Surprised to see SDA still even cracking the list. His two seasons in the KHL don't look like something that would warrant a NHL return. I'd say Niemela has a better chance at resurrecting any value here if he can have a big season in Europe.
Ranking Prospects 2025-26
- Thread starter herman
- Start date
herman
Well-known member
TLN 9. William Villeneuve
What a difference a season (and a changing of the playstyle) makes. Going into last season, I thought the team was about to let Villeneuve fall off the radar because it was a bit concerning someone of his profile was not getting many minutes, but the reverse happened (he earned it). His profile aligns very well with what the Leafs want: RD, long, mobile skating, good passing. He, and Noah Chadwick* to some degree, are sort of the grandfathered holdovers from the Dubas era that lines up with the likes of Victor Johansson, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Rylan Fellinger type that Treliving likes to pursue (also Dougie Hamilton) to complement the more rough and tumble crease clearers the GM also covets (Ben Danford, Cade Webber, Blake Smith, Chris Tanev x2). This year, he doesn't have Hakanpaa, Mattinen crowded over him -- certainly not in his niche -- so he should be getting lots of Marlies ice time and possibly some mid-season callups if one of the puck movers in the NHL need recovery time.
* drafted while Treliving was at the helm, but the draft list and scouting philosophy were from Dubas
PPP 19. Harry Nansi
He needs work to refine his skating, but as far as raw projects go, there's a lot to work with. I consider him to be like Semyon Der-Arguchintsev with size. He's a transition support centre with oodles of playmaking, hands in tight, and capabilities around the boards. As usual for me, I have lots of time for RH centres that can operate in the slot through traffic (and off the rush).
He's had some time with fellow Leafs prospect Sam McCue
What a difference a season (and a changing of the playstyle) makes. Going into last season, I thought the team was about to let Villeneuve fall off the radar because it was a bit concerning someone of his profile was not getting many minutes, but the reverse happened (he earned it). His profile aligns very well with what the Leafs want: RD, long, mobile skating, good passing. He, and Noah Chadwick* to some degree, are sort of the grandfathered holdovers from the Dubas era that lines up with the likes of Victor Johansson, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Rylan Fellinger type that Treliving likes to pursue (also Dougie Hamilton) to complement the more rough and tumble crease clearers the GM also covets (Ben Danford, Cade Webber, Blake Smith, Chris Tanev x2). This year, he doesn't have Hakanpaa, Mattinen crowded over him -- certainly not in his niche -- so he should be getting lots of Marlies ice time and possibly some mid-season callups if one of the puck movers in the NHL need recovery time.
* drafted while Treliving was at the helm, but the draft list and scouting philosophy were from Dubas
PPP 19. Harry Nansi
He needs work to refine his skating, but as far as raw projects go, there's a lot to work with. I consider him to be like Semyon Der-Arguchintsev with size. He's a transition support centre with oodles of playmaking, hands in tight, and capabilities around the boards. As usual for me, I have lots of time for RH centres that can operate in the slot through traffic (and off the rush).
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herman
Well-known member
TLN 8. Miroslav Holinka
He looks better than some of Toronto’s previous 2nd round picks, as a 5th rounder, I tell ya hwut
PPP 18. Cade Webber
I don't think there is much there, but the size and skating will give him a long, long leash to try and prove something.
He looks better than some of Toronto’s previous 2nd round picks, as a 5th rounder, I tell ya hwut
PPP 18. Cade Webber
I don't think there is much there, but the size and skating will give him a long, long leash to try and prove something.
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His AHL reviews weren't very positive this past season. Maybe he takes a bigger leap in year 2 but I'm not holding my breath.
herman
Well-known member
At best, he's a free spare body. He's got some wheels, but without the accompanying puck handling abilities, it's only good for staying on top of a rush, maybe. Except he also has slow reads at the AHL level. It's conceivable he's a smart cookie and just does the butterfly goalie version of defense: auto take away high-percentage plays by default, and that holds him in good stead against depth offense. At the same time, it's a very saturated market for this player template (defense-only LD) and the Leafs could pick up a relatively established one for pennies.
herman
Well-known member
TLN 7. Tinus Luc-Koblar
Looks like I'm not the only person to make a Pierre Engvall comparison for Koblar. Similar stature, not quite as good a skater, but really relishes the physical game and getting into the slot.
PPP 17. William Villeneuve
Tweener on the offensive side. Offense is not overwhelming enough to overlook the deficiencies on actual defense, but who knows what another year of experience will bring? Good enough to eat Topi Niemela's minutes, but might hit the ceiling at AHL depth.
Looks like I'm not the only person to make a Pierre Engvall comparison for Koblar. Similar stature, not quite as good a skater, but really relishes the physical game and getting into the slot.
PPP 17. William Villeneuve
Tweener on the offensive side. Offense is not overwhelming enough to overlook the deficiencies on actual defense, but who knows what another year of experience will bring? Good enough to eat Topi Niemela's minutes, but might hit the ceiling at AHL depth.
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herman
Well-known member
TLN 6. Tyler Hopkins
He's been touted as a Fraser Minten comp; cerebral two-way centre.
91 for the Kingston Frontenacs
PPP 16. Artur Akhtyamov
Goalies are hard to read. Akhtyamov had a great start but dropped off in the back half of last season (might have something to do with the Marlies being ass-butt). He's the smallest goaltender in the pipeline (6'02" lol) and the same age as Hildeby, who has more North American experience.
He's been touted as a Fraser Minten comp; cerebral two-way centre.
PPP 16. Artur Akhtyamov
Goalies are hard to read. Akhtyamov had a great start but dropped off in the back half of last season (might have something to do with the Marlies being ass-butt). He's the smallest goaltender in the pipeline (6'02" lol) and the same age as Hildeby, who has more North American experience.
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herman
Well-known member
TLN 5. Artur Akhtyamov
See above. I will say, despite his size (which is still not technically small), Akhtyamov is the most technically sound outside of the NHL pair, but his shorter reach gives him less margin for error.
PPP 15. Luke Haymes
Another Fraser Minten comp: two way centre. We should be collecting these players as much as possible. If they pop off: hurray. If they look to have a definite ceiling due to skating or somesuch, the profile is always in demand on the market.
Since Treliving took over, the Leafs have added Jacob Quillan (NCAA FA), Luke Haymes (NCAA FA), and drafted* Tyler Hopkins, and traded for Nic Roy, and on the lower end picked up Cedric Pare, Travis Boyd and Bo Groulx (UFA depth). Like defense in the playoffs, it makes a lot of sense to have too many centres in the pipeline.
* also drafted Miroslav Holinka and Tinus Luc-Koblar who are listed as centres, but I think they might be more wingers.
See above. I will say, despite his size (which is still not technically small), Akhtyamov is the most technically sound outside of the NHL pair, but his shorter reach gives him less margin for error.
PPP 15. Luke Haymes
Another Fraser Minten comp: two way centre. We should be collecting these players as much as possible. If they pop off: hurray. If they look to have a definite ceiling due to skating or somesuch, the profile is always in demand on the market.
Since Treliving took over, the Leafs have added Jacob Quillan (NCAA FA), Luke Haymes (NCAA FA), and drafted* Tyler Hopkins, and traded for Nic Roy, and on the lower end picked up Cedric Pare, Travis Boyd and Bo Groulx (UFA depth). Like defense in the playoffs, it makes a lot of sense to have too many centres in the pipeline.
* also drafted Miroslav Holinka and Tinus Luc-Koblar who are listed as centres, but I think they might be more wingers.