This year, the Toronto Maple Leafs have fallen back, but only because their former top prospects are now top NHL players. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander were all considered prospects this time last year, and now they’re all part of the Leafs’ core.
However, the Maple Leafs still have some very exciting youth to keep tabs on. 2017 first rounder Timothy Liljegren has entered play. Kasperi Kapanen remains an intriguing forward. Defensemen Travis Dermott and Andrew Nielsen are both continuing their development in the pros.
There’s more, too. One player that always seems to fly under the radar is 2016 second round pick Yegor Korshkov.