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In Niagara Falls, ON last July, prospects of the Toronto Maple Leafs took to the ice. The club coming off a last place finish offered youngsters like top picks Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner a potential path to the big leagues and training camp invites like Trevor Moore the opportunity to earn an entry-level contract with a noticeable performance in the Blue and White scrimmages.
12 months later, Matthews is a Calder Trophy winner, Marner posted impressive numbers in his rookie season, the Leafs are making moves consistent with being a contender and the organization is so flush with young talent that the odds are slim that any of the 57 players who took to the ice at the MasterCard Centre in Etobicoke, ON will play a game in the NHL this season.
1 yr ago today, the highlight of #Leafs development camp in the Falls. Matthews (@AM34) vs Marner (@Marner93) in a battle for the puck. pic.twitter.com/0yH8c0jbTW
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) July 7, 2017
The squad was split into two groups; Team Sittler made up of 33 free agent invitees was split into two groups, and Team Clark composed mostly of Leafs draft picks and players signed to AHL contracts.
“(The different setup) gives us an opportunity to evaluate some of these players.… Director of Player Development Scott Pellerin said. “Free agent players that have come here in the past maybe haven’t had the opportunity to really show what they can do. This will give them a much better opportunity.…
2017 first round pick Timothy Liljegren wore #48 in his first time on the ice as a Leaf and was minus the long locks he fashioned at the NHL Draft.
#Leafs 1st rounder Timothy Liljegrin going through drills with skating coach Barb Underhill. pic.twitter.com/mMXFpCOm8k
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) July 7, 2017
“I’ve got more followers on Twitter, but other than that I really don’t think about (how my life has changed since being drafted) that much.… Liljegren said. “I cut my hair Tuesday this week, it’s a nice new haircut and feels good.…
The 18-year-old Swede showed his skating ability during drills with Leafs skating consultant Barb Underhill and hopes after one year to make a serious bid for the NHL. The 17th overall pick battled mononucleosis and played with four teams at various levels of the Swedish League, but is hoping for some stability this upcoming season.
“I think that every player wants to be on one team to develop,… Liljegren said. “(but) last year was good for me to go through that too.…
The fact that the Leafs are loaded with promising prospects after years of the organization being thin on talent is a positive, but with 48 players signed to professional contracts (and RFA Connor Brown soon making that 49), it does not allow Toronto management much flexibility.
It has already cost them one prospect in 2012 draft pick Dominic Toninato and it would limit the Leafs to offering an AHL contract to any young free agent that intrigues them over the next five days.
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