Top 10 Swedish NHL Prospects

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to my top ten rankings of prospects hailing from each country. We've already covered Canada and USA, today we're going to go over another very deep list in Sweden. The first of two Scandanavian countries i'll be tackling, let's take a look at who the Super Swedes hold.

10. Rasmus Andersson, D, Barrie Colts, OHL (2nd round, 54th overall in 2015 to the Calgary Flames)
 


Andersson has taken on a leadership role in what will likely be his final season in Barrie, serving as alternate captain while currently playing as the team's number one defenseman. He had a very solid season for them last year with 64 points in 67 games, very solid numbers for a defenseman. This season he's upped the ante a little bit with 48 points in 51 games, and if he keeps playing the way he does then he should surpass his previous total and work for a roster spot on the Flames next season.

9. Sebastian Aho, D, Skelleftea AIK, SHL (Top prospect eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft)


This name sounds familiar doesn't it? It should. There is a Finnish prospect with the exact same name as this guy who gained fame for centring Finland's top line at the World Juniors with top 2016 NHL Draft prospects Jesse Puljujarvi and Patrik Laine. This guy is a little bit different, however. He's a small defenseman who manages to put up solid points for a defenseman in the SHL. He currently has 15 points in 34 games for Skelleftea this season and after going undrafted in 2014 and 2015, there should be many teams interested in his services this year.

8. Niklas Hansson, D, HV71, SHL (3rd round, 68th overall in 2013 to the Dallas Stars)
 


Hansson is one of the Swedish prospects that flies under the radar, given his age and where he plays. However, Hansson is one of the better developing defensemen playing in the SHL. He currently has 21 points in 35 points playing against mostly men. He's a solid puck moving defenseman who has the ability to produce very well offensively while maintaining himself nicely in his own zone. He's one of the Stars' top defensive prospects and is expected to make the jump to the Stars' AHL team after his final season with HV71.

7. Dmytro Timashov, LW, Shawinigan Cataractes, QMJHL (5th round, 125th overall in 2015 to the Toronto Maple Leafs)
 


Timashov is a very interesting and exciting case. A native of Kirovograd, Ukraine, he holds dual citzenship with Sweden and Ukraine, but chose to represent Sweden at the World Juniors. He's arguably the steal of the 2015 draft, posting ridiculous numbers in his post-draft season. He already had very good totals in his first QMJHL season with 71 assists and 90 points in 66 games with the Quebec Remparts, and in 2015-16 he's recorded a total of 75 points in 45 games as of late, splitting time between the Remparts and the Shawinigan Cataractes. He's an incredible playmaker and had a good WJC campaign, posting 7 points in 7 games.

6. Joel Eriksson-Ek, C, Farjestad BK, SHL (1st round, 20th overall in 2015 to the Minnesota Wild)
 


Joel Eriksson-Ek was the first Swede to be drafted in 2015, and the Wild certainly were not disappointed with who they picked up. Eriksson-Ek is having a solid run with Farjestad this season, recording 14 points in 31 games. These totals are impressive given his age and his competition. He played a defensive role for Team Sweden at the World Juniors and will likely play out the rest of his contract in Sweden to develop before making the jump to North America.

5. Gabriel Carlsson, D, Linkoping HC, SHL (1st round, 29th overall in 2015 to the Columbus Blue Jackets) 
 


Carlsson is a prime example of what you want in a future solid top four defenseman. He's got size to him at 6'4 and 183lbs, he's very good defensively and pretty solid offensvely. He currently has 6 points in 37 games for Linkoping this season, and totaled three points for Sweden at the World Juniors while playing in a shutdown role. Like Eriksson-Ek, he will likely play out the rest of his contract with Linkoping before making the transition to North America, but it's also a possiblity that he leaves early to join the Jackets' farm team.

4. Jacob Larsson, D, Frolunda HC, SHL (1st round, 27th overall in 2015 to the Anaheim Ducks)
 


Larsson is very similar to Gabriel Carlsson, given that they both play solid two way games, but Larsson has a slight offensive upside and is producing better numbers in the SHL. He currently has 13 points in 38 games for Frolunda, which is pretty impressive given his age and the fact that he's playing against mostly men. He will play a big part on the Ducks' future defensive core alongside of Canadian Shea Theodore if he develops properly.

3. Adrian Kempe, LW, Ontario Reign, AHL (1st round, 29th overall in 2014 to the Los Angeles Kings)
 


The first player in a North American Pro league that we see on this list, Kempe is developing smoothly in his first full pro season in the AHL. The Kramfors, Sweden native has put up 21 points in 37 games for the Reign and played a key role for Sweden in the World Juniors, putting up 8 points in 7 games. Soon after he was drafted, scouts began to compare him to current Los Angeles Kings forward and two time Stanley Cup champion Jeff Carter, so he could end up fitting well into the Kings' system if he develops properly.

2. Alexander Nylander, LW, Mississauga Steelheads, OHL (Top prospect for the 2016 NHL Draft)
 


Nylander was once regarded as a potential late first round/early second round prospect heading into the 2016 NHL Draft, but since joining the Mississauga Steelheads prior to being selected by them in the 2015 CHL Import Draft, he has skyrocketed in the rankings and is now projected to go in between 5th-10th overall. He currently has 69 points in 47 games for the Steelheads and is a big part of their success this season. On top of that, he had a great World Juniors campaign, recording 9 points in 7 games. Whoever picks this kid up is getting a great player.

1. William Nylander, C, Toronto Marlies, AHL (1st round, 8th overall in 2014 to the Toronto Maple Leafs)
 


We just finished talking about one Nylander, so why not talk about another? William Nylander, older brother of Alexander, is currently having a phenominal AHL season for the dominating Marlies, with 40 points in 32 games at age 19. He was expected to play for Sweden at the World Juniors this season, but was forced out in game one against Switzerland after taking a headshot from Swiss prospect Chris Egli. Nylander managed to salvage a goal from that game, and up until that injury he was leading the AHL in scoring. He's technically NHL ready this season, but Leafs management wanted to be sure with him and left him in the minors for one final season. He's essentially a lock to make the Leafs next season.

Thanks for reading, everyone.

Top 10 American NHL Prospects

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to my top ten prospect series, where I go over the best examples of the next generation of the NHL in each country. Yesterday we went over Canada, today we'll discuss USA. Let's take a look

10. Conor Garland, C, Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL (5th round, 125th overall in 2015 to the Arizona Coyotes)



Garland is a very interesting prospect. He's undersized, there's no doubt about that. Standing at 5'8 and 163lbs, he's definitely not known for his frame. What he is known for is the fact that he led the QMJHL in scoring last season and is currently leading them again this season. After tallying 129 points in 67 games last year, he's on pace to match his career high, as he currently has 109 points in 50 games. He left the Coyotes wondering how he dropped to the 5th round and they're more than pleased with the result.

9. Colin White, C, Boston College, NCAA (1st round, 21st overall in 2015 to the Ottawa Senators)



After making the transition from the USHL's USNTDP Juniors to Boston College of the NCAA, Colin White is having a great first season. Currently has 36 points in 28 games and also played a key role for Team USA at the World Juniors, while putting up 7 points in 7 games for them.

8. Sonny Milano, LW, Lake Erie Monsters, AHL (1st round, 16th overall in 2014 to the Columbus Blue Jackets)



Milano was drafted while playing for the USNTDP in 2014, and the very next season he joined the OHL's Plymouth Whalers, recording a solid 68 points in 50 games for his new team. This season was his first as a pro, and is having a very good campaign with the Lake Erie Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets with 17 points in 31 games.

7. Thatcher Demko, G, Boston College, NCAA (2nd round, 36th overall in 2014 to the Vancouver Canucks)



Demko is making huge strides playing alongside of fellow American top prospect Colin White with Boston College. The California native is arguably the best goalie in the NCAA, holding a 20-4-4 record with a 1.80 GAA and a .935 save percentage. If he keeps up his performance, he could very well become a #1 goalie in the NHL.

6. Jimmy Vesey, LW, Harvard University, NCAA (3rd round, 66th overall in 2012 to the Nashville Predators) 



Vesey is by far the most interesting prospect on this list. He is ripping up Harvard U this season with 18 goals and 35 points in 24 games this season, but he has yet to be signed to a contract and is a UFA entering the 2016 offseason. If the rumours are true, I'm sure tons of teams will be interested. He is putting up very impressive numbers for the NCAA.

5. Matthew Tkachuk, LW, London Knights, OHL (Top 2016 NHL Draft Eligible Prospect)



Tkachuk has garnered tons of interest around the league since he left the US to play for the London Knights of the OHL. He's tearing it up in his first season, playing alongside of 2015 fourth pick Mitch Marner and fellow 2016 draft prospects Max Jones and Olli Juolevi. He put up 11 points in 7 games for USA at the World Juniors and currently has 81 points in 43 games for the Knights.

4. Christian Dvorak, C, London Knights, OHL (2nd round, 58th overall in 2014 to the Arizona Coyotes)



The second of back to back London Knights on this list, Dvorak is tearing up the OHL this year with 96 points in 45 games as of late. This being his last eligible season to play in the OHL, expect him to report to the Coyotes' AHL affiliate, and push for a spot on the main roster alongside of former Knights teammate Max Domi.

3. Kyle Connor, C, University of Michigan, NCAA (1st round, 17th overall in 2015 to the Winnipeg Jets)



Connor is making a real name for himself this year in the NCAA. After being projected to go in between 10-15th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft, the Winnipeg Jets were ecstatic to see him slip to 17. He's currently leading the NCAA in scoring with 46 points in 27 games for UM. He's making a serious case for the Jets to look at bringing him up next season.

2. Zach Werenski, D, University of Michigan, NCAA (1st round, 8th overall in 2015 to the Columbus Blue Jackets)



Another back-to-back University of Michigan player, Werenski is having a stellar campaign this year. He currently has 21 points in 25 games, very good totals for a defenseman in the NCAA, and is great defensively and can throw the body as well. Put up nine points in seven games for Team USA at the World Juniors this year, and could easily be a top candidate to make the Jackets full time next season.

1. Auston Matthews, C, ZSC Lions, NLA (2016 top draft-eligible prospect)



It was not hard to label Matthews as the top American prospect this year. After putting up disgusting numbers for the USNTDP last season, he shocked the hockey world by signing with the ZSC Lions in Switzerland for his draft year. He currently has 38 points in 32 games and is the projected first overall pick for the coming draft in June.

Thanks for reading, everyone.

Top 10 Canadian NHL Prospects

By Alex Hobson

Welcome to a brand new series here on PHU. I will be making top ten lists of prospects from each country. There aren't really any rules for these lists, though to be considered a prospect for my lists they have to have played no more than 20 games in the NHL, so players such as Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Dylan Larkin, Max Domi etc will not be featured on these lists.

To kick things off, let's go over the top ten prospects from our home and native land itself, Canada.

10. Brayden Point, C, Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL (3rd round, 79th overall in 2014 to the Tampa Bay Lightning)



Point really made a name for himself at the 2016 World Junior Championships, captaining Team Canada in the midst of a successful season with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL. He currently has 67 points in 34 games playing alongside of 2016 draft prospect Brett Howden. Point recorded five points in five games for Team Canada at the WJC. Expect him to report to the Syracuse Crunch, AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning after his season with Moose Jaw finishes.

9. Jakob Chychrun, D, Sarnia Sting, OHL (Top prospect eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft)



Chychrun was once a projected top three pick for the 2016 NHL Draft, and has since slipped a little bit due to unbeliveable performances from Finnish prospects Jesse Puljujarvi and Patrik Laine at the WJC. Chychrun currently has 38 points in 51 games for the Sting this season. If he keeps his play up until the draft, he will likely be a top five pick.

8. Thomas Chabot, D, Saint-John Sea Dogs, QMJHL (1st round, 18th overall in 2015 to the Ottawa Senators)



Chabot is having a stellar season for the Sea Dogs this season, posting 30 points in 33 games as a defenseman. One of Team Canada's more reliable defensemen at the WJC, Chabot plays a strong two way game, and though he is eligible for one final season in the QMJHL next season, he could make a strong push to play for the Senators next season.

7. Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston Frontenacs, OHL (1st round, 11th overall in 2015 to the Florida Panthers)



Lots of scouts had Crouse ranked in the top seven of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, and though he slipped to 11th, the Panthers got themselves a solid player. Crouse uses his big frame at 6'4 and 214lbs to play a strong power forward role, which he utilized for Team Canada at the World Juniors, where he recorded 5 points in 5 games for Canada. He currently has 41 points in 35 games for the Frontenacs this season.

6. Travis Sanheim, D, Calgary Hitmen, WHL (1st round, 17th overall to the Philadelphia Flyers



Though he didn't really show up on the scoresheet for Team Canada at the WJC, Sanheim is having a stellar season with the Hitmen. He's known as a solid two way defenseman with strong defensive skills, but he has 45 points in 36 games for the Hitmen, averaging more than a point per game. It's safe to say that he will be a lock for the Flyers' future defensive core.

5. Travis Konecny, C, Sarnia Sting, OHL (1st round, 24th overall to the Philadelphia Flyers



Konecny is undersized at 5'10 and 176lbs, but the thing that seperates him from other small players is that he is not afraid to get into the dirty areas and do whatever it takes to win. He's a good hitter for his size and has hard-nosed determination. Not only is he gritty, he's an offensive juggernaut. Splitting time between the Ottawa 67's and Sarnia Sting this year, he's combined for 79 points in 48 games. He recorded two points in five games for Team Canada at the World Juniors.

4. Mathew Barzal, C, Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL (1st round, 16th overall in 2015 to the New York Islanders)



Once a projected top ten pick for the 2015 NHL Draft, Barzal slipped to 16th overall due to injuries, but it's safe to say the Islanders got themselves a solid player. He currently has 67 points in 44 games for the Thunderbirds. If Barzal can stay healthy, he's a force everywhere on the ice. Had a solid showing for Team Canada with 3 points in 5 games at the WJC.

3. Shea Theodore, D, San Diego Gulls, AHL (1st round, 26th overall in 2013 to the Anaheim Ducks)



The first player on this list to play in the AHL, Theodore has posted solid stats in both the NHL and AHL. Appearing in 13 games for the Ducks this season, he posted six points in 13 games and has 21 points in 33 games in the AHL for the Gulls. If he develops properly, he will without a doubt become a rock of a top four defenseman for the Ducks.

2. Mitch Marner, RW, London Knights, OHL (1st round, 4th overall in 2015 to the Toronto Maple Leafs)



Marner is having an absolutely ridiculous season with the Knights so far. Playing as co-captain with Christian Dvorak, he currently has 89 points in 43 games. He also had a good tenure with Team Canada at the WJC with six points in five games. He needs to put on some weight, but otherwise should more or less be a lock to make the Maple Leafs next season.

1. Dylan Strome, C, Erie Otters, OHL, (1st round, 3rd overall in 2015 to the Arizona Coyotes)



Strome is right up there with Marner in terms of having very strong seasons. He was the OHL's leading scorer in 2014-15 and like Marner, had six points in five games for Team Canada at the WJC. He currently has 82 points in 41 games for the Otters, but has less around him to work with and is bigger with a harder shot than Marner, which gives him a slight edge.

Thanks for reading, everyone.

Breaking Down the Dion Phaneuf Trade

By Alex Hobson

At this point, everyone knows the stage the Leafs are at now. They're rebuilding and ready to sell their assets for prospects and draft picks as we get closer to the trade deadline on February 29th. Of these players, captain Dion Phaneuf was going to be the hardest to move without a doubt. Having underperformed in his first few years with the Leafs and carrying a hefty $7m cap hit, it would be a real challenge for the Leafs brass to move him.

However, on February 9th, 2016, GM Lou Lamoriello dropped a bombshell.

The Leafs announced that they traded Dion Phaneuf to the division rival Ottawa Senators in a nine player trade. I'm here to break down the detail and give you all some extra info on who they shipped out and acquired.

TO OTTAWA

Dion Phaneuf



Phaneuf has arguably taken more heat than any other player in the NHL since arriving in Toronto. Obviously being the captain of the largest media-surrounded franchise in the NHL is no walk in the park, and when he didn't produce the numbers he did in Calgary, the media and fans ate him alive. However, this season, after being coached by Mike Babcock, he found his game again and currently has 24 points in 51 games for the Buds. He will likely thrive in Ottawa with less pressure.

Matt Frattin



Losing Frattin frankly isn't that big of a deal for the Leafs. He has produced decent totals for the Marlies this season with 22 points in 47 games but has had trouble maintaining a spot on the NHL team. He will likely serve as a depth forward or call-up for the Sens.

Casey Bailey



Bailey was signed to a two year entry level contract by the Maple Leafs in March of 2015 and appeared in six games for them in 2014-15, scoring one goal. This season he started off in the AHL, and like Frattin has produced decent numbers with 18 points in 38 games for them. He likely would not have been called up pending injuries but can serve nicely as a depth player for the Senators.

Ryan Rupert



Rupert is another case similar to Bailey and Frattin. He has shifted back and forth between the AHL and the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears this season, and has played pretty well for the Marlies with 12 points in 29 games. He will more than likely continue to develop through the Senators' system in the minors.

Cody Donaghey



Donaghey went undrafted and was nabbed to an entry level contract prior to the start of the 2014-15 NHL season, and is producing pretty good numbers for the Moncton Wildcats with 11 points in 15 games. He is a pretty good prospect but likely did not have a future with the Leafs given their overwhelming prospect depth at LD.

TO TORONTO

Jared Cowen



Cowen is a very interesting case coming back to the Leafs. After being drafted ninth overall in 2009 by the Senators as a towering two way defenseman, he has failed to live up to expectations and only has 4 points in 37 games this season. However, a fresh start could be in order for the Saskatoon native and his game could be turned around after some games under Babcock.

Milan Michalek



A former NHL all star, Michalek is more or less a cap dump coming back to the Maple Leafs. He's not producing terrible numbers with 10 points in 32 games, but then again he carries a hefty cap of $4 million per season. His contract expires next year, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Colin Greening



A former reliable depth forward for the Sens, Greening has struggled to find his game as of late and has spent most of his time in the minors. With $2.6 million, he's yet another cap dump and could see some bottom six time with the Maple Leafs, but if not can serve as a solid AHL forward to boulster the Marlies' roster.

Tobias Lindberg



Lindberg was one of the prime targets of Lou Lamoriello, and primarily Mark Hunter in this trade. He's a hulking power forward, standing at 6'3 and 216lbs and played a key role with last year's memorial cup winning Oshawa Generals. He is currently producing numbers similar to those of Connor Brown's in his first AHL season with 22 points in 34 games. He will likely spend the rest of the season in the AHL and remain there for one more year next year before making the jump to the Buds.

2017 2nd Round Pick

Nothing can really be said here. The 2016 draft hasn't even passed yet. But hey, it's a draft pick. Can't get too many of those.

Thanks for reading.

New Logo Means Change Is In Full Force For Maple Leafs

By Alex Hobson

Being a Leafs fan was probably one of the hardest things for somebody to do over the last 30 or so years. The team could not find a way to win, and they could not find a way to win no matter how many new players, new coaches, or new management they brought in. They finally thought they had it back in 2008 when they hired Brian Burke as GM, someone who was impatient and had a true desire to win. He traded for Phil Kessel, Dion Phaneuf, Joffrey Lupul among others and thought that he had built a playoff core.

He couldn't have been more wrong.

The Leafs failed to make the playoffs each year during Burke's tenure as GM, and the Leafs didn't change their ways despite one minor playoff appearence in 2013 (of which they blew a three goal lead in the third period to Boston). Burke was fired and Dave Nonis was brought in as GM, but nothing changed. The Leafs found a way to collapse every season around February/March, so when president Brendan Shanahan was brought in, change was bound to come.

At the end of the 2014-15 season, Shanahan blew up the organization. He fired Nonis, interim head coach Peter Horachek, and over 20 scouts. He then hired highly touted coach Mike Babcock that May, and brought in management legend Lou Lamoriello to serve as GM. Meanwhile, assistant GM Kyle Dubas and director of player personnel Mark Hunter were working magic at the draft, selecting skilled forward Mitch Marner with the fourth overall pick and turning a late first round pick into two seconds and a third rounder, which seemed odd at the time but nobody was complaining when they ended up with Travis Dermott, Jeremy Bracco and Martins Dzierkals.

All in all, change was inevitable for a franchise that had failed to win a Stanley Cup in 49 years, and Shanahan knew that. Not only did they hire staff that knew more about the game and that skill over size was always a better option, but they also began to build their future team through the draft rather than through trades and signings. A culture change was needed, and it was beginning to work.

Midway through the 2015-16 season, everything was going according to plan. Their prospects such as William Nylander and Mitch Marner were developing in the AHL and CHL while veterans on one year contracts were playing for the Leafs.

Then Shanahan shocked the hockey world.

He announced that after 46 years of the current Leafs logo, they would be changing it along with the jerseys. Lots of Leafs fans were upset to hear this, many thought that it meant they would be getting rid of the Maple Leaf all around. Of course, this wasn't true. and On episode five of The Leaf, aired on TSN4 on February 2nd, 2016, the new logo was unveiled.



So now the Leafs have new faces, a new drafting style, new culture, and finally, a new logo. So what does it all mean?

It means that the Leafs finally came through with their word that there would be change. They are trying to do it the right way, and if everything goes according to plan, the Leafs could very well see a return to the face of the hockey world in the near future.

Remember when Mike Babcock said "we need to put Canada's team back on the map"?

It's all part of a process. And that process is in full force.

Tampa, Toronto, or Somewhere Else? The Curious Case of Steven Stamkos

 

If you've been following hockey over the last two years or so, then you've heard all the rumours of highly touted 2016 UFA Steven Stamkos and where he will sign at the end of the 2015-16 season. Many believe he'll sign back in Tampa Bay and win a cup with the team that officially drafted him, and some people have dreamt up scenarios that he'll sign with his hometown team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, in the offseason. It seems as though signing with either Tampa or Toronto are the two most likely scenarios, so with that, this article will be revolved around discussing the pros of signing with both teams. Without further ado, let's get into it.

TAMPA BAY

If you're Steven Stamkos at this point, you have to make a decision on whether or not you want to keep going with the team that drafted you and quarterback them to a Stanley Cup, or abandon them and head home to Toronto. Stamkos has a lot laid out on the table for him if he decides to remain in Tampa. They are without a doubt the closest team to being a model franchise, cup winning team at this point.

The Lightning have a very talented and exciting young core consisting of Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Nikita Kucherov, and Victor Hedman, all of whom are under the age of 26, and they also have a relatively young mammoth of a goalie in Ben Bishop. They've shown that they have the talent by making the Stanley Cup finals in 2015, they just lack experience, and their younger players can gain tons of that if they keep performing the way they do. He's their star player, their captain, the face of not only the franchise, but the face of hockey in the state of Florida. He's leaving a huge hole in the organization if he leaves, and that's not neccessarily a bad thing, but it's a fact. Stamkos was developed and groomed into one of the top players in the NHL by this franchise, and he might want to finish the job he was drafted to do back in 2008.

TORONTO

Now we get to the real speculation side of this case. Think back to last year when there were tons of rumours circulating on where highly touted free agent coach Mike Babcock would sign. At one point, the two most likely options were him returning to Detroit, or signing with the Buffalo Sabres. Whenever any Leafs fan dreamt up the idea of Babcock coaching the Maple Leafs, they were always laughed at. No one thought he would sign there, and look what happened. Babcock was announced as head coach in May 2015.

Now I'm not saying this exact situation is going to take place, but what is Stamkos getting himself into by joining the Maple Leafs? He has the opportunity to play for the team he grew up cheering for, to play under one of the league's best coaches, and to work with the team to compete for a Stanley Cup alongside of a future core of Morgan Rielly, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander. He really has the chance to be a game changer for his childhood team, and he also has the chance to make a ton of money through not only pay, but through endorsements as well. He really has it made for himself if he decides to leave Tampa Bay and join an up-and-coming Maple Leafs team.

WHERE DOES HE GO?

At this point, I'm not going to comment on whether or not Stamkos will join the Leafs or whether he'll stay in Tampa Bay. Anything could happen at this point and it's really hard to judge at this point. For all we know, a team like the Montreal Canadiens or the Arizona Coyotes could spring out of nowhere and snag him up on a ten year contract. Like I said, free agency isn't for another five months, so it's very hard to imagine what Stamkos will do.

Where do you think he'll end up for the 2016-17 season?

Thanks for reading.

Previewing the Leafs Prospects at the World Junior Championships

By Alex Hobson

Hey everyone. I apologize for the lack of articles as of late, my schedule has been insanely busy. However, what better way to kick off my articles again than a preview of our prospects playing at the World Junior Championships? This year, the Leafs have five prospects playing at the tournament, and all of them will be a treat to watch. They have two representing Canada, two representing Sweden, and one representing Finland. Without further ado, let's take a look at these young guns and what they bring to their respective teams.



Mitch Marner, C/RW - Team Canada

Last year, Canada was the team to watch at the tournament. They had scoring from almost every player, and duo of Arizona Coyotes forwards Max Domi and Anthony Duclair were something special to watch. Marner will likely slot into a second line right wing role on Canada this year, playing alongside of Coyotes prospect Dylan Strome and Devils prospect John Quenneville. Marner and Strome have potential to be the Domi and Duclair of last year. Though Canada isn't looking as stacked as last year, they still have a good chance at winning gold.



Travis Dermott, D - Team Canada

Dermott wasn't as much of a shoo-in to make Team Canada as Marner was, but when playing he still has the potential to be an effective defenseman. He plays a solid two way game, isn't afraid to throw the body despite his size, so he'll likely be battling with Roland McKeown and Joe Hicketts for a spot on the bottom pairing during the tournament.

 

William Nylander, C/RW - Team Sweden

Heading into this tournament, William Nylander was projected to be one of the tournament's top players. He's leading the AHL in scoring at age 19 with 33 points in 26 games and is an all around extremely skilled offensive forward. He was projected to play on the team's top line with his brother, Alex, who is a projected top ten pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, and Minnesota Wild prospect Joel Eriksson-Ek. Unfortunately, Nylander took a head shot from a Swiss forward in Sweden's first game of the tournament and he left the game. His current status is unknown.



Dmytro Timashov, LW - Team Sweden

This guy was arguably one of the biggest steals of the draft in 2015. Timashov was a fifth round pick, and he currently has 35 assists and 53 points in 29 games for the Quebec Remparts. The Ukranian-born Swede has the potential to surprise people at this tournament under a very stacked Swedish offense. He'll likely play in the middle six on the team and get powerplay time as well.



Kasperi Kapanen, RW - Team Finland

The Leafs' only prospect representing Finland, Kapanen will likely sport a veteran role in the top six and play alongside somebody by the likes of Jesse Puljujarvi or Patrik Laine, two projected top 5 picks in the 2016 NHL Draft. He has potential to be an impact player for Finland, who like Sweden have a stacked offense.

Thanks for reading, everyone. Merry Christmas.