The Leafs' rookie tournament, held at Budweiser Gardens in London, is one of the events I look forward to the most after a long summer filled with non-stories and the dreaded "dog days". I am a veteran of the experience, having attended every year since they settled on London as the permanent city to hold it in (Pro tip #1: Ale House has 1/2 price apps and 5.50 pints - you're welcome).
This year's tournament - taking place September 11-13 - is perhaps the most talent-rich collection of prospects the Leafs have ever had. With an apparent focus on drafting and developing well over the last couple of years, the Leafs have been able to amass quite a few young players with high ceilings. In light of that, here are the five players I am most looking forward to:
5. Travis Dermott - The 2015 2nd round pick was the first of the draft class to get signed to an ELC. A slick-skating defenseman who claims to model his game after current Leafs blueliner Morgan Rielly, Dermott will be one to keep an eye out for. Erie used him in all situations, so I would expect Sheldon Keefe to do much of the same. Expect to see Dermott quarterbacking the power play as well as killing penalties. He'll have a couple of games to show why the Leafs brass is so high on him, and I expect him to make the most of it.
4. Frederik Gauthier - This is likely the last year we will get a chance to see "the Goat" at the Rookie Tournament. A veteran of two former appearances, last year Gord Dineen played him on the a line with Josh Leivo and William Nylander. In spite of being flanked by two solid talents, Gauthier's performances were mostly forgettable. This year, I expect him to really try to make a statement that he's more than just David Steckel 2.0, and I think he has what it takes to surprise the naysayers.
3. Kasperi Kapanen - It's unfortunate that the 2014 1st rounder will forever and always be viewed through the lens of how he was acquired. Already murmurs of his inferiority to Phil Kessel are cropping up and, in my opinion, they are unwarranted. I feel he should be given a chance to succeed or fail on his own merit, and nothing else. Kapanen was not subject to the CHL transfer rules last year, and was therefore able to come over and get a few games in for Wilkes-Barre for the Penguins affiliate. While he didn't light the AHL on fire, anyone who watches this kid can see that he has all the potential to play top 6 in the NHL. As for his role in the Rookie Tournament, I expect him to likely play wingman for the next entry in this list, and I think we are all going to be in for a treat as we see the two European dynamos on full display.
2. William Nylander - In his sophomore appearance at this particular event, I expect Nylander to be one of the shining stars of the tournament. Last year, coming in a few short months after the draft, not yet acquainted with the North American ice, Nylander didn't wow me. The skill was clearly there. The speedy Swede oozes talent, and you could see he was right on the precipice of breaking out. He further cemented this during the NHL season when he made the transfer from MODO of the Swedish Hockey League to the Toronto Marlies and put up a ridiculous Points-Per-Game number for an 18 year old in his first North American professional hockey season. I expect him to play 1st line center in whatever games they ice him in, and would not be at all surprised to see him flanked by the aforementioned Kapanen, as Sheldon Keefe tries to get a taste of what he has available to him this October. I personally feel Nylander will be the standout player of the tournament, with perhaps only one other player vying for that honor. This brings me to my next entry...
1. Mitch Marner - The highest Leafs draft pick since Scott Thornton in 1989 (3rd overall), Mitch Marner may just be the best player in the Rookie Tournament this year. A phenomenal talent with a limitless ceiling, most of us who don't get to enjoy the OHL don't even realize what we have here. Well, we will. I expect Marner to play 1st line Center as well - the way the tournament works, I would be shocked to see him and Nylander in the same squad. In fact, I'll make my "not-so-bold" prediction and say that Marner will be 1st line center Saturday night at 7pm for the game against the Montreal Canadiens rookie squad. It has all the elements of being a big-ticket event. We have the classic original 6 rivalry, the euphoria of our highest draft pick in decades playing in a full barn, and - above all else - the fact that Marner is a local hero already, as one of the top talents on the host city's London Knights. I expect fireworks Saturday night, and can't wait to watch this game.
Honorable mentions: Zach Hyman, Rinat Valiev, and Carter Verhaege
Who are you most excited to see? Let me know in the comments!
Oh, and Pro tip #2: Crabby Joe's is the place to be after the Saturday night game. That is, if you like beer, edamame, and meeting a bunch of hockey folk.
Thanks for reading!