Welcome back to the final part to my four part monthly prospect update for your beloved Maple Leafs. Today, we cover the final league where prospects are currently playing, the AHL. More specifically, the Toronto Marlies. This will likely be the longest piece out of the four given that the majority of their team is composed of prospects. There are a few key players worth noting here, so let's take a look at how they're doing.
Casey Bailey, C (Signed as undrafted free agent in 2015)
When the Leafs signed Bailey to a two year entry level contract in March 2015, he was expected to join the Leafs for the remainder of their final six games so that they could get a glimpse of how he played, and he was expected to join the Marlies the following year. He is currently having a decent season, with 2 points in 5 games.
Antoine Bibeau, G (6th round, 172nd overall in 2013)
Bibeau is off to a great start for the Marlies. Sharing starting time with Garret Sparks, he's sporting a 5-1-0 record with a .908 save percentage and 2.17 goals against average, which was good enough to earn himself a call up to the Leafs after Jonathan Bernier was injured. He has yet to play in an NHL game, but it's possible he could see his first start this weekend in a back to back series.
Connor Brown, LW (6th round, 156th overall in 2012)
Brown was one of the most hyped players heading into the 2015-16 AHL season. After leading the Marlies in scoring in his first pro season, and leading all rookies throughout the league, he deemed himself as one of their top reliable goal scorers. Unfortunately, Brown fractured his foot in his eighth game with the Marlies and is out indefinitely. He was able to put up 4 points during that time.
Sam Carrick, C (5th round, 144th overall in 2010)
Carrick has all the tools to be an effective future bottom six centre in the NHL. While he doesn't have the offensive talent to be a scorer, he's gritty, good defensively, and plays with tons of heart. He currently has 2 points in 9 games for the Baby Leafs.
Frank Corrado, D (5th round, 150th overall in 2011 by Vancouver, acquired via waivers)
The Leafs picked Corrado up on waivers in early October 2015, and he practiced with the team for a few days before being sent to the AHL for a conditioning stint. He put up 3 points in 6 games for the Marlies, and has recently been recalled to the Leafs, but has yet to suit up for the big club.
Byron Froese, C (4th round, 119th overall in 2009 by Chicago, acquired via free agency)
The only reason i'm putting Froese on this list is because even though he's spent the majority of the start of the season with the Leafs, he's still considered a prospect and has suited up for the Marlies. The Winkler, Manitoba native went from playing in the ECHL to earning himself a contract with the Leafs. He put up 3 goals in 4 games for the Marlies and has recorded one assist in six games for the Leafs.
Frederik Gauthier, C (1st round, 23rd overall in 2013)
Gauthier was one of the few first round picks in 2013 that was drafted for his defensive game and size rather than skill. He's sporting a bottom six role with the Marlies and has recorded 3 points in 9 games for the team.
Petter Granberg, D (4th round, 116th overall in 2010)
Granberg has not suited up for a single game for the Marlies this season, so there really isn't much to say about the defensive defenseman at this point.
Zach Hyman, C (5th round, 123rd overall in 2010 by Florida, acquired via trade)
After refusing to sign with the team that originally drafted him in the Florida Panthers, he was traded to the Leafs along with a 7th round pick for fellow prospect Greg McKegg. Hyman is currently off to a rather slow start with the Marlies, recording only 3 points in 8 games for the team, but he's expected to pick it up sooner rather than later.
Kasperi Kapanen, RW (1st round, 22nd overall in 2014 by Pittsburgh, acquired via trade)
One of the main pieces coming back in the famous Phil Kessel trade, Kapanen was expected to be a mainstay on the Marlies this season. He's currently in a minor slump, recording only 2 goals in 7 games, but much like Hyman, is expected to pick it up in the near future.
Brendan Leipsic, LW (3rd round, 89th overall in 2013 by Nashville, acquired via trade)
The small but gritty forward who is comparable to former fan favourite Darcy Tucker was brought in as a prospect when the Leafs traded Mike Santorelli and Cody Franson to Nashville. He's having a solid campaign for the Marlies right now, and has recorded 6 points in 9 games.
Josh Leivo, LW (3rd round, 86th overall in 2011)
Leivo has been one of the most consistent players on the Marlies since making his debut in 2013-14. He currently has 8 points in 9 games, and will likely be one of their first go-to callups pending any injuries at forward.
Viktor Loov, D (7th round, 209th overall in 2012)
The big swedish defenseman showed signs of being a future solid NHL defenseman at training camp this season, being able to skate fast despite his large size and being able to unleash a booming slapshot. He's currently got 3 points in 8 games for the Marlies this year.
William Nylander, C/RW (1st round, 8th overall in 2014)
What else can be said about Will Ny the hockey guy? He's currently the most consistent scorer on the Marlies and is leading them in points with 5 goals and 9 points in 9 games. He showed signs of being NHL ready during preseason and probably could have made an impact had they left him on the team, but management wanted to make sure he was more than ready before letting him stay on the team. He will likely earn himself a spot next season.
Stuart Percy, D (1st round, 25th overall in 2011)
Stuart Percy is that guy that somehow always goes under the radar, but he's been one of the Leafs' most consistent and reliable prospects. He doesn't really have a strength, but doesn't really have a weakness either. He can be relied on in all three zones and is a player you can trust in all situations. He currently has 3 points in 9 games, so not outstanding totals but again, good solid player at both ends of the ice.
Ryan Rupert, LW (6th round, 157th overall in 2012)
Rupert is a player similar to that of Brendan Leipsic. Small, gritty, but has an offensive kick to his game. He's put up 3 goals and 4 points in 7 games so far for the Marlies.
Nikita Soshnikov, RW (Signed as undrafted free agent in 2015)
Soshnikov was highly touted coming into training camp because of the fact that he's a solid offensive player despite the fact that he wasn't drafted. He's having a good season for the Marlies this year, with 6 points in 11 games. He could potentially crack the roster next season.
Garret Sparks, G (7th round, 190th overall in 2011)
Sparks found himself playing for the Leafs' ECHL affiliate in 2014-15 after losing to Chris Gibson and Antoine Bibeau for the starting job. Since then Gibson was traded to the Islanders and Sparks has made himself at home in the 1B role for the Marlies. He currently has a 3-2-0 record with a .933 save percentage.
Thanks for reading. The next update for this series will come at the beginning of December.
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