Every month throughout the NHL season we’ll be updating you on the development of key Toronto Maple Leafs prospects with up-to-date stats, videos and analysis.
For the first time in decades, it appears the Toronto Maple Leafs are preparing for a proper rebuild.
It’s a long overdue process for the Maple Leafs, who for too long have cut corners while trying to build on top of a shaky foundation.
Whether it’s the recent Stanley Cup champions in L.A. and Chicago, or rising teams like the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning, it’s become increasingly clear that building from the bottom up is the best way to create sustainable long-term success.
As for the Maple Leafs, although they have some pieces progressing nicely in the pipeline — along with recent top-10 picks in Nazem Kadri and Morgan Rielly — years of poor asset management have stunted the team’s growth.
The most glaring of which has been the team’s willingness to waste second-round draft picks. They tossed one away for Dave Bolland, while also allowing the conditional third-round pick given up for Peter Holland to unnecessarily turn into a second-rounder.
These type of decisions aren’t catastrophic, but they add up over time — it’s much more difficult to find NHL-calibre talent when you routinely only pick once in the top-60 of the draft. (In the last five drafts the Leafs have selected seven players within the first two rounds.)
In order to get the franchise back on course the Leafs are going to have to load up on picks and prospects to give the scouting and player development departments better odds to succeed.
They’re off to a good start this year with the haul they received for Cody Franson, Mike Santorelli and Daniel Winnik, but they are going to need more of the same between Monday’s trade deadline and the NHL draft in June.
With that being said, here’s a look at what the Leafs have in the system and how they performed in the month of February. There’s a lot to like, but there’s also a glaring lack of top-end talent ready to make the jump.
Bluechip prospects
High draft picks who are expected to turn into impact NHL players
William Nylander, No. 8 in 2014, Toronto Marlies (AHL): Nylander had a fairly productive month with two goals and seven points in 12 games. Patience is important with the Leafs top prospect, who is incredibly skilled but still has a lot to learn about the pro game.
Second-tier prospects
Potential NHL players with varying upside who are on schedule or trending up in their development
Connor Brown, No. 156 in 2012, Toronto Marlies (AHL): Brown has been the best story among Leafs prospects this season, and that didn’t change in February. The 2012 sixth-round pick once again led the Marlies in scoring last month with four goals and 12 points in 10 games. The rookie winger currently sits 11th in AHL scoring.
Brendan Leipsic, No. 89 in 2012, Toronto Marlies (AHL): Acquired from the Predators in the Cody Franson trade, Leipsic is off to a good start in Toronto. The pesky winger has had a point in all but one game since joining the Marlies and finished the month with five goals and eight points in 12 games.
Carter Verhaeghe, No. 82 in 2013, Niagara IceDogs (OHL): Verhaeghe was red-hot in January, and he had an equally impressive February. The IceDogs captain finished the month with nine goals and 11 assists in 11 games, including an impressive three-point night capped by a game-winner in Niagara’s come-from-behind win over North Bay last Sunday.
Frederik Gauthier, No. 21 in 2013, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL): It could be argued that given his static production throughout his junior career that Gauthier is closer to bust than sure-thing, but given his size, position, defensive proficiency and strong cycle game, he still brings something to the table when not scoring. And he didn’t do much of that in February, with only one goal and four points in eight games. He missed the final two games of the month with a head injury.
Rinat Valiev, No. 69 in 2014, Kootenay Ice (WHL): Valiev built on his strong season with a productive February in which he had 11 points in 11 games. He ranks 14th in defencemen scoring with 43 points despite only playing in 44 games this season.
Stuart Percy, No. 25 in 2011, Toronto Marlies (AHL): It’s been a tough year for Percy. The slick defenceman has struggled to stay healthy and when he has been in the lineup, he hasn’t produced. He went pointless in six games in February. There’s still a lot to like about his game, as he demonstrated in his early-season audition with the Leafs.
Josh Leivo, No. 86 in 2011, Toronto Marlies (AHL): Another player who has had injury trouble this season, Leivo was finally healthy in February, and so was his production. The 21-year-old winger had four goals and eight points in 11 games last month.
Viktor Loov, No. 209 in 2012, Toronto Marlies (AHL): Loov has been the Marlies’ best all-around defenceman this season and has gotten better throughout the year. He had nine points in February and went out on a high note with a big three-point game on Saturday.
Sam Carrick, No. 144 in 2010, Toronto Marlies (AHL): Carrick finished with three goals and six points in nine games last month while continuing to play a hard, dependable game.
Greg McKegg, No. 62 in 2010, Toronto Marlies (AHL): Sits third on the team in scoring and had one of his better months in February with five goals and eight points in 11 games.
Andreas Johnson, No. 202 in 2013, Frolunda (SHL): Scored four goals in his last two games — his only goals of the month — to reach 20 on the season. He continues to be a shot-producing machine (fourth in the SHL), although his per game average dropped from 2.93 to 2.50 in February.
Petter Granberg, No. 116 in 2011, Toronto Marlies (AHL): Looked overwhelmed in his first taste of NHL action last month. Still only 22 and plays with an edge, but his upside is limited.
Antoine Bibeau, No. 172 in 2013, Toronto Marlies (AHL): The hulking netminder had a rough month with a 3.36 GAA and .898 save percentage in five games. Still has decent numbers on the season and remains the top goalie prospect in the system.
On the fringe
Players who could be future NHLers, but far from a sure thing at this point
Ryan Rupert, No. 157 in 2012, Toronto Marlies (AHL): Rupert has been a pleasant surprise this season after starting the year in the ECHL. Has found chemistry playing with Nylander and Brown, but hasn’t been a passenger offensively. Finished with five goals and eight points in 12 games last month.
Dominic Toninato, No. 126 in 2012, Minnesota-Duluth (NCHC): Continues to lead his team in goals (14) despite only playing in two games last month due to injury.
Tony Camarenesi, No. 130 in 2011, Minnesota-Duluth (NCHC): Moved ahead of Toninato for second in team scoring (25 points) with two goals and six points in eight games last month.
Nolan Vesey, No. 158 in 2014, Maine (H-East): Vesey is enjoying a solid freshman year with the Bears. Among his team leaders in scoring with 21 points in 31 games, including six in nine February games. Recently earned rookie of the week honours after scoring a hat trick against Northeastern last Saturday.
Tom Nilsson, No. 100 in 2011, Toronto Marlies (AHL): Hasn’t played since Jan. 10 due to injury.
Matt Finn, No. 35 in 2012, Toronto Marlies (AHL): Only played four games in February (no points). Has struggled to adjust to the pro game in his rookie year, but there’s no rush on his development.
Eric Knodel, No. 128 in 2009, Toronto Marlies (AHL): The hulking blueliner has earned a bigger role with the Marlies as the season has progressed. Finished with three assists in eight games last month.
Andrew MacWilliam, No. 188 in 2008, Toronto Marlies (AHL): A rock on defence for the Marlies, MacWilliam leads the team with a plus-23 rating, a number bolstered by a ridiculous plus-6 game against Charlotte last Sunday. Yes it’s an antiquated stat, but it’s still impressive nonetheless.
Cody Donaghey, undrafted, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL): The right-handed defenceman has 15 points in 27 games, but hasn’t played since December after taking a knee-on-knee hit.
Dakota Joshua, No. 128 in 2014, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL): Ohio State commit has 31 points (13 goals) in 38 games on the year, including two goals and four points in six games last month.
Garret Sparks, No. 190 in 2011, Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL): Sparks is clearly too good for the ECHL, and he proved that again last month. In nine games, Sparks had a ridiculous 2.11 GAA and .940 save percentage along with two shutouts.
Christopher Gibson, No. 49 in 2011 (LAK), Toronto Marlies (AHL): He was the top netminder with the Marlies in February, finishing the month with a 2.30 GAA and .930 save percentage. He’s only 22 and boasts a .920 save percentage on the season.
Afterthoughts
Players who have fallen off or haven’t shown enough to get a good read
Tyler Biggs, No. 22 in 2011, Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Brad Ross, No. 43 in 2010, Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Jamie Devane, No. 68 in 2009, Toronto Marlies (AHL)
J.J. Piccinich, No. 103 in 2014, Boston University (H-East)
Pierre Engvall, No. 188 in 2014, Frolunda J20/Oskarshamn IK
Fabrice Herzog, No. 142 in 2013, Zug (Swiss-A)
Max Everson, No. 203 in 2011, Harvard (ECAC)