Note: We are just thirty days away until the first game of the season for the Maple Leafs!

I’ve been a Maple Leafs fan too long to count my chickens before they are hatched, but when it comes to the potential in these three specific A-grade prospects, it’s a whole other story.

Matthews hasn’t even played an NHL game yet, but looks to be quite comfortable thus far in the two games he’s played for team North America in the World Cup. The number one overall pick seems like a natural on the ice, mixing it up both offensively and defensively, playing up to the 200 foot game that means so much in the National Hockey League these days. Babcock will be ecstatic to see his future number one center play such a smart and skilled game, it’s without a doubt Matthews will be welcomed by Babcock and his coaching style with open arms.

Even if Matthews were to start as the third line center for the Leafs, you can bet it wouldn’t take long for his ice time to increase. Whether it’s Babcock adjusting the overall use of his top three lines, or simply promoting Matthews (and possibly his entire line) up to the so called second line. You can bet there will be some shuffling of the lines until Babs and his coaching staff see some chemistry brewing. There is a decent amount of new players injected into the Leafs lineup, and some of them are rookies, and other is veterans. Of course the pre-season will dictate the final outcome of who’s going to be in the lineup come first game of the season.

That’s where the Markham magician comes into play, Mitch Marner.

Personally, I think he’s too good not to be on the Maple Leafs. Toss him right into the mix, first line, second line, third line; whatever Babcock seems fitting. He’s the one making eight million a year after all, so you can bet he’ll make the right decision for Mitch. Whether or not Marner is eased into a role, or tossed right into the spotlight, Marner will show that his undeniable skill level and swiftness with the puck is something needed on the Leafs roster.

It’s a shame and a joke that the NHL and the AHL haven’t come up with some plan of action where a player like Marner who is too young to start the season in the AHL, can only play in the NHL or be sent back to finish his year with the London Knights in the OHL.

Get with the times here; it should be all about player development and progressing forward in the overall picture. The AHL isn’t exactly a league full of hard hitting goons and fighter’s looking to end the career of a highly talented 18 year old. It’s changed for the best, a lot of higher end skill players looking to progress their careers, and veteran/borderline players from the NHL who couldn’t quite hold onto their NHL jobs.

Marner is an elite talent. Shanahan and the boys did a great job in the offseason of adding quality pieces that will bode well for the young Maple Leafs. With skill you need size, and with size you need speed, Toronto has a lot of skilled/speedy players in Marner, Nylander, Matthews, JVR and Kadri. So adding some grit to go get the puck and win some battles was the right idea from management.

Both Martin and Polak were added to the Leafs roster over the summer, and each player brings a feisty game. Martin if he can stay healthy will surely have no issues leading the NHL in hits, and Polak on the defensive end will surely not make things easy for opponents as he can be quite nasty at times. Don’t forget about the addition of Kerby Rychel either, this kid is not only tough, but he has some offensive upside as well.

The addition of these types of players let’s guys like Marner and Nylander more room to skate, knowing they will have a teammate help them out if in a position of need. With Komarov, Martin and Rychel in the system, there should always be a tough guy or two in the roster and the difference is; these guys can play hockey.

Nylander is who I predict will turn the most heads by seasons end. He may not get as many points as Matthews, but I feel his goal total will be higher as he may start the season with more power play opportunities and quite possibly more ice time per game. Don’t be surprised to see Babcock breakup the Kadri/Komarov combination and increase his skill on the first line having both JVR and Nylander on the wing with Kadri.

There are a number of possible line combinations, but with possibly Marner, Nylander and Matthews all in the Leafs lineup this 2016/17 season, I wouldn’t be surprised one bit to see a Maple Leafs player win the Calder Memorial Trophy as the most proficient player in their first year of the NHL.

When, if ever, have there ever been three potential players from the Leafs who could win this trophy?

What are your thoughts?

Will Marner make the Leafs?

If so, who do you think will have the best shot of winning the Calder Trophy this season?

Thanks for reading.

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