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With the NCAA, CHL, SHL and KHL entering their playoffs or post-season tournaments, it is a good idea to check on the progress of the numerous Toronto Maple Leafs prospects.
2016 Draft
The big Russian winger was having a good rookie campaign with Lokomotiv but his season was derailed by a broken leg in early December. After over two months out of action, Korshkov played a couple games in the second division MHL before returning at the end of the KHL season and has a goal in eight playoff games.
After a impressive performance in the 2017 World Junior and leading Frolunda in goals(14) this season, Sportsnet’s John Shannon reported that the Leafs are closing in on signing Grundstrom to an entry-level deal, but the 19-year-old over signed a two-year deal with the SHL club last April, so even if he signs with Toronto Grundstrom will be staying in Sweden another year.
Woll split duties with Tyler Parsons for the gold medal winning Team USA at the 2017 World Junior (selected 62nd overall by the Maple Leafs) and went 16-12-3 in his freshman season at Boston College. The 18-year-old registered a 22-save shutout as the Eagles defeated Vermont 7-0 in the semi-finals of the Hockey East Tournament.
Greenway is a product of the US National Development Program and after starting with four points in four games as a freshman at the University of Wisconsin, the 18-year-old defenseman scored two points in 28 games.
Brooks is on the verge of surpassing his career-high 120 points from last season and is second in WHL scoring with 117 points (39 goals, 78 assists) for the powerhouse Regina Pats. The 20-year-old team captain scored a goal and assist in a 5-0 victory over Moose Jaw on Saturday.
Symbolic of the Leafs emphasis on size in the 2016 Draft, the 6’5”, 235 lb Middleton managed just seven points in 66 games with Saginaw last season and has more than doubled those totals with four goals and 14 assists in 61 games with the Spirit this season.
Bobylev signed with Moscow Spartak over the summer, but received only limited ice time with the KHL club and had only two points (1 goal, 1 assist) in 20 games. The 19-year-old winger has been nearly a point-per-game performer (33 points in 35 games) since returning to the WHL’s Victoria Royals.
Walker is second on the Royals with 69 points (29 goals, 40 assists) in 67 games. A converted defenseman, Walker uses his superior skating ability to his advantage and may be destined to step in with the Marlies next season.
A big defenseman with a large wingspan, Mattinen played only 39 games for the Memorial Cup winning London Knights last season, but has been given more ice time in his second OHL season.
Selected 182nd overall, the 6’3”, 209 lb winger earned a promotion after scoring 10 goals in 12 games HC MVD Balashikha and was called up to play for Moscow Dynamo. The 19-year-old scored a goal in eight games with the KHL club and played in a game in their first round playoff victory over Torpedo.
Part II of Prospect Update on Monday
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Kerby Rychel could be making the choices for the Leafs expansion protected list more difficult. The Marlies winger scored twice and added an assist in a 5-4 Toronto victory over Manitoba on Sunday and Rychel now leads the AHL club with 43 points.
The 22-year-old winger, acquired in a draft day deal last June for Scott Harrington, has to be protected this June to not be snagged by Las Vegas in the expansion draft. If Toronto protects veterans Leo Komarov and Matt Martin, they would be able to protect only one of young forwards Rychel, Josh Leivo and Brendan Leipsic.
Leipsic, who missed the last seven weeks due to concussion issues, returned to the Marlies lineup in his hometown of Winnipeg on Sunday and registered two shots on goal.
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