10 Leafs Prospects You May Not Know: 6-10

By Alex Hobson

Welcome to Part Two of prospects you may not know. Last week we covered Pierre Engvall, Fabrice Herzog, Dominic Toninato, Tony Cameranesi, and Nolan Vesey. Today we'll take a look at the final five on my list. Here are 6-10.

6. J.J Piccinich (RW, 5'11, 190lb, London Knights, OHL)

Piccinich is yet another Leafs prospect that spent his entire junior career in the NCAA. The Englewood, New Jersey native was selected 103rd overall in the 2014 NHL Draft, and in his draft year he recorded 58 points in 60 games for the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL. He went to Boston University and didn't see the same success, only recording 4 points in 25 games, but next season he'll head to the OHL and play for the London Knights along top Leafs prospect Mitch Marner, where Leafs scouts will be able to keep a closer eye on him.

7. Cody Donaghey (D, 6'1, 187lb, Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL)

Donaghey is an interesting prospect in the Leafs system. He went undrafted after the 2014 NHL draft, and so the Leafs invited him to prospect camp in 2014 after a good season with the Quebec Remparts, recording 38 points in 67 games. After impressing at prospect camp, he earned himself an entry level deal. He recently finished another season with the Remparts, when he recorded 15 points in 27 games. The St. Johns, Newfoundland native will play for the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMHJL in the 2015-16 season.

8. Garret Sparks (G, 6'3, 201lb, Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL)

Sparks may not stand out at you as a decent prospect because he's in the ECHL. The league below the AHL. That being said, don't let his team fool you. He is a solid goaltender and is only on the Bears because he lost out to Antoine Bibeau and Chris Gibson as the final spots on the Marlies. The three of them are very equal in skill. If the Leafs get rid of someone along the lines of James Reimer at the deadline, expect Gibson to be called up and Sparks to see some AHL time.

9. Tom Nilsson (D, 6'0, 183lb, Toronto Marlies, AHL)

Nilsson is not the biggest defenseman, but don't let that scare you away. He is a very hard nosed defenseman who loves to hit and will get right in your face. He isn't outstanding offensively and won't be on the scoresheet too often, but he will without a doubt be in the defensive zone shutting down scorers. Expect the Tyreso, Sweden native to challenge for a spot on the Marlies this year.

10. Nikita Soshnikov (RW, 5'11, 183lb, Toronto Marlies, AHL)

Soshnikov is arguably the most interesting prospect on this list. He is an undrafted prospect who was signed by the Leafs to a three year entry level contract in March 2015, and after having a solid season with Atlant Mytishchi of the KHL, recording 32 points in 57 games, the Nizhny Tagil, Russia native will play for the Marlies in the upcoming season. He will challenge for a roster spot in training camp, and if he doesn't earn it, he will be one of their first callups to the team.

Thanks for reading.