And I feel at home there. Hes a guy that is really driven. Roni Hirvonen is a 2020 second-round pick. They all look up to him but heres this kid who got drafted in the second round by Toronto, Sandland said, quietly laughing to himself. Niemela produced at over a point-per-game pace with two goals and six assists in seven games at the 2021 World Juniors and was named the top defenseman for the tournament. One of the most fun parts about watching the World Juniors, aside from supporting your home country, is paying attention to the performance of your favourite teams prospects. If Toronto wants to bank on one of their prospects becoming a star offensive defenceman one day in the NHL, Niemels resume makes him look like the best bet. They selected him with the #64th overall pick. Usually, a GM will only do that if theres a specific prospect they want, and evidently, they got their guy in this case. With his strong rookie season, and with a bit of a growth spurt that pushed him to 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds in his draft year, Minten did emerge, however, as a B-rated prospect (which indicates a second/third round candidate) when NHL Central Scouting released its players to watch list for the 2022 NHL Draft. Of the four Toronto Maple Leafs prospects that did get selected, there will be three countries represented. ET followed by USA taking on Germany at 10 p.m. Go Premium for Elite Prospects Support. The 20-year-old is under contract with HIFK in Finland's top professional league but it's still undetermined whether he'll return this season. In May, the Maple Leafs signed Hirvonen to a three-year, entry-level contract, which begins this upcoming season. 2021-22 stats: 18 GP, 7 G, 9 A, 16 PTS Updated hourly, with analysis, commentary and features from hundreds writers worldwide, our articles are read over 5 million times every month. (stats from Eliteprospects.com).

While a majority of Maple Leafs fans will likely cheer on Team Canada, there will be three other prospects representing two other nations to keep an eye on. Hes likely going to spend at least the next year or two in Finland, but having signed his entry-level contract two months ago, Id have to imagine the Maple Leafs will be looking to get him over to North America sooner rather than later. ", How acquired: Selected with No. As often happens with the linemates of star players, Minten was perceived to be riding shotgun to be less than his points. Expect him to slot right back into his role on Finlands top line and improve on last years tournament. 59 pick in 2020 NHL Draft, 2021-22 season: HIFK (Liiga): 46 GP, 9-17-26. It wasnt until after the COVID-19-shortened pandemic season that Minten began to build some cache of his own.

I would expect him to have a better shot this season, and at minimum, get more than three games at the NHL level. Fast forward a year, and Knies easily looks like he could have been a first-round pick. Nick Moldenhauer is another long shot to make Team Canada, but he is leading the USHL in goals and is second in points right now with 10 goals and 18 points in 13 games. The Toronto Maple Leafs will be sending three of their prospects to the 2022 World Juniors. This year, on a loaded Blazers team that had seven drafted forward prospects by years end, plus a top draft eligible in 2023 prospect Connor Levis, Minten finished third on the team in goals per . The Toronto Maple Leafs have a few prospects eligible to play in the 2023 World Junior Championships which will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick starting on December 26th, 2022. Receive direct access to our top content, contests and perks. Knies, Niemela, and Robertson all look like they could become regular NHLers someday, and the rest of the prospects I listed certainly dont lack potential. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. On Saturday, March 26th, the Maple Leafs announced that the team signed prospect Nick . In that rookie season in the hub, Clouston said that though Minten wasnt a penalty killer in games (16-year-olds almost never are), they would use him as one in practice because some of the actual penalty killers were also on the power play. He led the Tigers in scoring with 76 points, including 35 goals, in 63 games last year, and has four goals and 10 assists in nine games this season. "Where we want to get to, I've got a responsibility to that group here to help them get to the level we are trying to attain," Treliving said. Oilers News & Rumors: Kulak, Kane, Campbell, Keith, Brown, Deslauriers, 2022-23 Projections for the 4 Oilers Who Received Qualifying Offers, 5 Former Maple Leafs Who Could Join Kyle Dubas in Pittsburgh, How Canadiens Will Spend Their Cap Space for 2023-24, Darryl Sittler Toronto Maple Leafs Legend, Colorado Avalanche Franchise Jersey History, Zachary Nehring 2023 NHL Draft Prospect Profile, Devils Roster Will Look Very Different Next Season, 2023 Memorial Cup: 4 Takeaways From Seattles Win Over Petes, Canadians Prospect Owen Beck Recaps His Wirlwinded Season, Oilers Take Chance On Prospect Jayden Grubbe, Four Former Ducks Set to Clash in the Stanley Cup Final, Devils Dont Need to Give Up Assets for a Goalie, Matthew Mania 2023 NHL Draft Prospect Profile, Swedish-Born Players With the Most Stanley Cups, Rangers Paying Price for Failed Top-10 Picks in 2017 & 2018, Blackhawks Should Play Connor Bedard With Tyler Johnson. The Leafs have typically not contributed a great deal of Canadian prospects, largely because they havent drafted that many, and prospect-rich Canada tends to draw from first-round picks. For those players that have not been drafted yet, playing well at a tournament such as this can do wonders for their draft position.

Hes working on his defence. ", [RELATED:Treliving hired as Maple Leafs GM |Signing Matthews top of list for new GM]. After rosters were finalized this week, a trio of Leafs draft picks have been selected represent their countries at the 10-team tournament to determine the best U20 IIHF team. TORONTO -- Brad Treliving said he wants to "get to know" Sheldon Keefe before determining whether the coach will remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 2023-24 season. Its unbelievable. Mintens injury to start the season might slightly hamper his chances at making the team, but he has 3 goals and 11 points in 7 WHL games since returning. What they may not have known, however, is that COVID plus other factors derailed the start of his 2021-22 season. Its everything.. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. NHL 2023. Its good for me to get lots of space and time, and when I have time and space I think I think the game well enough to find and use seams and lanes to get the puck through or make a play.. "There's been a change and he's in a unique situation, but that's the business.

His performance was good enough to earn him defenseman of the tournament honours, and he was a huge factor for the bronze medal-winning Finns. "We want him to dominate every time he steps on the ice," said Hayley Wickenheiser, the Maple Leafs assistant general manager of player development. Minten is also the teams fifth-youngest player, Hes a guy that sort of has a real good sense of the pulse of the team, Clouston explains. Here, Rasmus Sandin starts the breakout on the powerplay and it leads to a nice chance for the Leafs 2018 6th round pick Pontus Holmberg. Last year, the Toronto Maple Leafs saw prospects Matthew Knies suit up for Team USA and Roni Hirvonen and Topi Niemela play for Finland. While three players isnt a lot, rest assured the Maple Leafs representation is going to be heard throughout the tournament. He also had a strong 2021 World Junior tournament, finishing with six points in seven games and scoring the game-winning goal in the quarter-final against Sweden.

10 months ago. Newspapers Limited, 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. As for his ceiling, I see him as a future top-four defenseman with power play and penalty kill abilities. Kevin Papetti - Dec 14, 2020 Advertisement The World Junior Hockey Championships have been a staple of the holiday season for decades. When Treliving took over as GM of the Calgary Flames on Apr. But he has had a good start in the KHL with Ufa-based Salavat Yulaev (five goals, three assists). Lilley says: Our expectations for him is were hoping he has a prominent role in the Russian team. On a visit down to the teams bench during one of the Blazers practices shortly after that return run-in at the teams rink, the Sandman Centre, it was Minten, the hotshot top selection of the Leafs in the draft just months earlier, who he found giving nicknames to camp invitees, high-fiving the rookies, and enthusiastically yelling Good shift, great shift! whenever someone arrived at the bench. Drafted: 2021, 2nd round, 57th overall. Like his good friend Niemela, he's not the biggest player (5-9, 164) but has good leadership qualities and served as Finland's captain at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, where he had seven points (three goals, four assists) in seven games. This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. NHL 2023. And its all of that not any one thing that defines Mintens game. He had a strong showing at training camp prior to the 2021-22 season, and while he didnt make the team out of camp, he wasted no time making a case to be the first player up in the event of an injury. Today, the top five prospects for the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to NHL.com. Hes a big part of our power play and hes one of our top penalty killers most nights. It's led by world class players. "I thought within his game, he always had his strong attributes," Toronto AHL coach Greg Moore said. To order copies of My rankings are based on multiple factors including age, recent production, and overall potential. My outside lens of Sheldon, I look at a team the last two years as a full-time coach, 115 points and 111 points, I think he's a really good coach. The Leafs, in recent year, have drawn from all over the globe when drafting players, unafraid as some teams are of drafting Russians. He finished the season with 57 points in 65 games along with 16 points in 17 playoff games. And despite not making Team Canada, the fact that he was even considered to make the team considering where he was drafted should be seen as a positive sign. At his first World Juniors in 2021, Hirvonen scored two goals and added four assists in seven games and helped the national team win a bronze medal at the tournament. Matthew Knies, F How. Nick Abruzzese is another prospect who jumped up the depth chart much quicker than people may have anticipated. 2022 World Junior Championship Team Canada Final Roster, 2022 World Junior Championship Team Finland Final Roster, Maple Leafs News & Rumors: OReilly, Knies, Rielly & Acciari, Battle of Maple Leafs Pests: Michael Bunting vs. Nazem Kadri, 7 Thoughts About the Maple Leafs 7-2 Game 2 Win, Maple Leafs Knies Steps Up in Wake of Bunting Suspension, Maple Leafs Respond With Convincing Game 2 Win Over Lightning, Capitals Ties With Russia Run Deeper Than Ovechkin, Kings Have Several Options to Replace Edler, Oilers News & Rumors: McDavid, Draisaitl, Plans for Game 4, 3 Early Candidates to Fill Blue Jackets Head Coaching Vacancy, 4 Takeaways From Islanders 5-2 Loss vs Hurricanes, Forgotten Lightning Stanley Cup Champions: Cedric Paquette, 3 Rangers Predictions for the Rest of the Series vs. the Devils, 3 Bruins Standing Out in 1st Round of Playoffs, Remembering What Made Mario Lemieux the Greatest, Panthers Alex Lyon Deserves a Roster Spot Next Season, 3 Keys to Winnipeg Jets Success in Game 4, Lightning Need Vasilevskiy to Be Better to Salvage Series. The one aspect of his game that Steeves has going for him more than other prospects is his speed.

Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. Coming up, when Minten played at the West Van Academy, one teammate in particular got all the attention: Connor Bedard. But on top of the tenacity and physical play Hyman has, Knies also has a very good shot. Niemela is still far enough out of an NHL job that I dont feel comfortable ranking him as the top prospect in this organization, but its safe to say that his step forward in 2021-22 increased his chances at a role with this team down the road. With the process we go through, we compile lists, and we have had lots and lots of Canadians on our lists, but the way the lists go, we just havent had those guys in the spots where we were picking, said Lilley, a Leafs scout since 2006. Though it spilled into October and cost him the start of his post-draft season with Kamloops, he felt he had a good start to the year and came back more confident than hed ever been. After seeing a considerable amount of time on Finlands top line along with Florida Panthers prospect Anton Lundell and Los Angeles Kings prospect Kasper Simontaival, Hirvonen will return to represent Finland one final time at this years festivities. The dynamic, two-way center scored a goal for Finland in the two games they played before the tournament was put on hold. He spent most of the season in a sheltered role, starting as a third-line centre for the club and eventually working his way up to the second-line centre role with some occasional reps on the first line. Who do you agree and disagree with? He could make his NHL debut following the end of Minnesota's season. Last added: Gustaf Lindstedt. Some teams, such as the Carolina Hurricanes, had as many as ten prospects sent to selection camps. We look forward to seeing him in this tournament. "I think Sheldon has done a lot of really, really good team things," Treliving said Thursday, when he was introduced as general manager of the Maple Leafs. Alan Millar calls Ryan Tverberg (TOR) one of the two most improved players in the Hockey Canada program during the evaluation process this year. 64 pick in 2020 NHL Draft, 2021-22 season: Karpat (Liiga): 48 GP, 10-22-32. After exchanging hey, how are you(s)? Sandland asked Minten, whod just spent most of his summer and early fall in Toronto rehabbing a wrist injury, How was it?. He was far and away the fastest player on the Marlies, and he didnt look out of place in his few games with the Maple Leafs. Hirvonen has had a great season to date with HIFK of Finlands SM-Liiga, with 18 points through 26 games thus far. Republication or distribution of this content is Our expectations for him are to make a little bit of a jump. What do you think of my list? The Pittsburgh Penguins have hired former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas as their new president of hockey operations. MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JULY 08: Fraser Minten is selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs during Round Two of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bell Centre on July 08, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Drafted: 2020, 3rd round, 64th overall. Toronto Maple Leafs Sign up for premium. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. While no Maple Leafs prospects will be representing Team Canada this year, they will have some representation in North America. Here is a look at Toronto's most recent prospects news. He has the tools to be a top-six winger at the NHL level, but with the right development, I could definitely see him assuming a role on the left side of the top line someday.

The World Juniors kicks off on Boxing Day in Edmonton and Red Deer, with Canadas first game against the Czech Republic on December 26. Like hes so good 200 feet. Despite only having three prospects at the World Juniors this year, all three players I mentioned will be worth keeping an eye on as the tournament gets underway in Edmonton and Red Deer. Position: C His game isnt even about points, Sandland said. Ive been a fan of Pontus Holmberg ever since the year after they drafted him, and now it seems were going to see what hes truly made of, as he has steadily gotten better each year since the Maple Leafs drafted him. Hes good defensively. Knies is projected to play a top-six forward role, while also getting some action in on the teams second power play unit this week, per Corey Pronman. Expect him to be one of the first people up when the Maple Leafs look to the AHL for call-ups in 2022-23. Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. Niemela will be defending his title as the top defenseman from last years tournament. Kokkonen has been regular on Finlands national junior teams since he was 15, playing above his age bracket and appearing in the world juniors last year at 18. A resident of the Midtown Toronto area, David has spent the last 16 years working as a reporter and editor in various roles in sports media. "I think . He factors into our offence for sure. Lilley says: Its a 19-year-olds tournament. 5 Toronto Maple Leafs Players to Watch at NHL Prospect Tournament. But Minten had to earn that status, a status he now shies away from, through a slow, steady climb. Knies had three points in five games. Hes the kid who didnt make any of Canadas three teams for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (I dont know how, Sandland said) and wasnt invited to Canadas under-18 camp in Calgary. All rights reserved. Were excited for him. Why the Maple Leafs Dont Need to Force a Trade to Become Salary Cap Compliant, Calle Jarnkroks Contract Signals Return of Maple Leafs Pre-Pandemic Salary Cap Strategy, Its Way Too Early to Worry About Auston Matthews Future with the Maple Leafs. by Mike Zeisberger, Stanley Cup Final | Golden Knights vs. Panthers. Here is a look at each of those four prospects. Tverberg is a dual citizen, and many thought he had a better shot of making the Team USA roster than he did the Team Canada one. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. It's hard to get talent. With Seattle Kraken prospect Matthew Beniers and Calgary Flames prospect Matthew Coronato set to lead the charge for the States, Knies has an opportunity to step into a big secondary role for the United States. Finland goes up against Latvia at 6 p.m. Hes got really good offensive instincts., Drafted: 2020 (fourth round, 106th overall). Matthew Knies (TOR) ties the game with a wicked snipe with nine seconds left in the third period. #Leafs #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/gisjWtAa2Q. Niemela, who plays for Oulun Karpat of Finlands SM-Liiga, is currently seventh in league scoring with 24 points in 30 games. The 2023 World Junior Championship begins today with four games: Finland/Switzerland, Sweden/Austria, Latvia/USA, and Czechia/Canada. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Last season, Holmberg took yet another step in the SHL, finishing the 2021-22 campaign with 41 points in 46 games, good for second on his team in scoring. as hes suffered injuries each year hes been directly in the Maple Leafs system, which has likely prevented him from getting some more looks in the NHL. 28 on NHL Central Scoutings final ranking of North American skaters in advance of the Leafs taking him in the second round in Montreal. Drafted by the Maple Leafs in the second round (57th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Phoenix native will bereturning to the University of Minnesota upon completion of the tournament. Nothing against him as a player, but Canada chose him over some other more suitable players. Oh, you know, it was great, Minten answered. Leading the OHL in goals per game might be enough to at least get him a look. 2021-22 stats: 31GP, 6 G, 18 A, 24 PTS rights reserved. The 23-year-old, entering the final year of his entry level contract, was loaned to Vaxjo of Sweden's top professional league last season and responded by averaging almost a point per game. Guide to the 2022 World Junior Championship, 2022 World Juniors Schedule, Groups, Rosters, Predictions & More, Predictions for the 2022 World Junior Championship, 2022 World Juniors: 2023 Draft-Eligible Players to Watch, 6 Predictions for the 2022 World Junior Championship. He struggled early on but finished the season strong with 29 points in his final 23 games. KAMLOOPS, B.C. Then, Dubas traded down in the third round and acquired a fifth-round pick in the process, and also traded a fourth-round pick next season in exchange for a fourth-round pick in this class. Hes incredible. We create the lists without any biases toward country or nationality. Hes 18 but I think he should be another guy that plays a pretty prominent role on their team. He will likely be wearing the C for the Finns and will have a bigger role than he did last season, so hell be worth keeping an eye on at the tournament for sure, especially considering hes likely still a year or two away from coming to North America. Maple Leafs prospects at the world juniors: Who to watch and what to expect - The Athletic Maple Leafs prospects at the world juniors: Who to watch and what to expect By Joshua Kloke. Toronto will have prospects representing Team Canada, Team USA, and Team Finland at this years World Junior Championship. Roni Hirvonens last-minute heroics send through to the #WorldJuniors semifinals pic.twitter.com/aRRyzAtZJt Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 2, 2021, Roni Hirvonens last-minute heroics send through to the #WorldJuniors semifinals pic.twitter.com/aRRyzAtZJt. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images). Latest Leafs Prospects Matthew Knies signs with the Maple Leafs: Breaking down the background, the player, and the NHL projection Alex Drain - Apr 10, 2023 Leafs Prospects Joseph Woll. Niemela (5-11, 156) was viewed as a defensive defenseman when he was drafted by the Maple Leafs but has developed into a promising offensive force in his subsequent two seasons. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2023. Maple Leafs Acquire Matt Murray & Draft Picks For Future Considerations, Maple Leafs Commentary: Matt Murray, Goalie Solution or Mrazek Mistake. Hes so reliable and his hockey IQ is off the charts. pic.twitter.com/bCoU1uzP6e. Kressler may be a long shot to join Team Canada, but hes had a hot start with 8 goals and 12 points in 8 OHL games after starting the season hurt. Welcome to NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey League, Bienvenue LNH.com , le site officiel de la Ligue nationale de hockey, Tervetuloa NHL:n viralliselle nettisivustolle NHL.comiin, Vlkommen till NHL.com, NHL:s officiella web-sida, Vtejte na NHL.com, oficilnch strnkch National Hockey League, Vitajte na NHL.com, oficilnych strnkach National Hockey League, Willkommen auf NHL.com, der offiziellen Seite der National Hockey League, Bienvenido a NHL.com, el sitio oficial de la National Hockey League. As for his ceiling, I see him in a similar position to that of Steeves. close. Six is a fairly impressive number.

Get a bit more ice time than he did last year, and take on a leadership role. He also had three assists for the U.S. in the 2022 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in August. Updated hourly, with analysis, commentary and features from hundreds writers worldwide, our articles are read over 5 million times every month. He has an offensive game, yet he doesnt give up a lot of defensively., Drafted: 2019 (fourth round, 115th overall). Knies has been taking reps on Team USAs second line alongside 2022 draft eligible prospect Logan Cooley and Florida Panthers prospect Mackie Samoskevich. Tverberg getting chosen by Team Canada for the 2022 World Junior Championship was a bit of a surprise.

The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2023. to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about The Toronto Maple Leafs have six prospects at the 2021 World Junior Championships in Edmonton. Though Minten registered 15 goals and 65 points in just 29 games in his WHL bantam draft year, Bedard scored 64 goals and 88 points in those games. The Richmond Hill native just completed his first full season for the University of Connecticut, finishing with 14 goals and 32 points in 36 games. 4-4. He finds ways to get better. It has been something that he has focussed on. As good as Akhtyamov has been in the KHL and two lower leagues, hes not expected to get much ice time in the tournament with teammate Yaroslav Askarov seen as the next big thing in goaltending.

Australia's Cheapest Weddings Allie And Ben Where Are They Now, South Melbourne Football Club Past Players List, Tiramisu Recipe James Martin, Hillcrest High School Football, Articles T