Ranking Prospects 2026-27

[herman]

PPP: 6. Emil Andrae

PPP votes always push 'prospects' with NHL playing time up a bit higher; granted it is very, very, very difficult to get NHL playing time, but it is easier on some teams than others (see Simon Benoit, Henry Thrun for example). Andrae is a bit of a different look than what the Leafs pursued post-1st 3 seasons under Dubas, and I like this type of bet in a trade: an on-the-cusp prospect with untapped potential because the depth chart was clogged ahead of him. I see a lot of Rasmus Sandin and Travis Dermott in his profile, with all the good and bads of both in the mix (in a smaller, crazier package). Maybe it clicks with the right partner and deployment and system, but his body of work doesn't ring out as a shoo-in top-4 defenseman. Buddy might actually be a better checking/energy forward save that he is 5'9".

 

[herman]

PPP: 5. Tinus Luc Koblar

I like him and I want him to stick with the big squad this season and apprentice under Nick Paul (who I hope Koblar will eventually exceed and succeed), but the most likely path remains a return to Rogle/SHL once he gets a true taste of how hard the hockey is in the NHL. He's big and still growing into his body and strength. Get him on a steady diet of Sundin highlights every single day and get skating training with whoever built Pierre Engvall's stride.

 

[herman]

I'm going to dump Prospect tournament stuff here

Leafs roster:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2098117047930568888

Sens Roster:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2098062354638344302

Habs roster:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2095919897075220751

 

[herman]

Prospect tournament roster finally released

Names I need to look up:
Sawyer Boulton - Marlies contract
Parker Vaughan - invite (Brampton Battalion, I think); attended Dev camp
Nic Whitehead - invite (Ottawa 67s)
Matyas Man - invite (Prince Albert Raiders, holy shirt he's huge and would be funny to partner with Mans Gudmundsson), attended Dev camp
Sebastian Charvat - invite (Waterloo Blackhawks, USHL, paid for EP premium lol)

Ryan Kirwan is also not readily known to Leafs fans, but he has been with the Marlies/Cyclones the past two seasons.

No NCAA or overseas prospects, other than Tinus Luc Koblar who was already known to be sticking around here until the main camp decision.

 

[Bender]

https://bsky.app/profile/leafschronicle.bsky.social%2Fpost%2F3mv6sr4eoxs2f

McKenna is horrendously overqualified compared to the rest of the group.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2098119537669423295

GIOOOOO

 

[herman]

PPP: 4. Ben Danford

He wasn't going to beat out the two older forwards already mostly established in top-6 roles in the NHL and the 1st overall pick's sky high ceiling, but having a defensive d-man slotting this high is a testament to Danford's progress and growth since his draft. I haven't read the linked article yet, so this is just my rambling.

Because of his skillset and usage, his offensive contributions have gone a bit under the radar. He has great footwork and has become very adept at those first passes on the breakout after shedding the first forechecking layer; he's got good vision and plays with his head up whether it's on retrievals (shoulder checks) or heading north. This is the basis of an excellent transition engine that doesn't require Nylander-esque forward skill to move the puck up ice with control. This is the type of player that is the rising tide that floats depth lines into more scoring opportunities without necessarily showing up on the scoresheet every night, a la Chris Tanev or a bigger Rasmus Sandin but with much better wheels.

Unless he really blows the doors off its hinges at Training Camp, I think where Danford plays after the first 3 weeks of the season will be telling: in the AHL, that means the front office recognizes his offense and will try to nurture that development; in the NHL, that means they see his potential more like a PK specialist that can handle 3rd line minutes with some kicks at 4D in a pinch.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2098454661418127829

Very preliminary, but you can see the invites are at the bottom of the roster as they’re primarily bodies to fill out the drills.

Dev camp L1 is split across the top 9
They’re blended groups of at least one Marlie from last season with newbs.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2098458957631107469

Oh wow (I get it)

https://twitter.com/x/status/2098466287663857954

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2098447962917499120

Here's the play Arun mentions

https://twitter.com/x/status/2098446933580710346

 

[Bender]

Not only did he pass to Buhr he also set up a bit of a pick on the defender and distracted him from defending the pass. Super subtle but very smart.