Updates on 7 Leafs prospects playing overseas
With this summer's international tournaments now in the rearview mirror, prospects have all returned to their home clubs to prepare for the upcoming seasons in their respective leagues. For the Leafs, there are several European prospects who have already made their preseason debuts - some even taking on more responsibility with their clubs.
In terms of who the Leafs currently have cooking overseas worth keeping track of, there's Roni Hirvonen, Topi Niemela, Kalle Loponen, Nikita Grebenkin (or Grebyonkin), Dmitry Ovchinnikov, Artur Akhtyamov and Vyacheslav Peksa. Here's how each has faired this week, per TLN's Kyle Cushman.
Of the names on this list, I remain most intrigued by (of course) Roni Hirvonen and Topi Niemela, but also Dmitry Ovchinnikov and Vyacheslav Peksa. These are all players, in my mind, who will eventually play for the Leafs. Of course, in Peksa and Ovchinnikov's cases, they'll need more seasoning and the opportunity to play more minutes for their respective KHL clubs. If those opportunities do not come, those are two prospects whom I could see Kyle Dubas pushing to bring over to get some time in with the Leafs' development staff and play meaningful roles with the AHL's Toronto Marlies.
In terms of Hirvonen and Niemela, I believe both are probably near NHL-ready now. We could see one or both get a trial run at the end of their seasons in Liiga, provided the Leafs have a playoff spot secured and have a flex spot or two available for the young Fins to step in and try to make an impression this year before becoming Marlies next year.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 28 | 178 ANSWERS Updates on 7 Leafs prospects playing overseas Who will be first to make the NHL roster on a full-time basis? | ||
| Topi Niemela | 56 | 31.5 % |
| Roni Hirvonen | 60 | 33.7 % |
| Dmitri Ovchinnikov | 28 | 15.7 % |
| Other | 34 | 19.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
