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The Toronto Maple Leafs organization has drafted and developed a number of youngsters currently playing in the NHL (Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Pierre Engvall, and Justin Holl), but the club under GM Kyle Dubas has to keep replenishing the prospect pool to provide the Leafs with youngsters who can step up and replace veterans who retire, depart via free agency or are traded.
As we did last year, we will rank the club’s top prospects over the upcoming weeks based on their progress in either the NCAA, CHL, Europe, ECHL or AHL and their potential to make the Leafs roster and make a contribution in the future.
Players are eligible for the list if they have not played more than 40 NHL games:
#40 - Vladislav Kara – LW (Yugra - VHL)
#39 – Kalle Loponen – D (Koo Koo Kouvola/JyP HT – Finland SM-Liiga)
#38 - Jeremy McKenna – RW (Wichita – ECHL, Toronto – AHL)
#37 - John Fusco – D (Harvard – NCAA)
#36 Noel Hoefenmayer – D (Newfoundland – ECHL, Toronto – AHL)
#35 Ryan Chyzowski - LW (Newfoundland - ECHL, Toronto - AHL)
#34 Braeden Kressler - C (Flint - OHL)
#33 Nikita Grebyonkin - RW (Stalnye Lisy - MHL, Magnitogorsk - KHL)
#32 - Vyacheslav Peksa - G (Ibris Kazan - MHL)
#31 Dryden McKay - G (Minnesota Duluth - NCAA)
#30 Bobby McMann - C (Newfoundland - ECHL, Toronto - AHL)
The Maple Leafs under Kyle Dubas has been more proactive at giving developmental projects time and opportunity. Toronto has added undrafted free agents from Europe, US colleges, and the CHL, which has resulted in bringing in players like Ilya Mikheyev, Trevor Moore, and Mason Marchment. They have also benefited from giving unsigned draft picks from other organizations a second chance, like former Chicago second-round pick Justin Holl.
Bobby McMann followed a similar path to Holl, playing four years in the NCAA and a stint in the ECHL before establishing himself in the American Hockey League and earning an NHL contract last April.
The 26-year-old center played three years in the AJHL before attending Colgate University. After four years in the ECAC, McMann played with Wichita while the AHL was shut down by the pandemic, and in his first season with the Marlies, scored 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) in 21 games. Last season, the Wainwright, AB native broke out with 24 goals in 61 games and earned a two-year contract.
“A big-bodied all-around forward that has good offensive instincts and excellent positional awareness during unfolding plays.” Elite Prospects said. (McMann) plays a power game, drives the net hard, (and is a) fluid skater that has room to improve near the top of his acceleration to become more explosive. His maturity, character, and willingness to do what it takes to win are embodied by his humility in taking the time to improve upon and learn all aspects of multiple roles. Explosive shot release and proficient puck handling ability. Huge potential as an effective two-way forward with skill.”
With the retirement of Jason Spezza and the departure of Colin Blackwell, the Leafs may have a battle for the fourth-line center position depending on where free agent Calle Jarnkrok slots in. If Jarnkrok plays the wing, McMann, Adam Gaudette, and Nick Abruzzese could battle for a roster spot.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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