Top 20 Maple Leafs Prospects 2018: #7 Dmytro Timashov

It was nice to take a break yesterday to hear about an American goaltender, but it’s time to get back to what these prospect rankings are all about, and that’s loving Swedes. In this case it’s a Ukrainian born Swedish citizen, but we’re counting it and it’s time for us to talk some Dmytro Timashov.

Dmytro is up from 11th overall last year, but he was 8th in 2016. He debuted at 18th on the list in 2015, so he’s definitely being held in the highest regard yet, although I wonder if this is more a commentary on the lack of high end talent that isn’t already on the Leafs, rather than true excitement around Timashov. Personally, I can say I had him 6th based on his long shot potential a 2nd/3rd line winger on the Leafs puts him ahead of the largely role player pack or the recent draftees who still need to define themselves.

If you’re wanting to read some interesting background on Timashov, I’d suggest this profile from 2016. If you’re wanted the basics on Timashov, I’ve got those for you.

Timashov was selected by the Leafs in the 5th round of the 2015 draft. It followed the organization theme of taking undersized wingers that season, and still is only 5’10, but has added weight is now 187 lbs. He’s played both wings, but shoots left, and he’ll turn 22 before the start of the 2018-19 season.

He’s one of those rare Swedish prospects that opted for the CHL route, and he dominated the QMJHL, as many offensive talents do, and represented Sweden in the 2016 World Juniors. This year will be Dmytro’s third full season with the Marlies.

Initially I was a bit bummed out that we have a .51 PPG player in at #7 on our list, but a funny thing happened when I looked a bit closer. Of the “prospects” on the Marlies, Timashov led the way with the exception of soon to be Leaf, Andreas Johnsson. The rest of the points leaders were the career AHL group. It is worth noting that both Jeremy Bracco and Mason Marchment had Timashov beat on points per game.

It’s also intereting to see that Timashov appears to be a very promising playmaker in comparison to other AHLers, and for what it’s worth, his Goals For % was 59.65 (.53 GF% Rel).

The fact that there has been steady improvement for Timashov is also encouraging, but with the departure of players like Kapanen and Johnsson, it will be interesting to see what Timashov can do with a less contested top six role.

Since we’ve already made not of Timashov being one of the top scorers on the Marlies throughout the regular season, and hinted at the marked improvement over his AHL rookie season, we’ll use this space to mention that Timashov was a .6 PPG player in the AHL playoffs, including six goals. Playing a key role on a Calder Cup team is probably something that was very much noted by Kyle Dubas, and as well as the trust that Sheldon Keefe showed in him throughout the year, as he was one of the few guys to not be rotating in and out of the lineup.

Anytime you have a small winger with near 1.5 ppg totals in junior, the expectations are going to be set pretty high, even if you are taken in the 5th round. Timashov has progressed well, but for those expecting absolute late round larceny, you might be disappointed. If you thought that Timashov could be a worthwhile project you could find a place in the NHL by 23 or 24, you’re probably pretty happy. Timashov is by no means “over-ripened” and keeping him in the AHL longer isn’t going to put off anyone. He still shows promise, and would likely be candidate for a callup on a team with less wing depth. The fact that Timashov has added weight and his production hasn’t dropped off because of it is also encouraging.

Here’s a take it for what is comparison that you’ll probably all hate, but I’d put Dmytro Timashov in that Joey Crabb to Nik Hagman class of players. He’s fast, creative, and can produce offense, but not at such a pace that he’s not going to be expected to have a well rounded game, and the offense that he provides will likely be coming on in a bottom six role at the NHL level. Timashov could be a penalty killer that regularly burns the opposition, and could be that bottom six scoring depth that teams appreciate in multiple overtime playoff games.

I’d be happy to be way off, but I think especially with the talent log jam on the Leafs wings, Timashov is going to be fighting Connor Brown for a job, not Andreas Johnsson.

Timashov’s first year with the Marlies he had 24 points. His second year he had 34 points. I’m going to be bold and predict a 44 point season for Timashov. I think he’s going to continue to move in the right direction, and show that he can handle his larger role on the Marlies.

Are the Leafs in the cards for Timashov this season? Probably not. Guys like Jooris and Cracknell probably bumped the developing players further down the recall list, and there are a couple of names either through role, age, or talent that find themselves ahead of Timashov. That being said, trotting him out for a game or two in March or April might be fun.

Timashov has been good. He’ll likely continue to be good, he’s just not NHL good, yet. The running theme of these posts has been to say how important this season is for all of these players, but that really is true of every season for every prospect. The Leafs aren’t going to be making a decision on Timashov in 2018-19, he’s got another year on his contract. Timashov might be one of the few guys who can consider time on their side, and continue his steady improvement without adding layers of stress.