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TLN After Dark: Is Fraser Minten ready for the next step?
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Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Zack Phillips
Nov 27, 2024, 09:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 27, 2024, 07:27 EST
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It’s only been two games of NHL action for the 20-year-old Fraser Minten, but he’s looked terrific so far.
With a goal (the game-winner against Vegas) and an assist in his first two games, Fraser Minten has earned opportunities in more prominent roles on this team, mainly occupying the net-front role in the absence of Matthew Knies. Whether it’s a spot on the first power play, the centre spot on the third line being deemed “The Kid Line”, or even a brief stint on the penalty kill, Minten has stepped up and made the most of his chances through his first couple of games.
When Minten and Nikita Grebenkin were first called up to the team, I initially thought this was strictly about necessity, and for the most part, it was. But now that we’ve seen Minten in action and heard the praise of his teammates and coaches, I’m starting to wonder if he could make a case to remain with the big boys and potentially push someone out.
“He’s great. I think he’s really smart player, really understands the game, really understands his role,” Morgan Rielly said Sunday morning of Minten. “And just a great young man, I got to spend some time with him, he has a great head on his shoulders. He fits right in.”
To have the endorsement of veteran players like Rielly is not only great for Minten’s confidence, but also the confidence of the fan base. We’ve been able to watch him and form our own opinions through his first couple of games but having it backed up by those watching him every day is also very important.
“His attention to detail defensively at that age is pretty surreal to me,” The Leafs Nation’s Nick Alberga said on Leafs Morning Take. “It just seems like he’s a bit older than his years when it comes to the defensive part of the puck.”
On top of stellar defensive play, Minten was awarded the game belt from his teammates after his first game against the Vegas Golden Knights and generated the third most expected goals (0.65 xG per MoneyPuck) in Sunday’s victory over Utah.
Goals and offensive production are great, but proving you’re capable of making a positive impact on the game from a defensive standpoint at age 20 is truly special. His physical and emotional maturity is shining through and if it continues through the next few games while the Leafs remain shorthanded, there’s no reason to me to just send him back for the sake of it. If he earns it, he should stay.
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