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 will have an 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 in 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 3 will consist of 5 players that we haven’t discussed and are a mix of players on the verge of making the Leafs roster and a couple that are surprises to be on this list. This will conclude the prospect overview.
- Pierre Engvall– Drafted in the 7th round, #188 overall, in 2014
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Born: May 31st, 1996 — Ljungby, Sweden
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 190 lbs
- Background: Engvall came from the Swedish leagues after scoring 20 goals and jumped onto the Marlies roster for the last 10 games putting up 8 points and again putting up strong point in the AHL Playoffs
- Scouting Report:
- Skating – Engvall is not the fastest skater but by no means is he slow either. He has good agility and good edge work. Needs to build some more strength to make him harder to knock off the puck.
- Offensively – Engvall can play the cycle game and has great on ice vision. Passing is his greatest strength, he’s creative in using whether it’s behind the back or right through the seam and on the top. Engvall can score with a very nice wrist shot and has a pretty decent slapper to top it off with
- Defensively – Engvall blocks shots, has a great stick and is always in the right position. He never forgets to back either.
- Comparison: If I had to choose on style alone, a bigger version of Connor Brown
- Calle Rosen– Free Agent signing from Sweden in 2017
Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Born: February 2nd, 1994 — Vaxjo, Sweden
Height: 6‘1”
Weight: 195- Background: Another Swedish defencemen that signed with Toronto in 2017. Rosen much different, made the Leafs roster out of camp but only played 4 games and was sent to the Marlies where he put big numbers 4 goals and 22 assists in 62 games and then kicked it up in the AHL playoffs scoring 5 goals 11 assists in 16 games.
- Scouting Report:
- Skating: Slick skater and excellent acceleration. Superb edge work and pivots. His skating ability is the bridge to his two-way game. Rosen could potentially be a top 4 guy if he puts on some lower body weight to make him more difficult to knock off the puck.
- Offence: Amazing vision on the ice, and moves the puck well. He can retrieve dump-ins and skate them out effectively. Rosen is not a big risk taker and rarely jumps into the rush. Makes simple but smart plays at the blue and keeps the puck moving. Rosen has a good shot but it’s not overpowering
- Defence: Rosen brings a solid defensive game, his speed keeps players in front of him and Rosen has a fantastic stick that causes a lot of turnovers. He then takes the puck and turns it into instant offence.
- Comparison: Closest Style comparison would be Kris Letang (with less offence and better defence)
- Yegor Korshev – Drafted in the 2nd round, #31 overall, in 2016
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Left
Born: July 10th, 1996 — Novosibirsk, Russia
Height: 6‘4”
Weight: 180 lbs- Background: Korshev continues to improve every season setting career highs in points every year the last 3 years.
- Scouting Report:
- Skating: Korshev has good skating and good acceleration and is very strong on his skates. He uses the balance and strength on his skates to cradle the puck and fight through the checks.
- Offence: Great stickhandler will dangle you one on one. Excellent playmaker and uses his stickhandling and positioning to make room for his teammates. He needs to put on more weight, loves the cycle game and wins tons of puck battles with his size. Which will get better as he puts more weight on and grows into his body. Has high end hockey IQ and always seems to make the smart play. Has a decent wrist shot but could improve his release. Korshev scores the majority of his goals from right around the night using his big body. Can also score by rebounds, tip-ins and one timers.
- Defence: Korshev brings a gritty game to defence, loves to hit. His stick is huge at cutting down lanes and he’s in position pretty well all the time, from time to time he makes the normal young player makes while playing defence.
- Comparison: Closest comparison of style Nikolai Kulemin. But with more high ends to his game.
4. Jeremy Bracco– Drafted in the 2nd round, #61 overall in 2015- Kitchener Rangers
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Born: March 17th, 1997 — Freeport, New York
Height: 5‘10”
Weight: 190 lbs
- Background: Bracco had a solid first season with the Marlies, although he was scratched for most of the AHL playoffs due to the Leafs sending back players like Andreas Johnsson and Carl Grundstrom to the Marlies for their playoff run. Bracco has always been talked about for his diminutive size and told he might never make an NHL roster because of it.
- Scouting Report:
- Skating: If you’re a small forward in the NHL, there’s one thing you need to have to make up for it. Bracco has enough speed to pass it on to 5 more players. Excellent speed, acceleration and edge work to avoid defenders on a dime.
- Offence: Bracco has great hands that always make him dangerous off the rush with his insane speed. He has fantastic vision and passing skills which make him the ideal playmaker. Bracco has a good wrist shot but is hesitant to shoot it, that will be something that needs to change, as it did with Mitch Marner. The one thing you’ll about this kid is he’s not afraid to go to the dirty areas.
- Defence: This is where Bracco needs work. He has tendency to not back check hard and to fly the zone early. He won’t earn any roster spots playing like that in the NHL. Especially not under Mike Babcock.
- Comparison: Closest comparison Johnny Gaudreau
5. Andreas Borgman– Free Agent signing from Sweden in 2017
Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Born: June 18th, 1995 — Stockholm, Sweden
Height: 6‘0”
Weight: 212 lbs
Background: Borgman was a free agent signing who made impact on last years roster. He won a spot right out of camp and played in 48 NHL games. This season he faired so well, with Ozhiganov, Holl, Rosen and Marincin outplaying him for the final spot.
Scouting Report:
Skating: Decent skater, with adequate edgework and a strong lower body that helps him win puck battles
Offence: Borgman’s slapper is a force to be reckoned with. A bomb and accurate, he finds ways to get it through. But an even bigger weapon for the Swede is his wrist shot. Borgman has a good first pass and stretch pass. His stickhandling, and poise with the puck is decent as well. Borgman is not afraid to take chances and join the rush and even can skate the puck out of danger.
Defence: Borgman’s defensive game needs work. He plays a very physical brand of hockey but he needs to pick his spots better when throwing hits. His physicality tends to make him out of position.
Comparison: Closest comparison Colton Parayko
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