2018 Top 25 Maple Leafs Under 25

Every season the writers of Pension Plan Puppets vote on the top 25 players under 25 from the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. This is one of my favourite traditions on this website, and I thought I would put in my top 25 this year to add to the conversation.

This list attempts to find a balance between present and future value, I am also going to include tiers to help separate the talent in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. Enjoy!

Tier 1

1. Auston Matthews, 20

Although Mitch Marner and William Nylander are great young scorers, Matthews is in a tier of his own. I don't think there is a need for an explanation for this ranking, but here's one anyways: Auston Matthews led the league in primary points per 60 at even strength last season. In short, Matthews is good. Very good.

Tier 2

2. Mitchell Marner, 21

Marner vs. Nylander is a back and forth battle, but for me, Marner has a clear edge at this point. His ability to run a powerplay and create high-danger scoring chances is elite, and I can't wait to see what happens when he is paired with John Tavares this season. He's been a major scorer at every level, is a year younger than Nylander, and has barely played with the league's most dangerous 5v5 scorer in Auston Matthews.

He is able to make his teammates better, and possesses an underrated defensive game. Stay tuned, because I don't think Mitch Marner has even scratched the surface of what he is capable of doing.

3. William Nylander, 22
Nylander thrives in the neutral zone, and his skating and ability to stick-handle in tight spaces makes him a dangerous weapon for the Leafs in terms of zone entries. If you go back and watch the full shifts of many of Matthews' goals, they usually begin with a Nylander zone entry.

On the defensive side, Nylander is quite the "puck-pocketer" himself, finishing second on the Leafs with 68 takeaways last year. While he is sometimes criticized for his defensive game, I think he will only get better in his own zone with the guidance of Mike Babcock. His ability to shift over to centre could come in handy if injuries occur, but this is slightly less valuable on a team with Matthews, Nazem Kadri, and John Tavares down the middle.

Tier 3

4. Morgan Rielly, 24

Rielly is in a tier of his own for my rankings. After a breakout season, Morgan Rielly has quickly become a more complete top-pairing defenceman in the NHL. Rielly finished 14th in points amongst defensemen, and was in the top 20 at even-strength scoring as well. Rielly has also become an important part of the Leafs powerplay, as he does a good job creating time and space for Mitch Marner.

While there's still a few concerns around Rielly in the defensive end, I would like to see him with a high-end partner. I would consider moving him over to the right side, where he could be a great partner for either Jake Gardiner (who he has had success with in the past), or for the next player on this list.

Tier 4

5. Travis Dermott, 21

Dermott is a nice blend of both present and future value, and to me, he is ready to be a top-four NHL defenceman today. His gap control and ability to defend the blue line makes him a very difficult player to play against, and he is more proven than many of the prospects who are lower on this list.

He still has to prove that he can thrive in tough NHL minutes, but he's proved that he can be a strong puck mover at any level, and given his age, I expect that he could take yet another step forward. It is tough to acquire top-4 caliber defencemen, and his position helps him to rank above Kasperi Kapanen on this list.

6. Kasperi Kapanen, 21

Kapanen is ready to be in Toronto's top-nine next season, and his speed keeps defenders on their heels at all times. He could produce 40 points if he is given plenty of powerplay time and a chance to play with Nazem Kadri, and his speed helps him to gain the zone with ease.

He also was called an "elite penalty killer" by Mike Babcock himself, and he's certainly an asset on the forecheck. At 21, Kapanen has a high floor, and still has time to make himself known as a potential top-six forward. His proven ability to be a solid NHL contributor, and his ability to play in any role he is placed in, is what helped him barely edge out Timothy Liljegren in this ranking.

7. Timothy Liljegren, 19
It was an interesting year for Timothy Liljegren, as he did not look out of place in a league that was not made for teenage-defencemen. His offensive numbers aren't going to jump out at you, but he did make huge strides defensively, and he certainly impressed me in his ability to defend the blue line.
Next season, I want to see Liljegren in a more important role with the Marlies, but the Leafs could have another top-four defenceman on their hands in a year or two.

Tier 5

8. Andreas Johnsson, 23

Andreas Johnsson proved that he is too good for the AHL. He also impressed during his time in the NHL, showcasing his ability to be a valuable player in the top-nine forward group this upcoming season.

I expect Johnsson to flourish on a checking line with Nazem Kadri and either Kasperi Kapanen or Connor Brown. Johnsson should also find himself playing in the "hole" of the 1-3-1 powerplay, as he did well in this position last season. Johnsson could slip in a penalty killing role as well, as the Leafs lost Leo Komarov, and Tomas Plekanec this summer, and Johnsson excelled in this area with the Marlies.

9. Rasmus Sandin, 18

Rasmus Sandin doesn't excel in any particular skill, but his decision-making and hockey IQ makes me optimistic on his potential. Sandin finished tenth in the OHL in primary points per game, and is well-regarded as a smart defender in his own end. Sandin would benefit from adding a bit of size, while working on his speed to help defend in transition.

Expect him to be in a Leafs uniform in the future. Like Dermott, it is tough to acquire a top-four defenceman unless you take them in the draft, and I have him over Connor Brown for this reason.

10. Connor Brown, 24

Connor Brown can do a little bit of everything quite well. He is certainly not the most skilled player, but his work ethic and ability to score makes him a solid NHL player. He has been very effective on the penalty kill, and while he hasn't star on the powerplay, he could potentially turn this around if given another opportunity. Brown has a low ceiling in comparison to the players higher on the list, but he's a solid NHL contributor, and this keeps him in the top-10.

11. Connor Carrick, 24

It looks like Carrick will finally get the chance to prove his worth this upcoming season. He's been effective at 5v5 over his career, and could be a solid third-pairing defenseman for the Leafs this season. Carrick's Achilles heel continues to be his inability to play on the penalty kill, as it seems like Babcock needs another option in this area, and he hasn't thought Carrick is that guy. Hopefully that doesn't stop Babcock from playing Carrick this season, as he is a solid puck mover at 5v5.

12. Carl Grundstrom, 20

While I am not as high on Grundstrom as others, I do think he will be a solid goal-scorer at the NHL level one day. Grundstrom isn't afraid to get in the dirty areas and has a release which helped him score nine goals in 22 games with the Marlies. Grundstrom also plays a physical game and is strong on the boards, especially during the cycle. It seems like his overall game will be valued by Mike Babcock when the time comes.

With that said, Grundstrom would benefit from spending close to a full season in the AHL, in order to work on his game away from the puck and his skating. At 20 years of age, there is no need to rush, and the Leafs can afford to keep him with the Marlies given their winger depth.

Tier 6

13. Jeremy Bracco, 21
The 5'9 winger's skill-set could lead to solid point production, as he can be a focal point on a powerplay someday. Bracco had a strong rookie season with the Marlies, but was still scratched during the playoffs thanks to their amazing depth. Among AHL players under 21, Bracco finished 12th in points per game, ahead of Mitchell Stephens, Colin White, Forsbakka-Karlsson, and Lias Andersson among others. He achieved this despite shooting 8.4%.

In order to make the Leafs, Bracco will have to produce offensively at a high rate, as he is an under-sized winger who does not penalty kill. I look forward to seeing Bracco step his game up in a big way next season with the Marlies.

14. Sean Durzi, 19
Durzi might be my favourite prospect with the Leafs right now. He possesses all the skills that the Leafs are looking for in a right-handed defenceman, as he is able to move the puck up the ice at a high level, and uses his legs to create space for himself in a similar way to Timothy Liljegren and Morgan Rielly.

One thing that stands out with Durzi is his patience with the puck and his ability to allow the play to develop instead of forcing it. This helped Durzi to finish in the top-10 amongst OHL defensemen in primary points per 60 last season. The Marlies are currently stacked with right-handed defencemen, so it wouldn't surprise me if Durzi plays another year in junior, where he should flourish.

15. Yegor Korshkov, 22

Yegor Korshkov could be one of the biggest mysteries on this list. After agreeing to spend another year in the KHL, Leafs fans will have to wait another year before seeing Korshkov on North American ice. Korshkov is a tall, fast winger who can play in many different situations. Toronto's winger depth is only getting stronger each year, but I believe that Korshkov would be one of the better forwards on the Marlies if he decided to come to North America.

16. Trevor Moore, 23
Trevor Moore won the hearts of Marlies Nation last season. Moore's tenacity without the puck, and sneaky playmaking ability with the puck, made him a noticeable presence every time he was on the ice. In my opinion, Moore is NHL-ready and has an outside shot at a job with the Leafs this upcoming season. If he does end up back with the Marlies, expect another great season from Moore, who continues to improve every year.

17. Andreas Borgman, 23
Andreas Borgman had a roller coaster season in his first year with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. He started the season in a sheltered third-pairing role on the Maple Leafs, and ended it in the press-box during the Marlies' playoff run. Borgman's season is a great example of how competitive it is to gain spots on defence in the Leafs organization, especially on the left side.

With Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, Travis Dermott already on the Leafs, it might be difficult for Borgman to get NHL ice-time next season. Borgman would benefit from getting more penalty kill time, which could help him land that everyday NHL job in the future given his size and skill-set.

18. Emeli Rasanen, 19
Rasanen had an okay season offensively with the Kingston Frontenacs this year, finishing with 33 points in 61 games. He is a large defenceman who likes to use his size to his advantage whenever he can. Rasanen has decided to go back to Finland to play professional hockey next year, and I look forward to seeing if he can pick up his foot speed to keep up with the pro game.

The Leafs have a load of right-handed defencemen competing for spots on the Marlies right now, so going to the KHL might be the best decision for Rasanen and his development. Rasanen jumps over Rosen thanks to his age, and the fact that he is a right-handed defencemen. It might be easier for Rasanen to eventually crack the Leafs in comparison to Borgman and Rosen.

19. Calle Rosen, 24
Calle Rosen was a breath of fresh air last year. It seemed like he gained more and more confidence as the year went on, and it reflected in his game. In the playoffs, he exploded with five goals and eleven points in 16 games. He was carrying the puck more and making better overall decisions than he was earlier in the season. Rosen should occupy an important role with the Marlies again next season, but he will have a tough time making the Leafs given his powerplay skillset.

Tier 7

20. Adam Brooks, 22
Adam Brooks is another player who gained more confidence with the Marlies as the season went on. We started to see the skill-set that made fans excited about Brooks when he was still playing junior, as we saw flashes of his puck-carrying and playmaking. This showed in the numbers too, as his point-production increased in the latter half of the season.

Next season, I would love to see Adam Brooks shoot the puck more. Far too often, Brooks looks to pass when the best option is to shoot, and this shows up in the numbers. In a similar way to Bracco, Brooks is going to have to produce big numbers at the AHL level if he wants to make the Leafs one day.

Despite being in the seventh tier, I am still quite high on Adam Brooks and what he brings to the table. The Leafs could use a young, high-end centre for the Marlies, and his ability to contribute on the penalty kill could help him in the future.

21. Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, 17
SDA might be the most "Kyle Dubas" draft pick of all time, which is saying something, considering he also drafted Mac Hollowell and Rasmus Sandin this summer. SDA is a small, highly-skilled forward who finished with 51 points in 68 games. Only 11 players younger than 18 years old produced at a higher rate than SDA at 5v5 last season. That list that includes Andrei Svechnikov, Ryan McLeod, and Barrett Hayton.

SDA might start putting up big numbers in junior soon, especially if his team improves, so this is definitely a prospect who could rank a lot higher on this list next season. SDA has strong edge-work and looks like a terrific passer. His creativity in the offensive zone reminds me of Jeremy Bracco and Mitch Marner to a certain extent.

22. Pierre Engvall, 22
After playing pro in Sweden, Engvall took the Marlies by storm scoring four goals in nine games. Engvall cooled off for the playoff run but still contributed well. Engvall is a tall, lanky winger with a nose for goal. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

In order to take the next step, I'd like to see Engvall use his size and become a more dominant player physically. He skates well for a big man, and I don't think he has hit his potential just yet. He was a big scoring threat on the powerplay, but I would like to see him replicate his scoring production over a larger sample of play.

23. Jordan Subban, 23
Jordan Subban seems to be a project taken in by Kyle Dubas. Everything is there offenively, as he has high playmaking ability and can really skate. Dubas has spoken about how he believes the Maple Leafs player development staff can make Subban defensively responsible, while tuning-in his offensive skill-set.

Subban should be a big part of the Marlies defence this season, and could be fighting for a third-pairing NHL defenceman role in the near future if everything goes to plan.

24. Dimytro Timashov, 21
Timashov is an interesting player to say the least. At times, he looks like one of the better players on the ice, as his vision and creativity gave many fans hope that he could become something great some day. At other times, he looks like an offensively-focused player who doesn't score quite enough to be a star.

Despite playing with Chris Mueller and Ben Smith, Timashov put up mediocre numbers. With that said, Timashov is still only 21, and has time to become a more consistent scorer at the AHL level.

25. Mac Hollowell, 19

This might be a reach, but I couldn't exclude Mac Hollowell from this list, as I don't think the 4th rounder gets enough praise for how good he is. He might be small, but his point production and skill-set cannot be ignored.

Hollowell exploded this season with 56 points in 63 games many of those coming at even strength. Hollowell played a lot of last season with Rasmus Sandin and they made a terrific pairing for the Greyhounds.

Conclusion

There are many players I left off this list, most notably: Mason Marchment, Frederik Gauthier, Andrew Nielsen, and Joseph Woll. In my opinion, this is the best group of 25 players under 25 the Leafs have had in a very long time. It is a great time to be a Leafs fan.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to comment below!!