If you don’t follow much of the American Hockey League, OHL, KHL or any of the Swedish Leagues that’s 100% ok. By the end of this article you have a overview of what you can expect coming out of the Leafs organization over the next few years and if I can give you hint you should be very excited. These are no particular order just going to do my best to give you an overview of what’s in the Maple Leafs system over the next few weeks. Part 1 will consist of 4 players more known in the Maple Leafs system.

1. Rasmus Sandin – Drafted 1^st round 2018 (29^th overall) From the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
   Position: Defence
   Shoots: Left
   Born: March 7th, 2000 — Uppsala, Sweden
   Height: 5’11”
   Weight: 190 lbs [180 cm / 86 kg
   • Background: Started his professional playing career in Brynas IF in 2016 at the age of 16. In 2017 Sandin was drafted 52^nd overall by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) at the Canadian Hockey League import draft. Started playing for Rogle SK of the Swedish Hockey League before joining the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and by seasons being awarded Rookie of the Year by the team and nominated a finalist for the Emms Family award (awarded top rookie)
   • Scouting Report:
     1. Skating – Above average skater, don’t expect him to out skate very many. Better skater backwards then forwards. Fantastic retreat skater, always able to keep the play in front of him. Good, strong lower half which makes Sandin strong on his skates.
     2. Offensively – Highly intelligent puck mover, he is always poised with the puck on his stick. Amazing vision and a great passer, has the ability and skill to use the stretch pass with ease but will not force a play if it’s not there. Sandin brings a great shot arsenal to the ice, he favors his wrist shot or snap shot over the slapper. Knows when to pick his spots to pinch
     3. Defensively – Sandin brings very strong positioning along with some physicality to his game. Tough in the corners, clears the net well. Sandin doesn’t chase the play in order to be physical but picks his spots well. Sandin is very good at anticipating plays, making him a very valuable defencemen.
     4. Comparision –  If I had to choose someone solely based on potential I really couldn’t find someone because the potential that Rasmus Sandin has seems to be above and behind some of his peers. But what I’ve heard and saw game style wise he compares Jake Muzzin.

2. Trevor Moore – Undrafted free agent signing
   Position: Left Wing
   Shoots: Left
   Born: March 31, 1995 – USA
   Height: 5‘10”
   Weight: 174 lbs
   • Background: Moore decided to go the same route as former Leaf Center Tyler Bozak, heading straight to the University of Denver. At Denver Moore was setup under current Dallas head coach Jim Montgomery and played on a line with current NHLer Dalton Heinein of the Boston Bruins. It was there that he would begin to flourish and the Leafs scouts caught a glimpse of it and rushed to sign Moore in 2016. His development with the Marlies has been quick and fun to watch. Moore was expected by some to be the Leafs first call up this season if necessary and they were correct.
   • Scouting Report:
     1. Skating: Most scouts describe Moore’s skating ability as NHL ready. Extremely quick and strong on his skates. Hard to bump off the puck.
     2. Offensively: The way I’ve heard it described about Trevor Moore’s offence was this; “Great hands and vision with a nice shot and knack for going to the net hard, we could be looking at a 3^rd liner who scores 20 goals.”
     3. Defensively: You really couldn’t ask for a more defensively responsible player. Sheldon Keefe head coach of the Toronto Marlies has Moore play in every situation, Keefe stress Moore has developed an unbelievable 2-way game. Great backchecker who never gives up, amazing hockey sense and the ability to read a play defensively before it happens, this is on top of his shot blocking ability.
     4. Comparison: Closest comparison would be Zach Hyman but much offensive flair and a much more dynamic skater and player.

3. Carl Grundstrom – Drafted in the 2^nd round (57^th overall) in the 2016 NHL draft
   Position: Right Wing
   Shoots: Left
   Born: December 1st, 1997 Umea, Sweden
   Height: 6‘00”
   Weight: 194 lbs
   • Background: Scored 13 goals in the Swedish Hockey League, those numbers may not jump off the page at you, but considering he was 18 years old and playing in a super defensive league 13 goals in the SHL is probably like a solid 25-30 in the AHL.
   • Scouting Report:
     1. Skating: Not a strength of his game, needs to improve his skating a bit and his edging. Plays more of a north/south game. But this doesn’t mean he’s a bad skater either.
     2. Offensively: Only way to describe his offensive game is this, Shoot!. Grundstrom has an unbelievable shot and is really good around the net. Good hockey IQ, and a very competitive player. He’s one of those guys like a Zach Hyman who will give you everything he’s got every shift.
     3. Defensively: Solid defensive player, who is always on the right side of the puck. Good stick and a very high hockey sense.
     4. Comparison: Closest comparison Leo Komarov

4. Timothy Liljegren – Drafted in the 1^st round (17^th overall) in 2017
   Position: Defence
   Shoots: Right
   Born: April 30, 1999– Kristianstad, Sweden
   Height: 6‘00”
   Weight: 192 lbs
   • Background: Liljegren was drafted much lower than most people thought he should have been. Before Liljegren had a bout with mono, he was said to be drafted as high as 3^rd overall but he couldn’t find his game in the 2^nd half of the season after returning and no one wanted to take the risk.
   • Scouting Report:
     1. Skating: Have fun catching this kid if he gets going. Very strong skater, great edge work and pretty strong on the puck. Let me tell you if you let him get skating he will get into the zone every time. Without question.
     2. Offensively: Liljegren admittingly models his game after Erik Karlsson and with that comparable he does a lot of the samethings that Karlsson does. Great zone entries and strong ability to control the line, great hands, phenomenal stickhandling and probably the most talk about thing is the cannon of a shot he possesses. Most scouts say that they will be shocked if Liljegren isn’t a multiple Norris Trophy winner.
     3. Defensively: Much like Karlsson, Liljegren doesn’t get much credit for his defensive work and while playing in Sweden I would agree. But since playing under Sheldon Keefe on the Toronto Marlies his defensive abilities have looked miles better. He’s garnered a good stick and some good position.
     4. Comparison: Closest comparison Erik Karlsson, not saying he’s as good but the same style and set of skills, but obviously at different levels.

We’ve discussed the identity of the Toronto Maple Leafs and what we can expect on a regular basis from them. Today we will do some in-depth analysis on each Leaf player from the goaltending right up to the 1^st line players, a grade will be given and a explanation as to why that grade is given. Below will be a grading system so that everyone reading can understand in a sense as to what the player is being graded on.

Grading System:

10 – Overachievement of goals, and played extremely better then peers
9 – Achieved goals and played at a higher level then peers
8 – Achieved goals, while playing at the same level as peers
7 – Achieved most goals, while playing at same level as peers
6 – Achieved 80% of goals, while playing at a level slightly below peers
5 – Achieved 50% of goals, while playing at a level 50% below peers
4 – Achieved 40% of goals, while playing at a level 40% below peers
3 – Did not achieve majority of goals, while being in and out of the lineup
2 – Did not achieve majority of goals, while being a healthy scratch 90% of the time
1 – Did not play

Goaltenders:

Frederik Andersen: 7 – Frederik Andersen has always been a shaky starter in October, he really worked hard in the off-season to hopefully change that. Andersen started off the season with a solid 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens, where he made 34 saves in a very convincing opening night win. Things then kind went south. Andersen in his next 3 starts gave up 3, 4 and 3 goals respectively, which really started to take a toll on his Goals Against Average. Andersen then had a solid outing against Washington only giving up 2, then superb start against Pittsburgh only giving up 1 goal on 38 shots and back to 3 against St. Louis and then a superb outing against Winnipeg on Wednesday. So far inconsistency has gotten the best of Andersen but he looking like he is turning a corner.

Garrett Sparks – 5 – Garrett Sparks is a hard one to rate, he’s only made 2 NHL starts both he won. First game his team scored a touchdown against Chicago and he looked shaky to say the least. But the 2^nd against Los Angeles he looked like a superstar only allowing one goal and making 33 saves. Sparks needs to work on his game at the NHL level, it’s one thing being AHL goalie of the year and being backup and eventually a starter in the NHL.

Defence:

Igor Ozhiganov – 6 – The majority Ozhiganov’s goals were set with the learning curve of playing a North American style of hockey. But Ozhiganov hasn’t looked out of place except for one game. Solid defensive game with a nice outlet pass and a bomb of a shot. We haven’t seen the bomb as much but Ozhiganov doesn’t get much offensive zone time. I would expect to see this number go up as he continues to grow.

Travis Dermott – 6 – Dermott brings a solid two-way game. Although this year he hasn’t been given much of an opportunity to use the offensive game. Very little offensive zone time and rarely powerplay time has seen Dermott’s ability offensively diminish. But expect this number to go up as the season goes on.

Martin Marincin – 2 – Marcincin brings what he always has a good stick and reach. But his skating is something to be laughed at and decision making abilities are less then 0. Expect to more of Justin Holl throughout the season.

Justin Holl – 2 – The rating is not Holl’s fault. He has not been given a chance to play and has been the odd man out of the rotation that was happening between Marincin and Ozhiganov at the beginning of the season. Expectations are Holl will get his chance if he is patience.

Nikita Zaitsev – 6.5 – He’s been much better then last season, where turnovers and lack of defensive coverage were his demise. This season he come out looking more like his rookie season in Toronto. But turnovers are still a damper to him and his defensive partner Jake Gardiner.

Ron Hainsey – 5 – Hainsey has struggled defensively this season although the last few games he has looked like he is turning a corner. Turnovers in October/November seemed to have become a thing for him, whereas usually he is a sturdy defencemen. Only 2 ways to go for Hainsey either he’s just in a rough patch and it will turn around or age has finally caught up to him.

Jake Gardiner – 6 – Gardiner has looked basically the same as any other year except with the newly formed powerplay he is getting less opportunities in the offensive zone. The last few games Gardiner has taken it upon himself to create scoring chances, which can be a great thing or totally disastrous. Look for Gardiner to begin to revamp his game to create more 5 on 5 opportunities for himself.

Morgan Rielly – 9 – Rielly is finally living up to the bill of the 2-way defenceman they drafted. Still young so it was never really a worry but Rielly has really vamped things up this season, especially offensively. But his defensive game is reminiscent of Duncan Keith, good spacing, great stick and a nice box out to go along with a fantastic skating ability. 16 points in 13 games is making Rielly a real stud this season, expect more.

Forwards:

Andreas Johnsson – 3 – Johnsson was a very strong player last year in the AHL and even in his callup to Toronto late in the season. But this season he is struggling to find his groove. Last season averaged 2 shots a game this season not even one, he hasn’t been using his speed or deceptiveness. Don’t expect Johnsson to stay this way all season, he’s dynamic expect him to find it. Tonight was the first step back to it.

Tyler Ennis – 3 – Ennis had a strong pre-season and then Kasperi Kapanen took his job, because he wasn’t performing with Matthews. He needs to use his speed to be effective and go to the corners. A 4^th line with Ennis playing well could be a very good 4^th line.

Frederik Gauthier – 4 – Gauthier isn’t expected to score very much, but he is expected to win draws and be a thorn in the other teams side. He’s been in and out of the lineup. More of a defensive specialist.

Josh Leivo – 4 – Leivo is a very disappointing player for me. He has such talent but can’t seem to bring it together all at one time at the NHL level. Big shot but can’t hit the net. He’s been put in all the right situations to succeed. Been kind of a let down.

Connor Brown – 4 – Brown has really underperformed so far this season with only a Empty Net goal to his name. Brown needs to play his game in the corners with his speed. Let his ability do the work. Brown will come around and find some scoring touch that the Leafs desperately from their bottom 6.

Par Lindholm – 5 – Lindholm was a great find for the Leafs overseas, he was brought over for his faceoff ability and his defensive game. The Leafs need a little offence out of him for sure, but he is learning the North American game so some slack is cut.

Patrick Marleau – 5 – Marleau has had an underwhelming start to his season scoring only his 2^nd goal of the year last night in Dallas. Both goals coming on the man advantage. Marleau is being looked at as a 2^nd option right now on the powerplay but with Matthews out will get more looks. Expect Marleau to easily break out of this slump and hit somewhere between 20-30 goals again this season.

Zach Hyman – 7 – People will laugh at this rating because they will say Hyman only has 6 assists on the season. How in the world is he rated higher than Patrick Marleau amongst others. Well, let me explain. Hyman does all the little things that don’t show up on the score sheet such as all the corner work, net presence, blocks shots, penalty kills on top of being on pace for 38 points. Hyman comes as advertised each game, works his tail off every game. Respect is given where respect is due and that’s one of those situations.

Kasperi Kapanen – 8 – Kapanen since being drafted by the Penguins in the 1^st round 22^nd in the same draft as fellow Maple Leaf William Nylander, has had to fight his way to the NHL. Penguins didn’t deem him worthy of a roster spot but remained patient with Kapanen, until they made him apart of the Phil Kessel deal. Kapanen has been in and out of the Leafs roster for the last 2 seasons now but made an impact 2 years ago against Washington in the playoffs and again last season. This season he was a shoe in for a roster spot, especially considering the Leafs cap crunch and the Nylander hold out. Kapanen started on the 4^th line with Andreas Johnsson and Par Lindholm, but quickly jumped up to the top line to play with Auston Matthews and Patrick Marleau. Kapanen’s speed, physicality and willingness to go to the corners this season has made him a real star so far, scoring 6 goals and 4 assists in 13 games. Babcock is beginning to trust the kid more and he will be a mainstay in this lineup. Expect him to continue to score maybe not at the pace he is now but Kapanen brings a lot to the Leafs.

Mitch Marner – 10 – Marner, there is so much to say about this kid and not enough time to say it. Let me break it down into 3 things.

1. Hockey IQ is off the charts! If you not familiar with what that means a very simple definition would be, the ability to read a play before it happens and the ability to determine the how the opposing players will react to a certain situation. All this is done in a split second and then to be able to react to that accordingly.
2. On-Ice Vision is as if he has superpowers. Watch as Marner takes that puck takes a step forward knowing it will open up a seam and boom over to Tavares and in the net or watch as he knows that they are expecting him to pass and he takes advantage of that and boom in net. Finally watch his ability to spot any player coming from anywhere and get to their stick through tons of traffic.
3. Speed combined with stickhandling is scary. Most analysts call this have the puck on a string, it just seems to stay on his stick and never leave until he wants it too.

All this to say Marner has come out flying, scoring 16 points in 13 games. This is what your going to be getting for the next however many years. This kid is a stud. Oh and by the way he LOVES PLAYING IN TORONTO.

John Tavares – 9 – Tavares has been everything advertised, good faceoff guy and 2-way player who really has a knack to score. 14 points in 13 games. My reasoning for putting him at 9 is he seems to disappear at times. But Tavares is on pace again for heavy offensive numbers, Leafs look scary good. Just like Tavares has so far.

Auston Matthews – 10 – I wish there was an 11 or 12 on this scale. Auston Matthews revamped his shooting and boy whatever he did it’s been dead on. Unfortunately being out for a month will hurt his MVP chances (It’s early, I know). But 16 points in 11 games before the injury. Let me tell you 3 things that have made Matthews so successful this season.

1. Those hands are filthy. Another one of those guys who has the puck on a string, he makes the puck do whatever he wants. Watch him control the game just by cradling the puck, it’s quite magical.
2. Laser shot. Whatever Matthews did over the offseason, it worked wonders he puts the puck wherever he wants to. It’s almost as if he tells it to go and it goes there.
3. Defensive ability. When you play against Matthews you better be ready for a 200 foot press. Matthews is relentless backchecker, especially if he is the one who loses the puck.
4. Not afraid to go to the dirty areas. Matthews does what he got to do to score, sacrificing his whole body and it has worked. The shoulder injury is a freak injury. Just hit the wrong spot.

Nazem Kadri – 5 – Kadri started off the season very slow, my thoughts are he was trying to find his identity on the team again. 1^st powerplay unit, penalty killing and a 3^rd line center role. But he embraced it and has become good at agitating other teams. Hard on the forecheck and gritty. Now after 13 games he’s gotten 7 points and with Matthews injury an increased role. Expect more from Kadri and a better rating at the half way point.

These are my rating for the Maple Leafs 13 games into the season. Will re-evaluate again at the half way point.

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