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Toronto Maple Leafs: 2016 World Juniors Recap of Leafs Top Prospects

By James Middleton

Oct 2, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; aToronto Maple Leafs right wing Kasperi Kapanen (71) skates with the puck chased by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) in the second period t Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; aToronto Maple Leafs right wing Kasperi Kapanen (71) skates with the puck chased by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) in the second period t Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Sep 21, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Fredrik Claesson (49) takes the puck away from Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Dmytro Timashov (86) in the first period at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /

Team Sweden:

Dmytro Timashov: Without a doubt, the best performance from a Leafs prospect at the World Juniors. Somehow taken 125th overall, it looks like Toronto have a hidden gem in Dmytro Timashov.

Marc Hunter’s first draft in charge looks pretty spectacular in hindsight, with Timashov looking like the best value pick of them all. He was incredible for the Swedes, and stepped up big time following the injury to Nylander.

A tremendous skater with a deceptive shot and silky smooth hands, Timashov looks like a definite top 9 forward in the NHL. He reminds me a lot of Artemi Panerin, the star rookie for the Chicago Blackhawks.

While Timashov is surely two years away from making the Leafs, he could finish his junior career with a couple Memorial Cup appearances following his trade from Quebec to the powerhouse Shawinigan Cataractes. He should also represent Sweden at the 2017 World Juniors in Toronto next January.

William Nylander: This was a very costly tournament for the Leafs top prospect, following an illegal check to the head in a game against the Swiss. Prior to the injury, Nylander looked like he was going to dominate, after scoring early on in the game. 

However, the 19-year old was forced out of the tournament following the concussion sustained as a result of the illegal check. Although this was sadly an incomplete tournament for the Leafs top prospect, nothing changes with regards to Nylander’s potential.

The Calgary native is an elite talent who should be on the Leafs next season in a top 6 role. Hopefully he can recover from this injury and continue his fantastic season, or else this tournament will have been an absolute disaster for Toronto.

Alex Nylander: Probably the most surprising performance for a draft eligible player came from William’s brother, Alex. The younger Nylander was the star for Team Sweden following his brother’s early injury.

Alex’s game reminded me a lot of his brother William’s – without A. Nylander on the back of his jersey, I wouldn’t have known it wasn’t William. Another incredibly talented draft eligible player, Alex closes out the top five prospects available in the 2016 NHL Draft for me with his breakthrough performance.

Leafs fans would obviously love to have Auston Matthews, but I think they will get a tremendous player at the top of the draft. It is especially imperative for the Leafs to land a top 6 pick, because I believe there is a massive talent drop off after the first six players available have been picked (add Jakob Chychrun to the first five).

This upcoming first round draft pick will arguably be the most important pick in the Leafs history, Should they hit on this pick, you could really start to see the foundation of a championship caliber team moving forward.

Next: Conclusion

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