Highlander
Active member
Nice thing is that he has plenty of runway to develop!herman said:
Ranking Prospects 2024-25
- Thread starter herman
- Start date
herman
Well-known member
PPP: 12: Artur Akhtyamov
He's our shortest goalie prospect, but I kind of think he's the most positionally sound (outside of Joseph Woll, who now no longer qualifies as a prospect). Brian Stewart notes that he is very butterfly-focused and tends to play the percentages more than most these days, which might bode well as shooters have come around to targeting low shots/five-hole as the goalies have trended towards hybrid stand-up save selections recently.
https://twitter.com/JhanHky/status/1827508309420577131
TLN: 6. Nikita Grebyonkin
This was a good listen for Nikita Grebyonkin enjoyers who also cannot watch KHL games (most of us?). A year after winning Rookie of the Year last season, he became an offensive focal point for his team late in the season and through the first round of the playoffs before suffering a lower back injury that relegated him to minimal minutes (and subsequent production).
https://twitter.com/Kyle_Cush/status/1827039697014579471
He's our shortest goalie prospect, but I kind of think he's the most positionally sound (outside of Joseph Woll, who now no longer qualifies as a prospect). Brian Stewart notes that he is very butterfly-focused and tends to play the percentages more than most these days, which might bode well as shooters have come around to targeting low shots/five-hole as the goalies have trended towards hybrid stand-up save selections recently.
https://twitter.com/JhanHky/status/1827508309420577131
TLN: 6. Nikita Grebyonkin
This was a good listen for Nikita Grebyonkin enjoyers who also cannot watch KHL games (most of us?). A year after winning Rookie of the Year last season, he became an offensive focal point for his team late in the season and through the first round of the playoffs before suffering a lower back injury that relegated him to minimal minutes (and subsequent production).
https://twitter.com/Kyle_Cush/status/1827039697014579471
OldTimeHockey
Active member
Grebyonkin looks very intriguing. His skating seems a bit awkward(not sure that is right term). He appears to be aggressive and not afraid to drive the net. He'll be one to keep an eye on. He also seems to see the ice very well.
herman
Well-known member
PPP: 11. Roni Hirvonen
Hope his brain?s (and eye?s) better these days! What he lacks in size and speed, Hirvonen makes up for with gumption and clutchness. Not sure that?ll be enough to make the big show, but he is fun to watch. He was hampered with injuries last season but the path is a bit more clear on the Marlies now without Ellis and Robertson.
TLN: 5. Topi Niemela
Oh hey it?s these two together (again)
Topi was recently dethroned as the top RD prospect, but he still carries pretty much all the offensive potential on the blueline in the prospect pipeline.
Hope his brain?s (and eye?s) better these days! What he lacks in size and speed, Hirvonen makes up for with gumption and clutchness. Not sure that?ll be enough to make the big show, but he is fun to watch. He was hampered with injuries last season but the path is a bit more clear on the Marlies now without Ellis and Robertson.
TLN: 5. Topi Niemela
Oh hey it?s these two together (again)
Topi was recently dethroned as the top RD prospect, but he still carries pretty much all the offensive potential on the blueline in the prospect pipeline.
https://twitter.com/coreypronman/status/1828411325669589416
In Corey Pronman's annual NHL Pipeline Rankings the Leafs have jumped from 27 last year all the way up to 22nd.
His top-5 went: 1) Knies (still technically eligible as this is just U23, 2) Cowan, 3) Minten, 4) Danford, 5) Grebenkin
No Robertson as he just barely misses the U23 by Sept. 15th cut-off
In Corey Pronman's annual NHL Pipeline Rankings the Leafs have jumped from 27 last year all the way up to 22nd.
His top-5 went: 1) Knies (still technically eligible as this is just U23, 2) Cowan, 3) Minten, 4) Danford, 5) Grebenkin
No Robertson as he just barely misses the U23 by Sept. 15th cut-off
herman
Well-known member
CarltonTheBear said:
Is Pronman lurking hereherman said:
Edit: it's not very in-depth (because Pronman is dealing with a very, very large pool of players), so the write ups look like previous profiles with cursory touch ups given new data. I have no idea what to make of the category scores per player.
herman
Well-known member
PPP: 10. Noah Chadwick
Haha, speaking of Noah Chadwick... Is this the first 6th rounder PPP has voted into the top 10?
He's a really smart two-way defenseman who also happens to be 6'4". The only knock really is his skating, which hopefully can be improved so his body can match what his brain wants to do.
https://twitter.com/Kyle_Cush/status/1828497392808702399
The article is a splash of cold water on the hype, but it has many fair points (about all his points). There's a frame for something exciting, but it still needs to be filled out quite a bit, with a decent bit of runway to do so.
Edit: Chadwick has been named the captain of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
TLN: 4. Ben Danford
I guess TLN wants to finish their rundown this week. Picked most recently at the tail end of the first round this summer, Ben Danford immediately leapfrogged into the top of the defense prospect pipeline by virtue of being actually good at defense. On top of that, he has the mobility, size, and strength to probably survive in the NHL today; that would be disastrous for his development though. Freshly signed to a 3-year ELC with a 2-year slide window, expect to see Danford continue to anchor a strong Oshawa Generals squad and start to layer on more offense to his game (attacking off-puck) to go with his Chris Tanev-ian skillset.
https://twitter.com/Kyle_Cush/status/1820444814883561888
3. Dennis Hildeby
I think he is the Next One (Woll tandem?), barring any weird transactions that net us a bonafide starter. He has the size, the athleticism, the mentality, and the mechanics of a legit goalie. Just need to add on some experience in the NHL rink/playstyle. He was a D+2 overager (final year of eligibility) when we drafted him, so he's approaching the point where he'll push for backup duties in short order. The plan appears to be Hildeby getting the lionshare of the Marlies starts, backed up by Matt Murray + a spare free agent; I expect the Russian duo will tandem Cincinnati to support one another and push their dev pace with plenty of ice time.
https://twitter.com/Kyle_Cush/status/1821926447885275228
I'm spamming all these Kyle Cushman podcasts because they're very good rundowns of the player's development so far, in the context of the Leafs' forward path, and features excellent guests who know these players best.
Haha, speaking of Noah Chadwick... Is this the first 6th rounder PPP has voted into the top 10?
He's a really smart two-way defenseman who also happens to be 6'4". The only knock really is his skating, which hopefully can be improved so his body can match what his brain wants to do.
https://twitter.com/Kyle_Cush/status/1828497392808702399
The article is a splash of cold water on the hype, but it has many fair points (about all his points). There's a frame for something exciting, but it still needs to be filled out quite a bit, with a decent bit of runway to do so.
Edit: Chadwick has been named the captain of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
TLN: 4. Ben Danford
I guess TLN wants to finish their rundown this week. Picked most recently at the tail end of the first round this summer, Ben Danford immediately leapfrogged into the top of the defense prospect pipeline by virtue of being actually good at defense. On top of that, he has the mobility, size, and strength to probably survive in the NHL today; that would be disastrous for his development though. Freshly signed to a 3-year ELC with a 2-year slide window, expect to see Danford continue to anchor a strong Oshawa Generals squad and start to layer on more offense to his game (attacking off-puck) to go with his Chris Tanev-ian skillset.
https://twitter.com/Kyle_Cush/status/1820444814883561888
3. Dennis Hildeby
I think he is the Next One (Woll tandem?), barring any weird transactions that net us a bonafide starter. He has the size, the athleticism, the mentality, and the mechanics of a legit goalie. Just need to add on some experience in the NHL rink/playstyle. He was a D+2 overager (final year of eligibility) when we drafted him, so he's approaching the point where he'll push for backup duties in short order. The plan appears to be Hildeby getting the lionshare of the Marlies starts, backed up by Matt Murray + a spare free agent; I expect the Russian duo will tandem Cincinnati to support one another and push their dev pace with plenty of ice time.
https://twitter.com/Kyle_Cush/status/1821926447885275228
I'm spamming all these Kyle Cushman podcasts because they're very good rundowns of the player's development so far, in the context of the Leafs' forward path, and features excellent guests who know these players best.
herman
Well-known member
PPP: 9. Miroslav Holinka
Pretty big entry for a newly drafted prospect outside of the 3rd round (2024 5th round), but he has received glowing accolades from Dr. Wickenheiser and the amateur scouting team and public scouting people with an eye on the Czech league. Now he'll be jumping overseas to the WHL and should get better acclimated to the NA playstyle. Always down to have more right shot centres in the system (probably going to be a winger if he makes it though).
TLN: 2. Fraser Minten
Minten has accomplished just about everything you could hope for him in junior, other than a championship. Captained his hometown team, traded for a boatload of assets to a Memorial Cup run and drove secondary offense for a new team, captained a somewhat surprising (albeit disappointing) World Junior team, and generally improved on his asset base in steady fashion. That said, his surprising start last season on the NHL roster revealed plenty he will need to work on: namely game speed. In order for him to be his coach's-favourite reliable self out there, he'll need some time to adjust to the pace of play and dictate the puck flow, rather than always having to react to it. He should start as 2C on the Marlies and get plenty of opportunities to put his brain to work against stronger competition.
Pretty big entry for a newly drafted prospect outside of the 3rd round (2024 5th round), but he has received glowing accolades from Dr. Wickenheiser and the amateur scouting team and public scouting people with an eye on the Czech league. Now he'll be jumping overseas to the WHL and should get better acclimated to the NA playstyle. Always down to have more right shot centres in the system (probably going to be a winger if he makes it though).
TLN: 2. Fraser Minten
Minten has accomplished just about everything you could hope for him in junior, other than a championship. Captained his hometown team, traded for a boatload of assets to a Memorial Cup run and drove secondary offense for a new team, captained a somewhat surprising (albeit disappointing) World Junior team, and generally improved on his asset base in steady fashion. That said, his surprising start last season on the NHL roster revealed plenty he will need to work on: namely game speed. In order for him to be his coach's-favourite reliable self out there, he'll need some time to adjust to the pace of play and dictate the puck flow, rather than always having to react to it. He should start as 2C on the Marlies and get plenty of opportunities to put his brain to work against stronger competition.
herman
Well-known member
PPP: 8. Topi Niemela
I?ve liked Topi as a prospect since before his draft actually happened, but he has started to brush up against that wall that seems to hit defensemen in the developmental pipeline where potential starts to winnow down to reality. It?s a big upcoming season for Topi and whether he can become a go-to two-way player with his plateaued physical growth. Can he get his defensive play in North American ice to the requisite level where a coach gives him the leash to to play his offensive play driving? He has the highest offensive ceiling from the blueline (on the right-side to boot), but his floor might kibosh his NHL prospects.
TLN: 1. Easton Cowan
My reaction to Cowan?s draft was the Guardians of the Galaxy reaction meme: Who? Safe to say, we all know who he is now, and it?s pretty clear he is too good for the OHL where there are only bad habits left to grow (too-long shifts, too-easy puck possession). He needs to face players that can truly take away this time and space and test his mettle and I think he is up for the task (also suppress his ELC year ?1? stats for future contract reasons). The Leafs have a need for LW/C and I am confident he can do third line duties this season.
I?ve liked Topi as a prospect since before his draft actually happened, but he has started to brush up against that wall that seems to hit defensemen in the developmental pipeline where potential starts to winnow down to reality. It?s a big upcoming season for Topi and whether he can become a go-to two-way player with his plateaued physical growth. Can he get his defensive play in North American ice to the requisite level where a coach gives him the leash to to play his offensive play driving? He has the highest offensive ceiling from the blueline (on the right-side to boot), but his floor might kibosh his NHL prospects.
TLN: 1. Easton Cowan
My reaction to Cowan?s draft was the Guardians of the Galaxy reaction meme: Who? Safe to say, we all know who he is now, and it?s pretty clear he is too good for the OHL where there are only bad habits left to grow (too-long shifts, too-easy puck possession). He needs to face players that can truly take away this time and space and test his mettle and I think he is up for the task (also suppress his ELC year ?1? stats for future contract reasons). The Leafs have a need for LW/C and I am confident he can do third line duties this season.
herman
Well-known member
PPP: 7. Dennis Hildeby
Every cycle of prospects I pick a favourite from each position. Sight unseen, I picked Hildeby as my Goalie to hitch my wagon to and he has rewarded me (us!) with steady, reliable growth in his game, and performance numbers to cement his position as next actual call up. Imagine having Freddie Andersen on his upswing prime years, but Swedish.
Every cycle of prospects I pick a favourite from each position. Sight unseen, I picked Hildeby as my Goalie to hitch my wagon to and he has rewarded me (us!) with steady, reliable growth in his game, and performance numbers to cement his position as next actual call up. Imagine having Freddie Andersen on his upswing prime years, but Swedish.
herman
Well-known member
PPP: 6. Nikita Grebyonkin
The vibe I'm getting from his scouting report is similar to Ilya Mikheyev in that he is big and rangy and constantly improving the condition of the puck, but -speed +puck skills and playmaking. He'll need time to adjust to the smaller ice and the significantly less decision-making time and space that comes with the change, but he otherwise has the tools to do damage as a complementary winger with size (and snarl). His skating improved from his draft season, but further improvement would simply get him more puck touches and thus drive production.
[youtube]dvzCZ9qKH0I[/youtube]
The vibe I'm getting from his scouting report is similar to Ilya Mikheyev in that he is big and rangy and constantly improving the condition of the puck, but -speed +puck skills and playmaking. He'll need time to adjust to the smaller ice and the significantly less decision-making time and space that comes with the change, but he otherwise has the tools to do damage as a complementary winger with size (and snarl). His skating improved from his draft season, but further improvement would simply get him more puck touches and thus drive production.
[youtube]dvzCZ9qKH0I[/youtube]
herman
Well-known member
PPP: 5. Ben Danford
Might be an indictment on the prospect pipeline that the most recent (late) first round pick was a defensive defenseman and he catapulted to the top 5 immediately. There's a bit of a perfect storm in the blueline list running fallow and the NHL roster looking old and rickety that elevates Danford psychologically. No shade to him though, as Danford looks like he could be Chris Tanev with better puck skills (right handed Jake Muzzin, pretty please?).
[youtube]nqPI9kOtkwY[/youtube]
Might be an indictment on the prospect pipeline that the most recent (late) first round pick was a defensive defenseman and he catapulted to the top 5 immediately. There's a bit of a perfect storm in the blueline list running fallow and the NHL roster looking old and rickety that elevates Danford psychologically. No shade to him though, as Danford looks like he could be Chris Tanev with better puck skills (right handed Jake Muzzin, pretty please?).
[youtube]nqPI9kOtkwY[/youtube]
herman
Well-known member
PPP: 4. Nick Robertson
Jumping into the top 5 almost by default, and trying to jump completely off the list is Nick Robertson who was one of my fun players to watch as a junior. Now, I'm just frustrated by the course he has elected to take in pushing for an unearned top-6+PP role that he probably has a lot of opportunity to earn here. If he won't even play a bit of ball for part of year, then he is sewering his own value.
The shot remains NHL dangerous (almost never cleanly saved by a goalie), the speed and hustle are a bit above average, but the off-puck play and the board work makes it hard for him to get top-6 minutes (sort of because the Leafs' top-6 RWs are already the finesse niche of the line and coaches want to balance with brawn that Robertson does not have).
https://twitter.com/OverDrive1050/status/1831835066538062118
Pat Brisson is not an idiot, so... this is all on Robertson.
https://x.com/frankcorrado22/status/1832144347854225579
Jumping into the top 5 almost by default, and trying to jump completely off the list is Nick Robertson who was one of my fun players to watch as a junior. Now, I'm just frustrated by the course he has elected to take in pushing for an unearned top-6+PP role that he probably has a lot of opportunity to earn here. If he won't even play a bit of ball for part of year, then he is sewering his own value.
The shot remains NHL dangerous (almost never cleanly saved by a goalie), the speed and hustle are a bit above average, but the off-puck play and the board work makes it hard for him to get top-6 minutes (sort of because the Leafs' top-6 RWs are already the finesse niche of the line and coaches want to balance with brawn that Robertson does not have).
https://twitter.com/OverDrive1050/status/1831835066538062118
Pat Brisson is not an idiot, so... this is all on Robertson.
https://x.com/frankcorrado22/status/1832144347854225579
bustaheims
Well-known member
Zee said:
As long as they continue to give him a qualifying offer, the Leafs will hold his rights until he?s eligible to be a UFA at 27.
