NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from August 8-September 8. Today, the top five prospects for the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to NHL.com.
[Maple Leafs 32 in 32: Season preview | 3 Questions | Fantasy breakdown]
1. Matthew KniesF
How acquired: Selected with no. 57 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: University of Minnesota (NCAA): 33 GP, 15-18-33
Knies announced in April he’ll be returning to the University of Minnesota, a decision the Maple Leafs fully support. The 19-year-old’s ascension from second-round draft pick to point-a-game player in the NCAA was impressive enough to land him a spot representing the United States at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where he had a goal and an assist in four games. He also had three assists for the US in the 2022 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in August.
Toronto is encouraged by his combination of hustle and muscle (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) and sees him as an effective NHL power forward after continued development in college. He could make his NHL debut following the end of Minnesota’s season.
“We want him to dominate every time he steps on the ice,” said Hayley Wickenheiser, the Maple Leafs assistant general manager of player development. “Physically, he is very imposing. He has a great shot. He needs to continue to work on his skating and mobility.”
Projected NHL arrival: This season
2. Nicholas RobertsonF
How acquired: Selected with no. 53 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Toronto (AHL): 28 GP, 16-12-28; Toronto (NHL): 10 GP, 1-0-1
The 20-year-old’s 2021-22 season was derailed early when he sustained a non-displaced fracture of his right fibula in the second game of the AHL season and was out for four months. What gives Maple Leafs management reason for optimism was the point-per-game pace he put together in the AHL upon his return. The 5-10, 177-pounder scored 55 goals in 46 games in his final year with Peterborough of the Ontario Hockey League in 2019-20 and will be looked upon to provide offense in the NHL this season.
“I thought within his game, he always had his strong attributes,” Toronto AHL coach Greg Moore said. “One thing he really elevated was his shot selection and choosing when and where to shoot the puck.”
Projected NHL arrival: This season
Video: VAN@TOR: Robertson fires home a Nylander feed on rush
3. Topi NiemelaD
How acquired: Selected with no. 64 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Karpat (Liiga): 48 GP, 10-22-32
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 20-year-old, under contract with Karpat in Finland’s top professional league for another year, had six assists in seven games for Finland at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship and was voted the top defenseman at the 2021 World Juniors.
“We want to see him elevate his game and really take control from the blue line,” Wickenheiser said, “and that’s from a defensive standpoint as well in terms of being able to play two ways and be that outstanding defenseman that he was last year.” ”
Projected NHL arrival: 2023-24
4. Roni HirvonenC
How acquired: Selected with no. 59 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: HIFK (Liiga): 46 GP, 9-17-26
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. 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.
“On the ice and off the ice, he wants to know what the best are doing and how they’re achieving their fitness standards, for example,” Wickenheiser said, “and he really has a plan for himself of where he wants to see himself go. Certainly, in the next one or two seasons, we want to see him make a jump.”
Projected NHL arrival: 2023-24
5. Pontus HolmbergF
How acquired: Selected with no. 159 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Vaxjo (SHL): 46 GP, 11-30-41; Toronto (AHL): 6 GP, 2-2-4
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. The playmaking center, who was the MVP of the SHL Playoffs in 2021 with 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 14 games, joined Toronto of the AHL at the end of the 2021-22 season and had four points (two goals, two assists) in six games, impressing Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas in the process.
“He played exceptionally well for them,” Dubas said of Holmberg’s brief AHL stint. “We feel he’ll challenge for the roster here.”
Projected NHL arrival: 2023-24
.