After an eventful firesale leading up to the trade deadline but a quiet deadline day for the Maple Leafs, I figured it's time we check up on our revamped prospect pool and how these promising prospects are performing in the minors. Let's kick things off with the OHL.
OHL
Jeremy Bracco, RW, Kitchener Rangers, (2nd round, 61st overall in 2015)
Bracco is having a solid campaign in his first OHL season. After making the decision to leave Boston College to join the Rangers at the start of the season, the Long Island native responded nicely in the OHL and to this day has 61 points in 47 games.
Travis Dermott, D, Erie Otters, (2nd round, 34th overall in 2015)
Dermott was projected to go late second/third round in the 2015 draft, so many fans were surprised when the Leafs snagged him at 34th overall when talent such as Oliver Kylington, Daniel Sprong, and Jansen Harkins were still availible. That being said, Dermott has not disappointed and currently has 39 points in 48 games for the Otters.
Stephen Desrocher, D, Kingston Frontenacs, (6th round, 155th overall in 2015)
After going with skilled players for the majority of the draft, the Leafs took a towering defensive defenseman with the 155th overall pick. After being traded from the Oshawa Generals to the Frontenacs mid season, the Toronto native has registered a combined total of 46 points in 67 games, good totals for his style of play.
Mitch Marner, C/RW, London Knights, (1st round, 4th overall in 2015)
Marner is currently producing at an outstanding pace for the Knights, but does that really surprise anyone? He currently has 111 points in 54 games on a stacked Knights squad that features the likes of Christian Dvorak, Matthew Tkachuk, Max Jones, and Olli Juolevi along with Marner. He has the skill of an NHL player, but needs to put on weight. Fellow prospect William Nylander put on 20 pounds of weight last summer and is now in the NHL, so there's no reason Marner can't do the same.
Nikita Korostelev, RW, Sarnia Sting, (7th round, 185th overall in 2015)
Korostelev has been somewhat of a disappointment for the Sting this season, but he's still producing good totals. After putting up 53 points in 55 games for the Sting last season, the Moscow native was expected to go in the third round but somehow slipped to the seventh, and the Leafs didn't hesitate to pick him up. This season, he only has 37 points in 49 games, but it's still possible he picks up his pace and matches his previous total.
J.J. Piccinich, RW, London Knights (4th round, 103rd overall in 2014)
Pinninich has been a very pleasant surprise for the Maple Leafs this season. After struggling in his post draft year at Boston University, recording only 4 points in 25 games, he made the decision to leave Boston U and join the Knights alongside fellow teammate Mitch Marner. He currently has 63 points in 63 games for the Knights and has filled in a solid role for them. It's very possible we see Piccinich in a Marlies jersey next season.
WHL
Andrew Nielsen, D, Lethbridge Hurricanes (3rd round, 74th overall in 2015)
Nielsen has been arguably the biggest surprise around the Leafs prospect pool this season. After putting up 24 points in 59 games as a defensive, physical defenseman in his draft year, the Red Deer native has exploded for 68 points in 68 games as a member of the Hurricanes. He's proved doubters wrong and shown them he has an offensive side to his game this season.
QMJHL
Martins Dzierkals, LW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (3rd round, 78th overall in 2015)
When Mark Hunter stepped to the board and announced Dzierkals' name in the third round, nobody knew who he was. He was a young Latvian forward playing in the MHL, the junior league of the KHL. He decided to move to Canada to play for the Huskies in the QMJHL where scouts could get a better look at him, and he currently has 66 points in 56 games. He also plays a gritty game, so the Leafs could have found themselves another gem in this one.
Dmytro Timashov, LW, Shawinigan Cataractes (5th round, 125th overall in 2015)
Timashov is arguably the Leafs biggest steal in the draft this season. After slipping to the 5th round for the Leafs to take him, he's put up 62 assists and 83 points in 56 games splitting time between the Cataractes and the Quebec Remparts. He has insane passing ability and could be one of the most skilled players in the Q.
AHL
Antoine Bibeau, G (6th round, 172nd overall in 2013)
With Garret Sparks dominating the net to start off the season, Bibeau had a shaky start to the season. That being said, he's boulstered his game as of late and currently holds a 21-7-1 record with a 2.87 GAA and a .910 save percentage. The Leafs recently dealt James Reimer to the Sharks and Sparks earned a callup, so expect Bibeau to get a look on the Maple Leafs soon enough.
Connor Brown, RW (6th round, 156th overall in 2012)
Brown suffered a foot injury at the start of the season which at the time was a huge blow to the Marlies. Since returning from injury, Brown has registered 24 points in 27 games. If any injuries occur to forwards on the Leafs team, Brown will likely be the next callup.
Sam Carrick, C (5th round, 144th overall in 2010)
The gritty forward was drafted for his physical and defensive game, and is currently having a solid season for the Marlies. The Stouffville native has put up 25 points in 43 games for the Baby Leafs while usually centering one of the bottom six lines.
Frederik Gauthier, C (1st round, 21st overall in 2013)
Gauthier had a solid season for the Rimouski Oceanic last season, helping them to a Memorial Cup appearance, and could be on his way to another cup run this season with the Marlies. Usually centering the third line for the Marlies, he's being utilized for his defensive game and currently has 16 points in 51 games.
Scott Harrington, D (Acquired via trade with Pittsburgh)
Harrington started off the season with the Maple Leafs after an impressive training camp, and has since been reassigned to the Marlies for grooming. He currently has only 3 points in 17 games after missing a large chunk of the season due to injury, so expect him to improve his game when he returns.
Kasperi Kapanen, LW (Acquired via trade with Pittsburgh)
Kapanen was the key piece in the return of the trade that saw goal scorer Phil Kessel sent to the Penguins. He's currently having a solid AHL campaign with 24 points in 35 games for the Baby Leafs. The Kuopio native earned himself a brief stint with the Maple Leafs but was reassigned after 4 games.
Brendan Leipsic, RW (Acquired via trade with Nashville)
Leipsic is having a solid season in the AHL for the Marlies with 42 points in 53 games. He's spent 6 games in the NHL with the Leafs, recording 3 points including his first NHL goal. He's making a strong case for himself to remain a Leaf heading into next season.
Josh Leivo, LW (3rd round, 86th overall in 2011)
Leivo has struggled with inconsistency in the pros since being drafted, but it seems this season is his year. He has 40 points in 44 games in the AHL and in his recent callup, he recorded 4 goals in 5 games with the Leafs. He possesses a strong shot and will more than likely be a Leaf next season.
Tobias Lindberg, LW (Acquired via trade with Ottawa)
Lindberg was a very valuable player for the Generals during their Memorial Cup run last year, and has gotten off to a strong start with the Marlies since being acquired in the Dion Phaneuf trade, with 7 points in 13 games. He has a good combination of size and skill to his game, something many GM's drool over.
Stuart Percy, D, (1st round, 25th overall in 2015)
Percy is one of those defenseman that is solid in every aspect of his game, but isn't flashy. He currently has 21 points in 49 games for the Marlies and next season could very well ensure himself a spot on the NHL roster.
Colin Smith, C (Acquired via trade with Colorado)
The Leafs got a pretty good return in Smith in the trade that sent Shawn Matthias to the Avalanche. Smith currently has 10 points in his first 9 games with the Marlies and could prove to be a valuable player for the Maple Leafs and the Marlies in the future.
NCAA
Tony Cameranesi, C, University of Minnesota-Duluth (5th round, 130th overall in 2011)
Cameranesi has been a very solid addition to the Maple Leafs prospect pool since being drafted. He currently has 35 points in 35 games for UMD, but has yet to been offered an ELC. If he's given one this season, expect him
Dakota Joshua, C, Ohio State University (5th round, 128th overall in 2014)
Joshua played a key role in the Sioux Falls Stampede's cup run last season and is adjusting well to the NCAA. He currently has 17 points in 27 games for OSU.
Nolan Vesey, RW, University of Maine (6th round, 158th overall in 2014)
After a dreadful start to the season, Vesey has somewhat picked up his game and recorded 11 points in 26 games for UM. He isn't producing like he did last season, but is still having a solid run.
Dominic Toninato, C, University of Minnesota-Duluth (5th round, 126th overall in 2012)
Toninato is playing a key role alongside of fellow Leafs prospect Tony Cameranesi this season, recording 19 points in 36 games. Not producing quite like Cameranesi, but still having a good season.
EUROPE
Pierre Engvall, LW, Mora IK, SHL (7th round, 188th overall in 2014)
Engvall is having a solid season for Mora this season with 12 goals and 12 assists, good for 24 points in 50 games for the team. He will likely return there next season if the Leafs do not offer him an entry level contract this summer.
Fabrice Herzog, LW, ZSC Lions, National League A (5th round, 142nd overall in 2013)
Herzog is producing far better than he did last season for the Swiss pro team. Playing alongside of projected 2016 first overall pick Auston Matthews, he's produced 22 points in 34 games for the Lions. It's unknown whether or not the Leafs will offer him an entry level contract when the time comes.
Andreas Johnson, LW, Frolunda HC, SHL (7th round 202nd overall in 2013)
Johnson is what I like to call a Detroit Red Wings style pick. A skilled European taken in the late rounds of the draft. Johnson currently has 44 points in 52 games for Frolunda this season and could potentially play for the Marlies next season. The Leafs may have found a gem in this guy.
Jesper Lindgren, D, MODO HC, SHL (4th round, 95th overall in 2015)
Lindgren was deemed not ready for the SHL this season, after only recording 3 points in 26 games. He's having a good campaign in the J20 league, however, with 14 points in 20 games.
NHL
Connor Carrick, D (Acquired via trade with Washington)
In the hefty return the Leafs got that sent Daniel Winnik to Washington, Carrick has been a solid player for the Maple Leafs since his arrival. He's impressed head coach Mike Babcock with his gritty play, despite standing at only 5'11 and 185lb. He currently has 2 assists in 6 games with the Maple Leafs.
Zach Hyman, C/RW (Acquired via trade with Florida)
Hyman has quickly become a favourite of head coach Mike Babcock since his callup. He's a gritty player who isn't afraid to throw the body and can score too. He currently has 2 goals in 6 games and according to the Leafs' coaching staff, he's here to stay this season.
Nikita Soshnikov, LW/RW (Signed as Free Agent in 2015)
Soshnikov has quickly become a fan favourite of the Maple Leafs since being recalled, and he's only played 6 games. Known for his excessive celebrations, his ability to get under the skin of opponents, and his rocket of a wrist shot, he's fit in nicely on the top line alongside of Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov. He currently has 2 goals and 3 points in 6 games.
William Nylander, C/RW (1st round, 8th overall in 2014)
Arguably the most highly touted call up this season, Nylander has shown strong ability to possess the puck and carry it away from opponents. He currently has 45 points in 37 games with the Marlies this season and 2 points in 6 games with the Maple Leafs. He's likely a shoo-in to make the Leafs full time next year.
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