The Maple Leafs have had a less-than-ideal start to their 2025–26 season. There is some conversation around within the fanbase on what the future of this team looks like, beyond this current era. While the Leafs gave away prospects such as Nikita Grebenkin and Fraser Minten in pivotal trades, the team still has a decent prospect pool. Let’s take a look at some of the top prospects still within the Leafs system.
Easton Cowan – F
Easton Cowan entered 2025–26 as the Leafs premier prospect. He has already made his way onto the roster as a regular this season and will most likely stay there if he keeps playing as he has.
Coming off a stellar junior career with the London Knights (OHL), Cowan put up 69 points in just 46 games during the 2024–25 regular season. He had an even better playoffs, leading all players with 39 points in 17 games, with 13 goals and 26 assists, and was a key piece in London winning the Memorial Cup. With his junior career now over, Cowan has set his sights on becoming a full-timer on this Leafs roster.
Even if he falls flat and finds himself back in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies, this current roster and its issues, along with his upside, will help him find his way back up. His mix of speed, high-end playmaking, and two-way commitment makes him a serious candidate to not only be a roster regular but a potential replacement for Mitch Marner.
Ben Danford – D
Ben Danford was the 31st overall pick by Toronto in 2024 and is considered the top defensive prospect in the Leafs’ system this year.
In 2024–25, with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals, he recorded 25 points (5 goals, 20 assists) in 61 regular season games. What makes Danford so impressive is not just his offence, but also his size (6′2″, 195 lbs), skating ability, and strong defensive mentality. Another appealing fact about Danford is that Oshawa made him captain last season, showing leadership that the Leafs desperately need.
Scouts praised his calmness and increased decision-making with each passing season. He still has a way to go before he makes the NHL, but Danford has the potential and skill to be a stable second-pairing or top-four defenceman if he can continue to do what he is already doing physically and in his defensive game.
Noah Chadwick – D
A sixth-round pick in 2023, Noah Chadwick has quietly risen up the Leafs’ prospect rankings with a very strong 2024–25 season.
With the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL, he racked up 53 points (13 goals, 40 assists) in 66 games, stellar numbers for a blueliner. Standing 6′4″ and 207 lbs, Chadwick brings a size and presence similar to Danford. His offensive IQ, at least in transition and in moving the puck, makes him an intriguing two-way defenceman for the future of the Leafs.
That being said, he still has some work to improve his skating and defensive-zone positioning, and many view him as more of a longer-term project. If Chadwick can tune his defensive game and pick up to NHL-level speed, he could turn into a useful bottom-pair or shutdown defenceman with occasional offensive moments.
Tyler Hopkins – F
Tyler Hopkins, picked 86th overall by the Leafs in the 2025 NHL Draft, is the youngest player among this list of top five prospects and represents a long-term bet on upside rather than immediate impact. During the 2024–25 season with the Kingston Frontenacs, he recorded 51 points in 67 games, with 20 goals and 31 assists, showing a nice mix of being able to shoot and make plays.
What surprised at the Leafs’ development camp was his hockey sense; an ability to understand plays and contribute responsibly in his own end. Although Hopkins isn’t seen as a high-end scorer at this moment, his two-way ability and the will to play a sound and structured game give him a shot at becoming a dependable middle-six forward one day.
Given his age and development so far, however, a full-time NHL role still figures to be a while away. This season and this year will be key for him to build strength and consistency and continue growing his all-around game.
Artur Akhtyamov – G
Rounding out the top five is a goaltender, Artur Akhtyamov, drafted in the fourth round in 2020. In 2024–25 with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, he saw action in 26 games and had a record of 11–8–4, with a 2.81 goals-against average and .901 save percentage, along with three shutouts.
Though he showed flashes of brilliance (including a strong start to the season), consistency remains a concern. His style leans on athleticism and reflexes rather than standard positional goaltending, meaning that rebound control and composure under pressure will be key areas he can work on.
If Akhtyamov can refine his fundamentals and deliver consistent AHL-level performances, he could emerge as a serviceable backup or perhaps even compete for a more substantial starting role down the line, especially if the team’s injury-prone tandem continues to struggle.
