net-front style mixed with his punishing two-way play and offensive creativity makes him an interesting dark horse candidate for a bottom-six role with the Leafs.
He brings the bite that any team covets and if he can refine his game, he could be a sleeper candidate to develop into a top-nine “puck retriever” type role.
There have been many players who have seen usage in this role with the Leafs stars but none have been a true homegrown player like Tverberg. Even if he does not, his high floor seems to beg the question of when he will make the Leafs roster, not if.
Much has been made about the Leafs lack of first round picks over the past half-decade plus but it is a testament to the scouting and management/player development staff that there are at least a handful of prospects knocking on the door.
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This is just the forwards as well, taking a larger look, there could conceivably be as many as 10 prospects that are close to the NHL. Whether they make it or not, only time will tell.