This weekend, the Toronto Maple Leafs top prospects will play two games against the Montreal Canadiens and their prospects at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
In total, 26 players have been invited by the Leafs, including our number one ranked prospect Easton Cowan, newly drafted (but maybe hurt) Ben Danford, and our number two prospect Fraser Minten.
Toronto’s prospect pool hasn’t been this exciting in a long time, probably not since before the Matthews era, so watching some future NHLers will be super fun to begin the 2024–25 season.
There are a few players who have outside shots of making the roster, like dynamic forward Nikita Grebenkin or AHL defenceman Topi Niemela, who came in at number five on our list.
And the Maple Leafs seem to be making some fun roster decisions, stacking the first line with Cowan, Minten, and Grebenkin. The goaltending should be fascinating, too, as Artur Akhtyamov (our number seven prospect) and Dennis Hildeby (number six) will start their season-long battle that will continue with the Marlies.
All in all, this is probably the most exciting prospect showcase the Leafs have had in a while, so let’s take a look at the full roster.
Forwards
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Roni Hirvonen | Toronto Marlies (AHL) |
| Fraser Minten | Saskatoon Blades (WHL) |
| Maxim Muranov | Calgary Hitmen (WHL) |
| Robert Mastrosimone | Toronto Marlies (AHL) |
| Ty Voit | Toronto Marlies (AHL) |
| Easton Cowan | London Knights (OHL) |
| Jacob Quillan | Quinnipiac (NCAA) |
| Braeden Kressler | Ottawa 67s (OHL) |
| Marshall Finnie | Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) |
| Matthew Barbolini | Miami Ohio (NCAA) |
| Nikita Grebenkin | Magnitogorsk Metallurg (KHL) |
| Sam McCue | Owen Sound Attack (OHL) |
| Sam Stevens | Boston University (NCAA) |
| Brandon Lisowsky | Saskatoon Blades (WHL) |
| Miroslav Holinka | HC Ocelari Trinec (Czechia) |
Defencemen
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Ben Danford | Oshawa Generals (OHL) |
| Topi Niemela | Toronto Marlies (AHL) |
| Cade Webber | Boston University (NCAA) |
| Noah Chadwick | Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL) |
| Ryan McCleary | Swift Current Broncos (WHL) |
| Nathan Mayes | Spokane Chiefs (WHL) |
| Rhett Parsons | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) |
| Chas Sharpe | Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) |
Goalies
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Dennis Hildeby | Toronto Marlies (AHL) |
| Vyacheslav Peksa | Newfoundland Growlers (ECHL) |
| Artur Akhtyamov | Ak Bars Kazan (KHL) |
The start of the season
The prospect showdown signals the start of a new season, an exciting time for Leafs fans. Whether or not any of these guys make the opening night roster, hopefully many will make an impact with the Maple Leafs in the near future, maybe even helping the team find some postseason success (please).
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