Toronto Maple Leafs: Lou Lamoriello’s words on the prospect pool
By Omar L
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello spoke with TSN’s Chris Masters at the World Junior Summer Showcase, on the development of some of the team’s prospects.
Toronto Maple Leafs fans have a lot to be excited about, starting with 2017 first round pick Timothy Liljegren, who has excelled as Team Sweden’s top defenceman at the World Junior Summer Showcase. Although he was pretty critical of his defensive game after his team fell to Canada 7-4, he’s still having an incredible tournament.
The Leafs’ 2015 third round pick Joseph Woll is also playing well for his team. It was a 2-1 loss, but Woll stopped 27 of 29 shots for Team USA. JD Greenway and Eemeli Rasanen haven’t had the best performances for their teams, but they’ll improve with time.
GM Lou Lamoriello spoke with TSN‘s Mark Masters on how good players at the Showcase have been. Masters asked Lamoriello what he thought about the Leafs’ prospect pool, which he answered:
"“We’re extremely pleased. I think our scouting staff has just done a tremendous job, and the prospects that we have, we don’t have room for a lot of them. So hopefully they can push some of the veterans.”"
Now, this may be reading too deep into it, but the; “We don’t have room for a lot of them”, part sticks out. This could obviously be a nothing quote that just speaks to the organizational depth the Leafs have. On the other hand, it could hint at future decisions to be made.
Prospect takeover
Travis Dermott and Kasperi Kapanen are probably the closest to becoming full-time NHLers. However, the Leafs also have Jeremy Bracco, Adam Brooks and Carl Grundström knocking at the door.
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Additionally, as the Leafs get closer to being considered Stanley Cup contenders, they’re also getting close to moves that may make fans nervous: trading prospects. Some of these young players we get to watch on the Toronto Marlies, may never play for the Leafs. They could well be packaged in a deal for an impact defenceman.
Who knows? What’s most important is the Leafs are obviously drafting better than they ever had, and because of that, are set to be good for a long time.
Next: The young stars can talk
What do you think of the Toronto Maple Leafs prospects’ play at the WJSS? Is there any other meaning behind Lamoriello’s quote? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
**Previous version had listed Chris Masters as the TSN reporter, was corrected to Mark Masters**