6. Fraser Minten
Age: 20
Height/Weight: 6'2",195 LBS.
Position: Centre
Shoots: Left
Draft: 2nd round, 38th overall
Fraser Minten is basically the forward version of Ben Danford. He's smart, he's good defensively, he can be a leader and he was drafted because he already seems like a pro.
But like Danford, his lack of offense is going to limit what he can do at the NHL level. Minten had a great camp last year and almost stuck around beyond the ten game mark of his tryout. This year he missed camp due to an injury, but is now back with the Marlies.
Minten, like Hirvonen, could end up getting a chance to play some centre in the NHL this year because of how thin the Leafs are at that position. If he can impress in the AHL, the Leafs might just be able to use him right now.
I ranked Minten ahead of Hirvonen because he's younger and bigger, but they are similar players - both are smart and good defensively and might not have enough scoring power to succeed in the NHL, but both will play NHL games for sure.
Minten's career potential is likely a third-line centre, but he could potentially be an elite one of those. And, who knows? He might find some previously untapped offensive potential and become a star after all - he has pretty much already exceeded what people thought he was when he was first drafted, so maybe he will end up better than we think.
As of now, however, he doesn't have the scoring ability or the creativity to be anything more than a 4th line centre in the NHL.