Leafs top prospect focusing on adding size, strength and assertiveness this summer
For Leafs top prospect Fraser Minten, one of his main focuses this summer is to build strength in an attempt to add some mass to his 6'1, 185-pound frame and get a bit bigger. He revealed as much during summer development camp in Toronto just a few short weeks ago.
Leafs AGM, player development, Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser has already noticed some growth and positive changes in Minten's game, even if the 19-year-old doesn't recognize them himself.
He's got a really tricky release, a good release, and it's now just about evolving his tenacity and assertiveness in the way he plays the game to be able to dominate more in different areas of the game, so that when he steps on the ice, other players know he's out there and he can hurt [them] at the WHL level. It's more of a mentality for Fraser and continuing to expand on his physical development." - Wickenheiser on Minten's development over the last year
Even Minten's WHL coach, Shaun Clouston, says that the 19-year-old's intensity and assertiveness have been noticeably improved over the course of the last year.
You want the strength to equate to quickness, to speed, to power in the harder areas, the corners and front of the net. He pushed himself really hard this year. Mentally he knew to get to the highest level, that was going to be important. Lots of nights, he led our team in hits, in takeaways so he understands at a pretty high level that self-awareness and what he needs to do to continue to improve to take his game higher."
Minten remains one of the Leafs' best all-around prospects. Drafted in the 2nd round, 38th overall, in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, the Leafs had Minten ranked much higher than where most draft ranking lists had him placed, perhaps for good reason. While Minten was below the point-per-game mark in 2021-22, posting 55 points in 67 games, he improved drastically in 2022-23, registering 67 points in just 57 games, including a career best 31 goals. He was also a +24 last season, with 55 penalty minutes.
I still believe that Minten is a long-shot to earn a roster spot in training camp this fall, but there's really no reason to rush him along at this point anyway. Another year in the WHL, dominating against players in his own age range will do him a lot of good and then next fall, perhaps he'll be ready to turn pro.
| POLL | ||
4 AOUT | 116 ANSWERS Leafs top prospect focusing on adding size, strength and assertiveness this summer Will Fraser Minten be in the NHL by 2024-25? | ||
| Yes | 56 | 48.3 % |
| No | 18 | 15.5 % |
| Don't rush him. When he's ready, he's ready | 42 | 36.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
