This article is similar to the New England Patriots one I recently did, for those who haven’t read it, please do so.

The future is heating up as far as new talent coming to the Toronto Maple Leafs goes, unlike football; players take longer to develop to get to the professional level, however they are drafted much younger.

In sports, looking ahead to the future is always fun, especially after dismal seasons or seasons of failure. We Leafs fans always say “this is our year” The Leafs have definitely failed as far as winning a Stanley Cup goes, not having one in my lifetime (born 1975) The last Cup Toronto won was 1967.
Lately fans keep hearing 2025 is boom or bust, well if this holds true and Toronto fails again to bring Lord Stanley home, then the time for rebuilding is once again upon them. Toronto has been drafting some more size the past two seasons in hopes the toughness and grit will keep them more competitive.

Not all the players I selected to write about are the big guys they drafted, or in order of their respected ranking, but ones that I feel are going to be up to the big club sooner rather than later to help the Leafs’ chances. Without further adieu let’s take a look at some of the kids that will hopefully set hockey rinks on fire with their blazing speed and blistering shots.

The Maple Leafs top prospect Easton Cowan is a right winger who shoots left and some websites have him listed as a center too. Cowan is a 20 year old from Strathroy, Ontario. Easton Cowan drafted in the 1st round 28th overall in 2023 currently playing for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) having played 3 full seasons with the Knights Cowan’s big season came in the 2023-24 season where he scored 34 goals and 62 assists for a total of 96 points with a +38 and 64 penalty minutes. If you watched more than a highlight or two of Cowan, you’ll know he’s getting better and better, strong skater with a great hockey IQ. Cowan is expected to make the big club this year. How can you not like a hockey player with the first name Easton?

A 1st round pick 31st overall in 2024, Ben Danford, a 19 year old, right handed defenseman who now plays for the Oshawa Generals in the OHL. The Leafs wanting to get bigger and stronger did that in drafting Danford stands 6’4″ weighs 195lbs. Ben is a defensive defenseman, still he tallied 5 goals and 20 assists last season with Oshawa, Danford is a leader; he was named Captain in 2024 for the Generals.

Victor Johansson, a Swedish defenseman, a puzzling move drafting such a small player especially for a defenseman, listed at 6’1″ and only weighing 143lbs. Johansson revealed; “I have struggled previously to put on weight because my appetite was suppressed by my ADHD medication.” (I know this feeling all too well, you do not eat much if at all on stimulants.) After finishing school, Johansson chose to stop taking the meds, which allowed him to put on some weight, adding 20lbs. Still 165lbs is a smaller defender but he has speed and good puck handling. In 2024 Johansson scored 7 goals and 32 assists. Virtually an unknown prospect drafted in the 4th round Victor will now get the chance to introduce himself to the world at the World Juniors for Sweden in the 2025 Summer Showcase.

Borya Valis is an American RW. The Maple Leafs sign undrafted prospect Valis to a 3 year entry level contract. Last year for the Prince George Cougars in of the WHL Borya Valis scored 80 points 34 goals and 46 assists with a +36 and 48 minutes in penalties. At 6’2″ 195lbs, Valis is a call up candidate if and when an injury occurs due to his aggressive crash and bang style of play. Valis is a strong skater who likes to drive hard to the net, he has proven to be more than capable of converting on the scoring chances that he creates. He’s a scorer and a playmaker, he will be a middle 6 forward who is a good forechecker, he has been compared to Zach Hyman former Leafs forward. Valis’ two way play will make him one of the more intriguing prospects not the best one but a very good player, as far as comparisons go sounds like former Bruins player Patrice Bergeron as well.

Artur Akhtyamov a Russian goaltender another 4th round pick. Drafted in 2020. A goalie with quick reflexes. Akhtyamov a little older than some of the other players mentioned here, he is 23 years old. Artur’s first season with the Marlies the Leaf’s minor league affiliate he posted an 11-8 win loss record a 2.81GAA with 3 shutouts. The 3 year contract he did sign was for $2.55M does expire at the end of this upcoming season so its be determined if we actually see him with the big club or not seeing as Toronto’s crease is already with starter Joseph Woll, capable backup netminder Anthony Stolarz and top goaltending prospect Dennis Hildeby. I actually like Arur Akhtymov slightly more than Hildeby personally, but like mentioned, Artur’s contract expires before he could even see his chance as he will become a restricted free agent for 2026.

This being that ‘boom or bust’ year people are speaking of the only player that may get a shot at the cup first will be Easton Cowan most likely. Rebuilds take a few years generally speaking so maybe this new core of players will celebrate hoisting Lord Stanley together at some point in the future. I am not so hopeful that this is the ‘boom’ season as I’ve seen many disappointing seasons in my 40+ years as a Leafs fan, and losing top player Mitch Marner to Vegas really doesn’t help their case in my opinion.

My prediction for the Cup final is Vegas vs Carolina with Vegas winning it.

Stranger things have happened in sports so lets sit back and wait n see what happens.

Let me know what you think in the comments below, feel free to follow me on ‘X’ @HENDO19750 or if you ever want to chat send me a message on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HENDO.1975

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