Brian S
Total 114 Posts
2023 Top 25 Under 25: Nick Robertson is 3rd
Nick Robertson has only played in 31 NHL games and 82 total games in the past three seasons, and the shine is off a former star prospect. Can he stay healthy and learn how to be effective in the NHL, or has his opportunity already slipped by?
2023 Top 25 Under 25: Conor Timmins is 5th
As the second oldest player eligible for this year's T25U25, Timmins is in a weird spot to consider in our rankings. The Maple Leafs are familiar with highly regarded defense prospects struggling to find their footing in the NHL. So where does that leave Timmins?
2023 Top 25 Under 25: Topi Niemelä is 6th
Topi Niemelä is one of the few defensive prospects in Toronto's system, and clearly the best at this point. He'll start this year in the AHL likely as a top pair defensemen. How much do you buy into his NHL future?
2023 Top 25 Under 25: Pontus Holmberg is 7th
One of the more debated areas of our annual rankings comes when we look at players who have gotten into a handful of NHL games, but haven't yet stuck in a full time role. Pontus Holmberg certainly fits this type of player after his AHL and NHL rookie season.
2023 Top 25 Under 25: Roni Hirvonen is 9th
Hirvonen is a prospect that's difficult to project because of where and how he's played. He's been in Finland's pro league before Toronto even drafted him, as well as being part of Team Finland in various junior tournaments for years. But who is he as a player by now?
2023 Top 25 Under 25: Nikita Grebyonkin is 12th
Grebyonkin is in a quite interesting place as a prospect. There are some reasons to think highly of him, but also reasons to be skeptical. I am here to tell you why you should be getting all aboard the Greb hype train.
2023 Top 25 Under 25: William Villeneuve is 16th
On a team with so few defensemen prospects in their pipeline, Villeneuve is arguably their second best hope of being an NHLer. This year, he will have a chance to step up into a second pair role on the Marlies and get even closer to the NHL as a real possibility.
2023 Top 25 Under 25: Noah Chadwick is 18th
Noah Chadwick makes his debut at 18th after being drafted by Toronto this summer. He's a big lanky defenseman with questions about his skating but some interesting skill that hints at his potential.
2023 T25U25: Hudson Malinoski is 20th
Hudson Malinoski makes his Top 25 Under 25 debut at 20th. A fifth round pick in the 2023 draft, he has some interesting tools and some shiny new toy syndrome among the voters.
2023 T25U25: Dmitri Ovchinnikov is 21st
Last year, Dmitri Ovchinnikov was ranked 15th on our T25U25 list. This year he dropped six spots despite finally getting a full time KHL role. Let's talk about what's likely behind the drop.
2023 T25U25: Artur Akhtyamov is 24th
Next on our countdown for this year's Top 25 Under 25 series is the Russian goalie Artur Akhtyamov. He had great numbers in the VHL last year, but does that mean much?
Getting to Noah Chadwick
Scouting Toronto's latest defenseman prospect, Noah Chadwick. He profiles as a solid all-around defender who could get even better once he adds some muscle and improves his skating.
Getting to Know Hudson Malinoski
Looking at the scouting reports and mechanics for the Toronto Maple Leafs' recent 5th round pick: Hudson Malinoski.
Getting to Know Easton Cowan Part Three: Overall Assessment
Looking at a final, overall assessment of Easton Cowan, his future projection, and if Toronto was right to use their first round pick to draft him.
Getting to Know Easton Cowan Part Two: Scouting Breakdown
Breaking down the specific strengths and weaknesses of Easton Cowan's game, using scouting reports and video clips. This covers his skating, puck handling, passing, shooting, physicality/defense, and hockey smarts.
Getting to Know Easton Cowan Part One: Stats and Context
When the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Easton Cowan with the 28th overall pick, it produced a mixed reaction. But Toronto has done the same thing with Knies and Minten, so is Cowan set to follow the same path?
Standouts from Toronto's Development Camp
On Saturday, Toronto wrapped up it's development camp with a scrimmage. Read up on who was said to have strong camps, and who looked good at the scrimmage.
Monday FTB: Getting to the slow point of the off season
It's not the slowest point of the off-season yet, but boy it's getting there.
2024 NHL Draft: A way too early watch list
Looking ahead to the 2024 NHL draft to talk about some of the top names, and all of the many interesting defensemen who could be first rounders.
Scouting Reports on Toronto's 2023 Development Camp Roster
Let's talk about Toronto's development camp roster, including their current prospects and all the invites who could be signed to a contract this summer.
Early Thoughts on Toronto's Drafting
The 2023 NHL draft is now over, and we know the three players that the Maple Leafs selected. I've read some scouting reports and watched some highlights. I wanted to share my early thoughts.
With the 185th pick in the 2023 Entry Draft, the Maple Leafs select Noah Chadwick
With their final pick in the draft, barring last minute trades, the Maple Leafs drafted Noah Chadwick.
With the 28th pick in the 2023 Entry Draft, the Maple Leafs select Easton Cowan
The Toronto Maple Leafs kept their 28th overall pick after all, and used it to select Easton Cowan from the London Knights.
2023 NHL Draft Preview & How to Watch
Previewing the 2023 NHL draft that starts tonight on June 28th, plus providing more information on the draft you may want to know.
How Can the Maple Leafs Trade Down from 28 at the NHL Draft?
Brad Treliving has a history of trading down at the draft, and there are a few teams that seem like reasonable candidates to trade up to get the 28th overall pick.