Even though the Toronto Maple Leafs may not have the best pool of prospects, there is still a lot of potential developing that may one day prove to be game-changers. They’ve been choosing a lot of players with a lot of upside and potential rather than surefire prospects. With some of its big names, the team is now beginning to reap the rewards.
The Maple Leafs still have a number of players that are worth keeping an eye on, from improving their goaltenders to witnessing the work ethic and enthusiasm from their forwards. The top ten prospects for the 2024–2025 campaign are listed here.
10. Toronto Marlies (AHL) C Roni Hirvonen
Roni Hirvonen’s first season in North America was extremely challenging as he dealt with ailments and his father’s loss. He found his way through it all and returned to the ice, scoring 13 points in 37 games.
Although he isn’t the biggest player on the ice, Hirvonen is quite competitive in his engagement and battles along the boards. He is also very enthusiastic. He possesses excellent speed and agility to escape difficult situations. He is also a very good read and breaker of plays. He is also responsible and intelligent when playing defense. Despite facing challenges in the previous season, he still possesses the experience necessary to improve his game and compete with professional players.
9. University of Michigan (NCAA)’s Nicholas Moldenhauer, C/RW
There is still plenty to admire in Nick Moldenhauer, even though his 21 points in 41 games with Michigan may not seem like it. Last season, he played on a very deep Michigan team that was largely dependent on players like Frank Nazar, Gavin Brindley, and Rutger McGroarty. Entering his sophomore year of college, he has a chance to be a major contributor.
8. The Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL), Noah Chadwick, LDThe sixth-round pick of the Maple Leafs in 2023 really took off, surpassing his output from 2022–2023 in terms of goals (12), assists (44), and points (56). The Maple Leafs took a chance on him as a late-round choice, and the 2024 CHL Scholastic Player of the Year clearly demonstrated why. The foundation of Chadwick’s game is his ability to play both sides of the puck with versatility. He plays a positionally astute defensive position, effectively closing gaps and entering pathways to disrupt plays. Despite this, his offensive game advanced significantly thanks to his breakthrough passes and playmaking skills during transitions. He consistently searches the ice for his teammates and skillfully puts pucks in the goal. Wes Clark, the then-director of amateur scouting, claims that he “checks a lot of boxes for us.”
7. Toronto Marlies’ G. Artur Akhtyamov (AHL)
Artur Ahktyamov, who was selected 106th overall in the 2020 draft, is one of several goalies who are beginning to develop into possible homegrown players and provide some stability for the Maple Leafs in the net.Throughout the past two seasons, he has recorded great results in the VHL and KHL, with a save percentage of at least.920. The outcome was that he won the league championship and was awarded VHL goaltender of the year.
Positionally, Akhtyamov is excellent in the net, showing excellent reflexes, vision, and lateral mobility. Despite his average size in the net (6 feet 1 inch), he squares up shooters with ease and is incredibly quick and agile to eat up shooters’ time and space. In order to play in the KHL, he was putting up starter numbers. His progress will now be greatly aided by moving to North America, where he may form a potent combo with Dennis Hildeby of the Toronto Marlies.
6. Toronto Marlies (AHL) G Dennis Hildeby
Having shown a lot of promise in the SHL with Färjestad BK in 2022–2023 Hildeby moved to North America to further his development. He is an additional goalie in the system that provides depth at the position, especially considering his rapid development as a netminder over there. Despite not playing in a game during his call-up from the previous season, he still has a chance to participate in the future.
The Maple Leafs’ 2022 fourth-round selection placed sixth overall in the American Hockey League goaltending rankings with 2.41 goals against average and 15th in save percentage (.913) during his rookie campaign. Although he had some ups and downs with his game the previous season, the Marlies struggled to defend their own zone, which made them a weak club. But his stature (6-foot-7, 223 pounds), calmness, and vision immediately establish him as one of the system’s best goaltender prospects.
5. Oshawa Generals’ Ben Danford, RD (OHL)
A reliable backup who can play both ends of the puck has been absent for the Maple Leafs. They will have that opportunity if they select Ben Danford in the 2024 NHL Draft. His offensive stats aren’t particularly impressive—he only had one goal and 32 assists in the previous campaign—but he really got hot in the postseason, scoring four goals in 21 games.
Danford’s defense is what really sticks out as his offensive game is getting better. Being a fierce competitor in his own end, he plays the body well and cuts into lanes to disrupt plays. He doesn’t cheat on plays, has excellent defensive IQ, and plays well against the rush. Additionally, he is quick and able to
4. Toronto Marlies (AHL) LW/RW Nikita Grebyonkin
Nikita Grebyonkin, who was previously considered one of the most underappreciated names in the Maple Leafs organization, has gained a lot of attention in the recent season. Grebyonkin won the Gagarin Cup in 2022–23 after winning the KHL rookie of the year award in 2022–2023 with 41 points in 67 games with Metallurg Magnitogorsk and extra six points in 22 playoff games.
One of his game’s assets is his willingness to take advantage of his size, speed, and hands. With his power-forward style and ability to maneuver in confined places, he consistently establishes himself. Being a fierce competitor and workhorse, he makes an impact both in front of the net and along the boards. He can move quickly to make plays and outmuscle opponents with ease. He no longer fits the description of an underappreciated prospect in the organization after the previous season.3. Toronto Marlies (AHL) RD Topi Niemelä
up his debut season with the Marlies, the top defensive prospect for the Maple Leafs turned up a strong performance. Similar to Hirvonen, Niemelä looked at home in the AHL and has a ton of professional experience from his time spent playing in Finland’s Liiga. He scored 39 points, which ranked sixth in the team scoring, and 21 primary points, which ranked ninth overall. He even achieved a 58% goal percentage (minimum of 15 games played).
Related: Topi Niemela of the Maple Leafs Is an Untouchable Prospect
Niemelä aspires to be a proficient two-way backer. He can emphasize defense when necessary, but he is quick to burst out and lead a play in transition. When he has control, he plays with great patience and excellent inclinations away from the puck. His intelligence demonstrates his ability to think critically about the game. One thing he hoped to get better at was strength. He might find himself in the NHL sooner rather than later if he can accomplish that and build on a fantastic rookie campaign.
2. Toronto Marlies’ Fraser Minten, C (AHL)
Fraser Minten’s ability to be a powerful forechecker and his good two-way game are just what the squad needs in the middle of the lineup. Minten saw four games with the Maple Leafs during the previous season, giving him a taste of NHL action. Returning to the Western Hockey League, he led Canada to the World Junior Championship and finished with 48 points in 43 games between the Kamloops Blazers and Saskatoon Blades.