Last week we reviewed the contributions of each player on the Toronto Maple Leafs squad this past season. We also suggested some options for the team to change its look in the future. The aim of the analysis was to provide readers with an inside view of year-end process teams as they re-evaluate their group before the draft and free agency.
The next major date on the calendar is the annual NHL Pre-Draft Combine, which will be held next week in Buffalo from May 30 to June 4. The best prospects from around the world who have completed their seasons and NHL clubs will attend. they will have the opportunity to learn more about the past achievements of these players, their families, external interests, studies and injury history. It’s a fascinating process to get to know the players on this forum and see how they behave throughout the week. It is certainly a stressful time for each and every one of them.
With that in mind, we’ll be closing our off-season coverage for the Toronto Maple Leafs with a dive into their draft and potential prospects. In recent years, the Leafs have implemented a specific strategy to build their prospect group. Kyle Dubas wants the Leafs to be a record-playing team that plays with skill and speed, and there has been a clear emphasis on this strategy when analyzing their selections:
Maple Leafs 2019 draft picks for HockeyDB. Maple Leafs 2020 draft picks for HockeyDB. Maple Leafs 2021 draft picks for HockeyDB. Maple Leafs Selection Capital, by Cap Friendly.
It’s interesting to note that the Leafs had 18 combined picks in the 2019 and 2020 drafts and then only three picks in 2021. Looking ahead to the 2022 draft in Montreal, the Leafs have just three picks again. They will not have many opportunities, but it will be important for them to succeed in some of these elections.
With possible changes this summer, they may be given a chance at their main prospects in the system, or they could be used in the trade. What should the Leafs work on in terms of prospects? Here are some updated reports on players in your pipeline:
Matthew Knies (FWD)
In my opinion, Knies is his main prospect. It brings a game of power and is a large body that attacks with speed. He was one of the most productive shooters at the University of Minnesota and exerts influence below hash marks, goal line and along the boards. Over time, he has a chance to become the top scorer the Leafs currently have.
Knies has the potential to be a home run selection from the second round of the 2021 draft because it not only produces an offense, but plays a detailed game away from the record and can be used in key defensive zone scenarios.
Forecast: Top 6 Forward
Topi Niemela (D)
A transitional defender who has the ability to be a power play quarterback. He’s not a heavy defender, but he’s smart and knows how to keep opponents at bay and get the records back with a quick stick and good positioning. He is an efficient player who can be trusted in different roles.
Forecast: Lower Pairing Defense
Roni Hirvonen (FWD)
He is small in stature, but he is a tenacious competitor and a leader. His approach to the game is similar to that of Brendan Gallagher in Montreal, but unfortunately not with the same kind of offensive advantage. Hirvonen has the potential to provide energy and kill penalties.
Forecast: Fourth line forward
Ryan Tverberg (FWD)
I really like this selection. Every time a seventh-round pick catches your eye, it’s positive for the listening staff. Tverberg is being used in all university-level situations with UConn and producing crime. I’m not looking for him to be bigger than him. His height and weight have not changed since he was selected in 2020. His average points per game increased from 0.54 in the first year to 0.89 in the second year, so he has an upward trend. .
Forecast: Medium 6 Forward
Joseph Woll (G)
He signed for three more years and is still only 23 years old. In general, goalkeepers take longer to become NHL record caps, so Woll still has a chance to score with the Leafs. He was pushed to the spot of the season this season and won a few games, with a whitewash over the New York Islanders on November 21 being the highlight. Its numbers are not open to the eye at the AHL level, but it has a good size and the presence of folds.
When he gets down to the butterfly he sits high and grabs the net. Its lateral thrust and its ability to find discs in traffic are more average. The biggest concern is his propensity to let a record pass. His time stopping shots along the ice between his legs is an area that also requires attention.
Forecast: security goalkeeper
Alex Steeves (FWD)
Produced at the AHL level in his first full professional season with 23 goals and 46 points in 58 games and even had a cup of coffee with the great team. Steeves scored eight of his PP goals with the Marlies. He is a competitive player who will work for his ice.
Steeves has traditionally played in the center, but the Leafs used him on the sidelines when he was retired. He has the opportunity to open his eyes to the training ground and compete for a job with the big team.
Forecast: 13th Front
Joey Anderson (FWD)
There is a lot to like about your game. He has a quick throw and generally stays above the play and is not trapped out of position. Anderson will also work the tables and go to the fold looking for bounces and prunes. My biggest concern is that their point A to point B game is not very fast. It has a powerful step, but it is deep and lacks a lot of slippage. The result is a player who cannot maintain a high speed for extended periods of time. He is only 23 years old, but other prospects are updating him and are about to surpass him in the organization.
Forecast: 4th line forward
Pontus Holmberg (FWD)
This year he bounced between Vaxjo in the SHL (Sweden), the Swedish Olympic team and the Marlies. His element is offensive, but he is more of a game creator than a shooter. Pontus has a somewhat unusual step. His first three steps out of the door are solid, but he doesn’t have a long push on open ice, so he’s faster than fast. It will be interesting to see how his game translates to North America at the highest level. He scored four points in all six games he played with the Marlies this season.
Forecast: 4th line forward
Filip Kral (D)
I’m not convinced Kral is a full-time NHL prospect, but he has positive qualities. Read the ice well and know when to join the rush as an extra layer. Exit responsibly when you have time and at AHL level produced some secondary attack (3G-18A-21PTS). I am concerned about his height and ability to handle weight in the defensive zone. He competes, but if the players get an advantage over him, he has a hard time recovering from being kicked out of the game. He’s 6 feet 17,171 pounds, so an extra nine pounds of muscle would go a long way. It is a two-way defense by definition.
Forecast: 7th Defender
Nick Robertson (FWD)
The moment could not have been worse because Robertson entered the professional game. He arrived just out of the OHL via Peterborough and was almost immediately destined for potential greatness. Looking back, it’s easy to see that it needed more time to develop.
To this day, he’s still a player I’m on the fence with. He has to play in the top nine forwards and, at worst, see the time in the second unit of the PP because his element is the attack. When he is in his game, he is a competitive player who is more of a dealer than a shooter. My concern is its durability.
He has had nothing but bad luck in terms of injury error. At 5 feet 9, 162 pounds, and with its focus on the game, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, I applaud him for the way he puts himself after the game. I also give him great credit for working his way back this season and adding more jump to his step. But I’ve seen him struggle with an injury during the time I’ve been looking for him. He must have spent a whole year playing with his identity and staying in line.
Prediction: Either he is a midfielder of six who plays in the second unit of the PP, or he is the 13th striker.
Conclusions:
This list of leads won’t get people out of their seats anytime soon, but there are some that could have a significant impact.
• Matthew Knies is an “A” grade talent.
• Topi Niemela looks like he could lead the PP’s second unit down the line.
• Joseph Woll has enough quality in his game that he could end up being a full-time NHL goalkeeper who can give games to the team when the incumbent needs to rest.
• In my opinion, Nick Roberston is still a bit of a wildcard. He is only 20 years old and is a child of character. I hope you can stay healthy. Which brings me to Rodion Amirov (20th overall in 2020). Sometimes life is bigger than play. Crossing Fingers Rodion continues to move forward and not only overcomes and overcomes his diagnosis of brain tumor, but also goes on to live a healthy and strong life. It will become a great story when you work all the way and one day have a chance to put on an NHL jersey.