Youth Movement In Full Force For Maple Leafs

By Alex Hobson

If you watched the Maple Leafs face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, chances are you weren't disappointed. In the midst of a very slow deadline day, the Leafs made a big roster move, calling up prospects William Nylander, Kasperi Kapanen, Nikita Soshnikov, and Zach Hyman. Those players, alongside of new acquisitions Brooks Laich, Connor Carrick, and Ben Smith would all be making their Leaf, some NHL debuts.

Despite losing 2-1 to the Lightning, it's safe to say that nobody was disappointed with the performance of the Maple Leafs. The rookies ran the show, and head coach Mike Babcock showcased his trust in the youngsters by playing them more than any other forwards and having them back on the ice for the final minute of the game. Let's take a look at each prospect and the effort they made in this game.

WILLIAM NYLANDER 

   

Nylander was undoubtedly the most hyped up prospect entering the game. The 8th overall pick in 2014 was recording incredible numbers in the AHL for the Marlies, as he currently has a total of 45 points in 37 games. He was leading the AHL in scoring for a while but due to his injury that took place at the World Juniors, he was forced to sit for a while. He's still producing at an outstanding pace and many believed he was ready to play in the NHL this year, but was kept out because the Leafs wanted to let him play a full season in the AHL and hopefully win the Calder Cup. Nylander, centering the second line alongside of Michael Grabner and Zach Hyman, did not look out of place in his first game. Though he failed to record a point, he controlled the puck carefully and created many chances. It's safe to say he's a lock to make the team next season.

KASPERI KAPANEN

 
 

The main piece in the Phil Kessel trade heading back to the Maple Leafs, Kapanen was called the night before by assistant GM Kyle Dubas to let him know that he was going to make his debut, and Kapanen described it as an amazing feeling, and said it was probably the best night of his life. Wearing #37 for the Buds, Kapanen began the night playing alongside of Colin Greening and Peter Holland on the third line right wing, but eventually moved up to play alongside of Nylander and Hyman to start the third period. He had a nice dangle and almost put home his first NHL goal, but Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevsky got a hold of the puck and shut him down. That being said, he was arguably the best prospect out on the ice for the Buds, and played a solid two way game. Not many people deemed him to make the roster next season like they did with players like Nylander and 2015 4th overall pick Mitch Marner, but he's making a strong case for himself so far.

ZACH HYMAN

 
 

Hyman started off the game playing alongside of Nylander and Grabner on the right wing, and finished playing with Nylander and Kapanen rather than Grabner. Needless to say, he was always on a line with tons of skill. Not to say Hyman isn't skilled, but he played more of a power forward/gritty type game for the majority of the night. He had a pretty good chance toward the end of the game when he used his size to push the defender out of the way and drive the net with the puck, but again, Vasilevsky was rock solid and shut him down. Hyman looked far from out of place, however. He has the size to hold his own and not get knocked around by other players but also has a great shot and good hands. He could also find himself in a full time role on the Leafs next season if his development keeps up properly.

NIKITA SOSHNIKOV

   

The Nizhny Tagil native and unofficial recipient for best name, Soshnikov essentially has the same story as Hyman. He looked far from out of place and kept up with the speed of the NHL, compared to his previous stints with in the AHL and the KHL. Soshnikov is a crafty player and is a very strong skater and makes solid decisions with the puck. He earned his callup after being one of the top producers for the Marlies this season, with 18 goals and 28 points in 50 games. He played alongside of Peter Holland and Brad Boyes for the majority of the night, but found himself in key situations such as the penalty kill. He is another sleeper that could very well make the Maple Leafs full time next season.

Needless to say, the Leafs' youth movement is in full force, and is a real look into the future of this young team.