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Matthews, Marner and Nylander Ranked As Top 10 Prospects By ESPN

August 30, 2016, 4:09 PM ET [412 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Toronto Maple Leafs were ranked as the most talent-laden organization in the National Hockey League by ESPN in their annual prospect list, but 2016 second overall pick Patrik Laine was ranked first on their Top 120 Prospects list ahead of top pick Auston Matthews.

The Leafs have eight players on the list and three in the top 10; Matthews at #2, 2015 top pick Mitch Marner at #5 and William Nylander at #7.

ESPN’s Corey Pronmen says Laine could be an elite power forward in the NHL in spite of some concerns about his skating and ranks him ahead of Matthews based on concerns about the top pick’s physicality, strength along the wall and defensive abilities.



Marner is ranked behind Edmonton top pick Jesse Puljujarvi and 2015 third overall pick Dylan Strome and is considered a potential top-echelon NHL scorer, while Nylander is listed behind Coyotes 2016 top pick Clayton Keller.

Winger Kasperi Kapanen ranks 58th, dropping from 29th last season due to an inconsistent first full season with the AHL Toronto Marlies and appearing overmatched in a brief stint with the Leafs in March.

2015 second rounder Jeremy Bracco is at #67, dropping from 39th on last year’s list) in spite of having a good season with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL after leaving Boston College last October, while other second rounder Travis Dermott rose from an honorable mention to #90 on the list based on a solid year with the Erie Otters and a good showing with Team Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Junior in Helsinki.

Former OHL scoring champion Connor Brown is #93 (down from 72nd) and 2016 second rounder Carl Grundstrom is #105.

Besides Laine being ranked ahead of Matthews, the most surprising Leafs omission was that of Dmytro Timashov, who had an excellent year in the QMJHL and opened eyes at the WJC.

Other interesting notes are Alex Nylander(brother of William) ranked 11th overall and Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey at #82.

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