The Toronto Maple Leafs organization has drafted and developed a number of youngsters currently playing in the NHL, but with players like Connor Brown, Zach Hyman, William Nylander, Kasperi Kapanen and Travis Dermott now on their roster, the next step for the club is to keep replenishing the prospect pool to provide the Leafs with youngsters who can take step and replace veterans who retire, depart via free agency or are traded.
With some input from Sportsology’s Russ Cohen and Gus Katsaros of McKeen’s Hockey, we are ranking the club’s top 25 prospects over the next few weeks based on their progress in either the NCAA, CHL, Europe or the American Hockey League and their potential to make the Leafs roster and make a contribution in the future.
Players such as Dermott, Kapanen, Frederik Gauthier, Andreas Borgman, Calle Rosen, Josh Leivo, Garret Sparks and Justin Holl are not eligible because they have played more than 30 NHL games or are over the age of 23.
We continue the list today with the 13th and 12th of Toronto’s Top 25 Prospects with a pair of recent draft picks; another of the Leafs young blueliners and a small and skilled center who began to show his offensive talent late in the season with the Toronto Marlies and during the Calder Cup Playoffs.
#25 – JD Greenway (Defense, Dubuque Fighting Saints – USHL)
#24 – Ian Scott (Goaltender, Prince Albert Raiders – WHL)
#23 - Martins Dzierkals (Winger, Orlando/ Toronto – ECHL/AHL)
#22 - Andrew Nielsen (Defense, Toronto Marlies – AHL)
#21 – Riley Stotts (Center, Swift Current/Calgary Hitmen - WHL)
#20 – Filip Kral (Defense, Spokane Chiefs – WHL)
#19 – Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (Center, Peterborough Petes - OHL)
#18 – Mac Hollowell (Defense, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – OHL)
#17 – Sean Durzi (Defense, Owen Sound Attack - OHL)
#16 – Jesper Lindgren (Defense, HRK/Toronto Marlies – SM-Liiga/AHL)
#15 – Fedor Gordeev (Defense, Flint Firebirds - OHL)
#14 – Mason Marchment (Winger, Toronto Marlies – AHL)
After selecting Timothy Liljegren in the first round at the 2017 NHL Draft in Chicago, the Leafs went for another right-handed blueliner at #59 overall, selecting Rasanen from the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs.
The 6’7”, 226 lb. defenseman is imposing physically (he likens his style to that of Buffalo’s Rasmus Ristolainen), punishes opponents and plays with an edge. Rasanen uses his size to his advantage along the boards and is known for being an effective passer.
After a good first season in the OHL, the 19-year-old took a slight step back in his second year with the Frontenacs (scoring only 33 points in 61 games) and was a late cut from Team Finland’s World Junior squad last December.
Rasanen’s skating is the area of his game that needs the most improvement and he indicated at the Leafs Development Camp earlier this summer that was one factor in his decision to not return to Kingston and sign with Jokerit of the KHL for two years to play against professionals and be a more complete defenseman who can challenge for a job when he returns to North America.
#12 – Adam Brooks (Center, Toronto Marlies – AHL)
Brooks was a late bloomer that went undrafted twice before breaking out with a 120-point season with the WHL’s Regina Pats and getting selected 92nd overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. The Winnipeg, MB native put up 130 points as an overager and signed an entry-level contract with the Leafs, but struggled to find his place early in the season with the Toronto Marlies.
Playing mostly in a bottom six role, Brooks had only seven points in his first 44 AHL games, but late in the season with Marlies top scorers Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson called up to the Leafs, the 22-year-old saw more offensive situations and time on the power play.
In the final 13 games of the regular season, Brooks had 12 points (5 goals and 7 assists) and was a mainstay on the Marlies fourth line with Trevor Moore and Mason Marchment during the club’s Calder Cup run.
With the departure of Miro Aaltonen to the KHL, Ben Smith to the German League and one of Par Lindholm, Frederik Gauthier or Josh Jooris getting the Leafs fourth line center job, Brooks should see his role increase with the Marlies.
Being a well rounded player is sometimes considered a negative because that means that he is good at most aspects of his game, but not a particular standout in one. Brooks is not big or speedy, but is good in his own end and has offensive chops.
If he builds on his late season and playoff success with another good year in the AHL, Brooks could be vying for a spot on the fourth line with the Leafs in 2019.
*******
Here is the latest edition of "The Leafs Convo", please watch and subscribe to our YouTube page.and/or listen on iTunes and keep the podcast going by contributing through Patreon.com.
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»