We’re still in free agency and Toronto has made some moves. However, with the cap so tight, the 2024-25 Toronto Maple Leafs might have to rely on some youngsters. While the draft was not too long ago, Toronto didn’t make a notable high pick. The Leafs traded their original 23rd pick to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for the 31st pick and a second-round pick. The Leafs picked youngster, Ben Danford of the Oshawa Generals with that pick. Although he won’t be ready to see the NHL immediately, the Leafs have a few exciting youngsters in the pipeline that could feature in the lineup next season. You can count on these players playing in pre-season, but there is a chance we see them in the regular season too.
Reviewing the Leafs 2024-25 Roster Updates Focusing on Youngsters
It’s a challenging task for General Manager, Brad Treliving, to prepare his team under the cap, especially since Mitch Marner’s contract will be up next summer. Despite that, Treliving admitted that he’s interested in looking for a forward. Whether that means a trade or signing, we’ll see. Regardless, they’ll need some cheap options and luckily for the Leafs, there are a few youngsters that they can look to.
1. Easton Cowan
Easton Cowan is coming off a monster year in the OHL with the London Knights. After the Leafs drafted the youngster 28th overall in the 2023 draft, the 19-year-old exploded. He returned to London and scored 96 points in just 54 games. That performance was good enough for him to earn the OHL MVP award. He also led the Knights to an OHL championship and was awarded the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as playoff MVP. In that span, he scored 34 points in 18 games. This domination at the junior level is something you see from some of the best talents in the NHL. Maybe Cowan’s production for London is enough to get him to Toronto for a few games this season.
2. Fraser Minten
Minten was drafted 38th overall by the Maple Leafs in 2022. In his draft year with the Kamloops Blazers, he scored 55 points in 67 games. The 6-foot-2 centre is more of a two-way forward that has great upside on the defensive side of the puck. This Leafs youngster has seen NHL ice in the past. Just last season he featured in four games with the Maple Leafs as a 19-year-old. In those games, he didn’t seem too far out of place, he finished at an even plus-minus and played as much as 14 minutes one game. After getting a taste of what the big leagues are like, Toronto sent him back to junior for further development. It’s not unrealistic to think Minten could make an appearance this season, given the fact that he’s done it before.
3. Nikita Grebyonkin
Grebyonkin is a player that not many know about or think about. While he was drafted back in 2022 and was the 135th pick to Toronto, he was recently added to the Leafs official roster. In the KHL last season, he put up 41 points in 67 games. His team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk were crowned champions and he was named KHL rookie of the year. During the first round of these past playoffs, the Leafs youngster signed his entry-level contract and there was a possibility for him to make his NHL debut in Game 5 against the Boston Bruins. In the end, the 21-year-old wasn’t selected by former head coach, Sheldon Keefe.
However, there’s a new coach in town and his name is Craig Berube. Grebyonkin is a heavy forward and Berube is still all about grit and work ethic, slotting in the Russian winger may fit the style of Berube’s liking. Also, Toronto’s left-side is slightly lacking in terms of quality and depth. Now that Tyler Bertuzzi is gone, in terms of true left wingers, there’s Matthew Knies, Bobby McMann, and Nick Robertson (who recently requested a trade). Max Domi could also be assigned to a left-winger role but Grebyonkin could be a big help.
Main photo: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
