An indication that the Toronto Maple Leafs are going in the right direction with their rebuild so far was the evaluation of ESPN’s Draft and Prospects analyst Corey Pronman that the Blue and White have risen from 17th to second in the NHL in prospect quality and depth.
Pronman released a companion piece listing the league’s top 100 prospects on Thursday and eight players in the Leafs organization are listed, including 2014 and 2015 first rounders Mitch Marner and William Nylander in the top 10.
Marner(selected 4th overall in the ‘15 NHL Draft) is ranked 4th behind only ’15 top picks Connor McDavid(EDM), Jack Eichel(BUF) and ‘14 2nd overall pick Sam Reinhart(BUF). Nylander(selected 8th overall in 2014) is 6th after ’14 4th overall pick Sam Bennett(CAL) and ahead of ’15 3rd overall pick Dylan Strome(ARZ).
“I think Toronto is still trending towards the bottom.… Pronman said on WGR Radio in Buffalo on Tuesday. “They’re not going to be a very good team this year, they’re likely going to get another top pick. You get one more of those and then you start looking at an organization (that in) one-to-two years that start trying to win again.…
19-year-old winger Kasperi Kapanen and 22-year-old defenseman Scott Harrington, prospects acquired in the July 1st deal with Pittsburgh for Phil Kessel) are ranked 29th and 84th, while ’15 second round pick Jeremy Bracco is listed 39th.
Swedish winger Andreas Johnson(’13 7th round pick) is ranked 77th, Marlies rookies Connor Brown and Brendan Leipsic(acquired in the deal with Nashville for Cody Franson) are 72nd and 97th overall and ’15 second rounder Travis Dermott earned an honorable mention.
The summary of Kapanen indicates that has high-end speed and skill that can wow you with his playmaking and rushes, but that the son of former NHLer Sami Kapanen has to build on his 6’0… 181 lb frame and make advances on the defensive end of the ice to be an effective pro, while Harrington has the capability of becoming a shutdown defenseman, with good decision making, competiveness and skating ability.
Bracco is considered to have the combination of skill and hockey IQ that can overcome his diminutive stature, as well as being an effective defensive player and penalty killer.
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GM Lou Lamoriello thus far has not put his personal stamp on the Maple Leafs organization since joining the club last month, but that may change if former Stanley Cup winning head coach Jacques Lemaire does not remain a part of the New Jersey Devils organization.
According to Devils beat reporter Tom Gulitti the 70-year-old Lemaire, who led New Jersey to their first Cup victory in 1995, has spoken about potential jobs with other NHL clubs since Lamoriello’s departure and does not know if new Devils GM Ray Shero wants to retain his services.
“I don't know what's going on, yet,… Lemaire said on Thursday. “I haven't had the chance to talk to the new people. I'm waiting for a call.…
Lemaire’s role was primarily as an advisor and a trusted confidant after working for the former Devils boss on three separate occasions as head coach and is expected to make a decision about his future before training camps open in September.
The former Montreal Canadiens great who had successful stints in Minnesota and New Jersey with teams focused on defensive responsibilities, was not surprised that Lamoriello took on a new challenge in Toronto.
“You know Lou, he's a hockey man.… Lemaire said. “I don't know really what his job was (as team president) with the Devils. He's the guy that loves to talk about the game. If he wasn't involved in hockey, I'm not surprised at all (he left the Devils). To me, that's probably the reason he left.…
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