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Toronto Maple Leafs: More invites to development camp

By Omar L

Apr 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs fans cheer during the game against the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Capitals beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs fans cheer during the game against the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Capitals beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to prepare their rookie development camp roster by extending invites to four more players.

The rookie development camp is soon approaching for Toronto Maple Leafs prospects. Earlier this week, TSN 1200’s Kenny Walls tweeted that an invite was extended towards Ottawa 67 centre Austen Keating.

The invite list increases as four more players will be taking part. This includes Kristian Pospisil and Nikita Korostelev, who will be joining the forward group at camp.

Leafs fans are familiar with Korostelev. The 20-year-old winger was drafted by Toronto in the seventh round of the 2015 NHL Draft.

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Despite his offensive skills, Korostelev was one of the three players not signed to an entry-level deal. Bringing the young Russian to the camp could be another opportunity for management to see what they have in the forward. Best case scenario is that he plays well and is signed.

Pospisil had a decent season with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL. He had 15 goals and 40 points in 48 games and can play both centre and right-wing. Again, the Leafs are expanding their sights to the centre position, which is lacking in the organization.

On the back-end, Jakob Stridsberg of Arizona State University will be at camp.

The 22-year-old is a left shot and stands at 6-feet, 176 pounds. He didn’t put up a lot of numbers in his first year of the NCAA with Arizona (16 points in 32 games).

However, his two previous years with the Fairbank Ice Dogs may be telling of his offensive flair. He scored 34 points in 60 games and then 45 points in 57 appearances.

Finally, goaltender Antoine Samuel.

The 19-year-old goaltender played 52 games for the Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the QJMHL. His .902 save percentage doesn’t scream “impressive”, but the team managed to make the playoffs despite a 26-32-6 record with Samuel as the starter.

These players are far from locks to receive a contract, but having possibilities is better than having nothing. The organization has shown to not hesitate to sign a player with potential to an AHL deal with the Toronto Marlies.

Perhaps these players can prove they deserve a shot at the pro level. It’ll be interesting to see if this is it for camp invites, or if the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to add to their roster.

Next: Austen Keating invited to camp

What do you think of the new camp invites? Do you think the Leafs are doing the right thing with bringing in more players? Is this it for them, or are there more players that can be added? Let us know what you think down below.

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