Toronto Maple Leafs: 7 Players to Watch as Season Comes to an End

With the Toronto Maple Leafs season coming to an end, there are many players hoping to leave a positive impression going into next season.

Looking back at the Toronto Maple Leafs roster before the trade deadline compared to what it looks like now, there has been a significant turnover. However, it has been a major benefit for a rebuilding Leafs team, because many young players are getting an opportunity to play. While some of the prospects have shown they are capable of playing at the NHL level, head coach Mike Babcock wants to exercise caution during this time:

It has been a while since Babcock ranked near the bottom of the league. His time with the Detroit Red Wings was filled with success, which is not the case this season in Toronto. At this point in the season however, the best thing the Leafs can do is give their future players an opportunity to showcase their skills.

More from Tip of the Tower

• Cam Phillips making his mark on Toronto Argonauts offence
• Toronto Argonauts: 4 storylines ahead of matchup against Redblacks
• Federico Bernardeschi ready for new challenge with Toronto FC
• Toronto Argonauts overcome Roughriders in entertaining Touchdown Atlantic
• Buffalo Bills: Von Miller drawing inspiration from Bruce Smith

Fans have been impressed with how the young players have performed so far, but the organization’s position has not changed. In past years there would have been a major spending spree in free agency, or trades to speed up the rebuild process as a result of the excitement surrounding the team — and we all know how that worked out before.

When asked about bringing up the prospects after the trade deadline, president Brendan Shanahan wanted to stress the importance of having the prospects as a part of a winning culture.

“We’ve got a lot of work to go and we’re a team that does not know how to win. We have not won enough in recent years,” Shanahan said in an interview with Sportsnet. “I really think that winning is also a learned skill.”

In a way this experience is teaching the young players that results will not come easy, especially because of how easy it has looked in the AHL.

The Calgary Flames took a major step forward last season, with young players like Sean Monahan and John Gaudreau leading the charge. While Gaudreau has been even better this season, Monahan has not made the big jump, which, on top of other issues, has contributed to Calgary’s poor season.

The Leafs need to understand this, because the young players will play a major role moving forward. Babcock has not been shy with using them in important situations, so he knows what he has, instead of wondering as the team moves forward.

It is hard not to see a player like William Nylander show he is ready to play at the NHL level. However, seeing players like Zach Hyman, Connor Brown, Brendan Leipsic, Nikita Soshnikov, and Josh Leivo play well should provide more optimism, because they were not considered high level prospects. For these players, their small contributions are having a big impact.

Here are some players we should be keeping our eye on as the year comes to an end for both the Leafs and the Toronto Marlies.

Next: Connor Brown