Maple Leafs Nation Prospect Rankings: Honourable Mentions

Yesterday was our list of Leafs prospects who went completely unranked across our panel of sixteen writers. Today we’re looking at players received some, but not quite enough consideration to make the list. The honourable mentions seem to speak to a level of uncertainty of the long term goaltending depth, and some cautious optimism around late round picks.

Ryan McGregor of the Sarnia Sting received a single vote at 19th (by me) largely out of my desire to believe the Leafs have centers in their pipeline and on trusting a couple of prospect watching friends who have assured me that McGregor is someone to not count out. If McGregor has any success in the pro ranks it seems like it will be a depth role, but it seems he’s a smart enough player that he’ll find a way to make it.

James Greenway received a single placement of 18th overall by one of voters, and despite a very rough year that saw Greenway exit the University of Wisconsin program, that doesn’t change the fact he’s exhibited some skill to go with his size and physical play. This seems like a make or break season, and that seems like an understatement.

Martins Dzierkals refuses to go away and the Leafs still have his rights, so that’s not a bad thing. There has been slow, but steady progress which is why one of our writers ranked him 17th.

Zachary Bouthillier is the first goaltender on our honourable mentions, and was ranked by two of writers, but no higher than 19th. Bouthillier is young and new to the Leafs system, so we’ll see if his stock goes up, but for those going by the numbers it’s a hard sell to rank Bouthillier.

Mason Marchment was a hard sell for me personally since I gave up my Leafs fandom for the year his Dad played in Toronto. Three of our writers are fans, and one of them ranked him 9th. His effort and intangibles will likely carry him far and he hasn’t looked out of place in the AHL.

Ian Scott is the second goaltender on our list, and was ranked by four writers (14th being the highest ranking). Scott has seen a good amount of playing time in the WHL, but his numbers struggle due to a bad Prince Albert team. Good days are coming for Scott as he earns his chance with the Growlers or Marlies, but for now he remains under appreciated.

Riley Stotts some of us were excited about a new playmaking center being drafted (5 of us), but the majority think it’s too soon to be excited about Stotts who has a chance to take on a bigger role with the Calgary Hitmen this year. Potential middle six centers always have value and I’d expect his stock to rise. The highest ranking this year for Stotts was 14th.

Fedor Gordeev received five top twenty rankings, just like Stotts, but unlike Stotts he had a 12th overall ranking. The size has always been then for Gordeev, but the stride and skill are beginning to emerge. Once Gordeev gets away from Flint we might all have a better understanding of what he can do. While I didn’t rank Gordeev in my top twenty, I appreciate that the Leafs have continued to gamble on finding the unicorn that is the jumbo sized, physical skilled defenseman.

Kasimir Kaskisuo rounds out our list, and he was ranked by half (8) of our writers. He didn’t place higher than 12th on any list, but considering he held down an AHL job in Chicago last year, and depending on how the Leafs goaltending depth shakes out, he could potentially be “the guy” on the Marlies this year. Kaskisuo’s upside might just be AHL starter or emergency call up, and when you consider that, maybe the writers who didn’t rank him had the right idea.

Now that we’ve covered off the guys who didn’t make the top 20, you can expect a prospect profile every weekday until we reach our #1 overall prospect. I can feel the excitement.