For the second day in a row, the Leafs squared off against the Montreal Canadiens in Prospect Showdown action. While the Leafs were victorious both days, Game 2 was controlled by the Habs and their superior lineup. With a number of highly touted rookies to be playing for Montreal, David Reinbacher shone amongst a group of Habs prospects that included Lane Hutson, Owen Beck, Sean Farrell, and Logan Mailloux.
The game had some emotion to it, as there were moments of physicality including scrums and fights. Especially within the depth of the Leafs lineup a physical element was noticeable, kindling to the spirited fire that permeated the game. Let’s take a look at some of the standouts and takeaways from a Leafs perspective.
Top line
Once again the trio of Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten, and Roni Hirvonen stood out for the Leafs. Not only was the line responsible for most of the Leafs scoring, but they were the only trio that controlled play with any regularity. Cowan is clearly the puck carrier of the line, transitioning up ice and into the attacking zone. Minten showed off some talent as an in-zone attacker. The true standout was Hirvonen, the least heralded of the three. His style as a bulldog was evident, winning puck battles along the boards, making smart support passes, and going to the net for his offence.
It is possible that we see more of this lineup together. Leafs training camp will be their next opportunity, though we should expect them to get different looks with the main group as well. There is a chance they operate as the Toronto Marlies top line if Cowan is given an AHL conditioning stint. Most ambitious might be the thought of the trio as a Leafs line, if only beyond the 2024–25 season. At the very least they complement each other nicely, bringing a blend of skills, competitiveness, and responsibility.
Top pair
The Leafs most effective defence pairing was clearly Topi Niemela and Cade Webber. This much was expected, but the duo did some good things together. Webber brought an all around defensive game, using his stick and body to halt the Habs attack. He did some good work in the corners creating turnovers, often able to make support passes afterward.
Niemela was a willing defender, using some physicality and playing on the penalty kill. He created a lot of offence by getting quick wrist shots through traffic from the point. Smart and functional offence is key to Niemela’s hopes of making the NHL, but becoming a reliable penalty kill option is likely a mandatory condition of him doing so with the Leafs.
Forward depth
Often hemmed in their own zone, it was difficult for some of the Leafs skill players to assert themselves. Among a group including Miroslav Holinka and Ty Voit, it was Brandon Lisowsky who was the most noticeable. Lisowsky seemed to get a bit more comfortable as the game progressed.
More impactful were Jacob Quillan and Sam McCue. Quillan is a bit older, coming from the NCAA, and displayed some of his defensive talents. Anytime Quillan pressured opponents with the puck it was noticeable, as was his work on the penalty kill.
McCue did score a goal, but as one of the younger and less heralded players. his performance was impressive. Looking big, strong, and fast, McCue has a forechecking force, won many battles along the boards, and was able to make some support passes off of those won pucks. We should expect a big season in the OHL from McCue, though he will need continued progress to be considered a draft steal.
Worth an equal shoutout was defenceman Noah Chadwick, who used some of his reach and physicality defensively while also showing some functional puck skills. Chadwick is years away from NHL consideration, but there is an interesting foundation to work with.
Treliving’s fingerprints
Another season at the helm of the Leafs program for GM Brad Treliving was evident, as the Leafs depth was forceful and direct. Up front, Matthew Barbolini and Marshall Finnie were aggressive and physical, if nothing else. The same might be said for defencemen Nathan Mayes, Rhett Parsons, and Chas Sharpe. Finnie and Mayes are the youngest, probably the more noteworthy of the group, but it does provide insight into the organizational philosophies.
Goalies
Finally, the game was split between Artur Akhtyamov and Vyacheslav Peksa. Akhtyamov started the game and seemed more comfortable of the two, notably going on some puckhandling adventures outside of his crease. Peksa had the burden of a game that got away from the Leafs late, the Habs pouring on the offence in the third period.
