Toronto Maple Leafs: Players to Watch During Training Camp

Dec 27, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Scott Harrington (6) passes the puck against the Washington Capitals during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Capitals won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Scott Harrington

Acquired in the Kessel trade along with Kasperi Kapanen, Harrington will have a spotlight on him. At the age of 22, he has played 124 games at the AHL and has 10 games under his belt at the NHL level, which impressed assistant GM Kyle Dubas.

"Harrington is a player we charted, he had a real good year in the American League, his 10 games up with Pittsburgh he was really, really good by our measures in those games."

Does that mean Harrington has a good chance to make the team? Not necessarily, because the reason he was called up last season with the Penguins, was partly because of the team’s injury problems – they needed bodies to fill the void.

It does not mean he was not deserving of playing at the NHL club, but the Leafs have a lot of possibilities on defence. So, it would not be a surprise to see him at the AHL level to get the ice-time before being called up.

He will have some competition for the final two or three (depending on how many defencemen the Leafs keep) spots on the roster. So far there is Phaneuf, Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, Roman Polak, Stephane Robidas and Matt Hunwick, who will occupy the six spots.

This leaves Harrington, Stuart Percy, T.J. Brennan, Petter Granberg and possibly Rinat Valiev to compete for the final spots on the opening roster.

Next: Jake Gardiner