A look at some of the Leafs top prospects

In a season where the biggest acquisitions for the Leafs are a coach and a GM. There is work to be done. Gone are the days where the Leafs fall off a cliff and crash and burn while getting closer to playoff time. Mike Babcock probably won`t be able to make this team a playoff team this season, but he will bring order and will get the Leafs on the right track. A big youth movement is in progress in Toronto.

Here is a look at some of the top prospects in the Leafs organization:

Morgan Rielly: Only 21 and he has already played 154 games for the Leafs. As well all know defenseman tend to bloom a little later but this is not the case for Morgan. He is already becoming Toronto’s best defenseman and should completely take over the role of power play quarterback soon. An elite talent with great mobility, he also isn’t afraid to shoot the puck.

Frederik Gauthier: As the guys from Leafs Lunch like to call him, Freddy the Goat will most likely play his first NHL game at some point this season. The 6’5 center had a pretty solid year last season winning Gold with the Canadian junior team and he also won the QMJHL championship with Rimouski. Solid in the faceoff circle, he can easily go straight into a shutdown role with the Leafs.

William Nylander: He is definitely one to watch. He will most likely be playing for the Leafs real soon. After coming to North America mid way through the AHL season, he put up 32 points in 37 games and he was only 18. An extreme talent that is good at making defenseman look silly, we can’t help but be excited to see what he can bring to the Leafs.

Kasperi Kapanen: Acquired as a main piece in the Kessel trade, expectations for Kasperi are high. He is a very smart player with the speed and skill to not let his lack of size drag him down. He is one we are looking forward to see in the pre season.

Mitchell Marner: Taken 4^th overall in this past draft by the Leafs, Mitchell is going to be a big part of the Leafs youth movement. Many scouts have compared him to Patrick Kane for his great skill as a playmaker and also that they are similar in size. Another one to watch during the Leafs training camp, he probably won’t play any game for the Leafs this season, but you can most likely expect to see him in the Leafs lineup next year.