<p>Welcome back to another installment of TLN&#8217;s February Maple Leafs prospect rankings! Continuing our countdown with the 10th-ranked prospect in the organization, this portion of the prospect pool includes a couple of players with untapped upside and a player who seems to have fallen out of favour with the organization despite showing some real growth in his game over the last couple of years.</p>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2106" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="324"></div>
<p>If you&#8217;ve missed the first half of TLN&#8217;s February Maple Leafs prospect rankings, you can catch up here:</p>
<p><a href="https://publish.theleafsnation.com/2025/02/14/february-maple-leafs-prospect-rankings-20-16/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TLN’s February Maple Leafs prospect rankings: 20-16</a></p>
<p><a href="https://publish.theleafsnation.com/2025/02/18/tln-february-maple-leafs-prospect-rankings-15-11/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TLN’s February Maple Leafs prospect rankings: 15-11</a></p>
<h2><strong>10 | Miroslav Holinka | C | Edmonton (WHL) | Drafted: 2024, 5th round, 151st overall</strong></h2>
<p><a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/maple-leafs-prospect-rankings-miroslav-holinka">Holinka</a> was the first of three fifth-round picks the Leafs made in the 2024 draft, and he has done the most to improve his stock since then. He split his draft year between the Czech junior league and professional ranks and has spent the 2024-25 season playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings after they selected him in the CHL Import Draft. Holinka also represented Czechia at the World Juniors, where he notched a goal and three assists in seven games to help his country earn a bronze medal.</p>
<p>Despite it being his first year with the club, the Oil Kings have leaned on Holinka to fill a prominent role. He has played mostly as their first-line centre while taking on extra minutes on both special teams units. He shows flashes of high-end handling skills and can still try to do too much on his own occasionally, but overall, Holinka&#8217;s game can be described as &#8220;efficient.&#8221; He sees the ice well and understands where he needs to be in most situations, whether supporting the play and hunting space in the offensive zone or covering for a defender who has joined the attack.</p>
<p>Holinka isn&#8217;t an overly physical player, but he has a good stick that helps him initiate and win puck battles, and he has the vision to make a play after coming up with a contested puck. As is the case with most junior players, Holinka will need to add some more pace to his game, but he possesses a lot of tools that could lead to a career as a versatile, two-way center who can handle a depth role in the NHL. Since he was drafted out of Europe, the Leafs have the option to have Holinka advance to the AHL should they choose to sign him before next season, but another year honing his craft in the WHL seems more likely.</p>
<h2><strong>9 | Jacob Quillan | C/W | Toronto (NHL/AHL) | Undrafted FA signing</strong></h2>
<p>The <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/what-jacob-quillan-brings-toronto-maple-leafs">Leafs signed Quillan</a> as an undrafted free agent last spring following an impressive collegiate career at Quinnipiac that included a national championship-clinching overtime winner against Matthew Knies and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Perhaps a bit of a late-bloomer, Quillan has wasted little time making an impression on the Leafs&#8217; coaching staff and earned a call-up for his NHL debut in January.</p>
<p>Quillan, a Nova Scotia native, isn&#8217;t without skill, but it&#8217;s fair to call him more of a meat-and-potatoes kind of player. His production with the Marlies doesn&#8217;t scream &#8220;NHLer,&#8221; but he has plenty of translatable habits and traits to his game that do. The details he plays with and the commitment he shows to the defensive side of the puck earned him a long look in camp in the fall, and he has proven to be an adaptable player who can fill a variety of roles at the AHL level.</p>
<p>Quillan is an intelligent, composed player who is hard on contested pucks, reads off of his linemates well, and shows a competitive edge that accentuates his otherwise average skillset. He has shown some playmaking skill and an ability to finish plays around the net at the AHL level and probably deserves more than the 22 points he has through 42 games this season, but Quillan isn&#8217;t likely to grow into a consistent offensive threat as a pro. Still, he has a chance to carve out a career as a reliable fourth-line centre who can kill penalties and help tilt the ice against other fourth lines.</p>
<h2><strong>8 | Noah Chadwick | LHD | Lethbridge (WHL) | Drafted: 2023, 6th round, 185th overall</strong></h2>
<p>Oftentimes, with late-round draft picks, teams are looking for players with one standout attribute, with the hope that they can eventually develop the rest of their game around that. In the case of Noah Chadwick, his size stood out more than anything on draft day, but he had shown signs of being an offensive driver from the back end, and that part of his game has taken off since the Leafs picked him in the sixth round of the 2023 draft. After registering 20 points in 67 games during his draft year, he has put up 23 goals and 77 assists in 119 games over the last two seasons.</p>
<p>Chadwick patrols the offensive blue line with poise, moving into pass receptions and keeping his feet moving into open space after quickly identifying an open target and hitting them with a crisp pass. He does a good job of getting shots through traffic from the point, but he is also more than comfortable activating from the blue line and getting himself into scoring areas around the net. He does all of this without explosive speed or great four-way mobility, and while many young players need their brains to catch up with their hands and feet to maximize their potential, the opposite can be said for Chadwick.</p>
<p>He is an intelligent defender who looks to utilize his large frame to keep opposing attackers to the outside, but he can be caught compensating for his lack of high-end mobility, leading to poor gaps and easy entries for the opposition. Chadwick isn&#8217;t as physical as you&#8217;d like a 6&#8217;4&#8243;, 210-pound defenceman to be, but he does a good job of clogging up lanes and clearing traffic from in front of the net.</p>
<p>After being named the CHL&#8217;s Scholastic Player of the Year in 2023-24, Chadwick <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/maple-leafs-noah-chadwick-captain-lethbridge-hurricanes">was named captain</a> of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, so he ticks off a lot of boxes beyond his production and skillset as well. The Leafs had seen enough just a few months after they drafted him, signing him to an entry-level contract in December of 2023 &#8211; a rare occurrence for a late-round pick. He&#8217;ll begin his pro career with the Marlies next season, and while he probably tops out as a third-pair guy who can help drive possession, there is a chance he will climb the ladder rather quickly with his size and intelligence.</p>
<h2><strong>7 | Topi Niemelä | RHD | Toronto (AHL) | Drafted: 2020, 3rd round, 64th overall</strong></h2>
<p>One of the top prospects in the organization for the last few years, Niemelä has seemingly fallen down the depth chart this season, but not necessarily through any fault of his own. After a couple of impressive seasons in Liiga, Niemelä embarked on his first full season with the Marlies in 2023-24, playing big minutes and finishing as one of the most productive rookie blueliners in the AHL with 39 points in 68 games. It looked like he was tracking towards being a potential call-up option in 2024-25, but he barely got a sniff in the preseason, and his role has diminished with the Marlies this season.</p>
<p>With Brad Treliving and Craig Berube looking to rebuild the Leafs&#8217; blue line, bigger-bodied depth options like Philippe Myers and Nicolas Mattinen were brought into the fold, perhaps signifying that the slighter, more skillful Niemelä didn&#8217;t fit the archetype the Leafs&#8217; new brass desires.</p>
<p>Whether or not <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/daily-faceoff-maple-leafs-prospect-topi-niemela-trade-candidate-deadline">it&#8217;s with the Leafs</a>, Niemelä has the tools to be an NHL defenceman. He isn&#8217;t overpowering anyone at 6&#8217;0&#8243; and 180 pounds, but he more than makes up for it with his blend of intelligence and competitiveness. His offensive exploits have garnered most of the attention over the last few seasons, and rightfully so; he&#8217;s a slick puck mover who can shake forecheckers and create lanes, he has a great sense of when to jump up into the rush, and he can put the puck in the net.</p>
<p>However, Niemelä&#8217;s defensive instincts are what made him attractive to the Leafs in the 2020 draft, and he has continued to refine that part of his game. He proactively eliminates options for the opposition, stepping into lanes or tying up passing options with precision timing, and he competes hard down low in the defensive zone. Niemelä still needs to add strength to his frame, but he doesn&#8217;t shy away physically and has even dropped the gloves in the AHL. His path to the NHL isn&#8217;t as clear as it once was, but in a system short on quality defensive prospects, Niemelä still has as much upside as anyone.</p>
<h2><strong>6 | Artur Akhtyamov | G | Toronto (AHL) | Drafted: 2020, 4th round, 106th overall</strong></h2>
<p>Akhtyamov has made <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/the-maple-leafs-have-something-in-goaltending-prospect-artur-akhtyamov">steady progress</a> since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 draft, putting up stellar numbers and climbing the ranks in Russia before joining the Marlies this season. He got off to a scorching start in his first season in North America, and even though a midseason dip has brought his numbers back down to earth, it has been a strong rookie campaign for Akhtyamov in the AHL.</p>
<p>He doesn&#8217;t possess ideal size at 6&#8217;2&#8243; and just 170 pounds, but Akhtyamov pairs great positioning with lightning-quick reflexes. He is a fiery competitor who knows he can be aggressive in how he attacks shooters because of his athleticism and quickness. Akhtyamov works to see around screens and battles hard in scramble plays around his net, showcasing the ability to make highlight-reel saves. The Leafs appear to have their goaltending situation sorted out, at least until Anthony Stolarz&#8217;s contract expires after next season, but Akhtyamov has developed to the point where he could be a legitimate NHL option as early as 2025-26. At worst, he&#8217;s solid organizational depth, but he has performed at every level thus far, and he could help solidify the Leafs&#8217; crease for years to come.</p>
<p><em>Statistics from EliteProspects.com</em></p>
<p><strong>Sponsored by bet365</strong></p>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="324" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>


Welcome back to another installment of TLN's February Maple Leafs prospect rankings! Continuing our countdown with the 10th-ranked prospect in the organization, this portion of the prospect pool includes a couple of players with untapped upside and a player who seems to have fallen out of favour with the organization despite showing some real growth in his game over the last couple of years.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2106" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="324"></div>
If you've missed the first half of TLN's February Maple Leafs prospect rankings, you can catch up here:

<a href="https://publish.theleafsnation.com/2025/02/14/february-maple-leafs-prospect-rankings-20-16/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TLN’s February Maple Leafs prospect rankings: 20-16</a>

<a href="https://publish.theleafsnation.com/2025/02/18/tln-february-maple-leafs-prospect-rankings-15-11/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TLN’s February Maple Leafs prospect rankings: 15-11</a>
<h2><strong>10 | Miroslav Holinka | C | Edmonton (WHL) | Drafted: 2024, 5th round, 151st overall</strong></h2>
<a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/maple-leafs-prospect-rankings-miroslav-holinka">Holinka</a> was the first of three fifth-round picks the Leafs made in the 2024 draft, and he has done the most to improve his stock since then. He split his draft year between the Czech junior league and professional ranks and has spent the 2024-25 season playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings after they selected him in the CHL Import Draft. Holinka also represented Czechia at the World Juniors, where he notched a goal and three assists in seven games to help his country earn a bronze medal.

Despite it being his first year with the club, the Oil Kings have leaned on Holinka to fill a prominent role. He has played mostly as their first-line centre while taking on extra minutes on both special teams units. He shows flashes of high-end handling skills and can still try to do too much on his own occasionally, but overall, Holinka's game can be described as "efficient." He sees the ice well and understands where he needs to be in most situations, whether supporting the play and hunting space in the offensive zone or covering for a defender who has joined the attack.

Holinka isn't an overly physical player, but he has a good stick that helps him initiate and win puck battles, and he has the vision to make a play after coming up with a contested puck. As is the case with most junior players, Holinka will need to add some more pace to his game, but he possesses a lot of tools that could lead to a career as a versatile, two-way center who can handle a depth role in the NHL. Since he was drafted out of Europe, the Leafs have the option to have Holinka advance to the AHL should they choose to sign him before next season, but another year honing his craft in the WHL seems more likely.
<h2><strong>9 | Jacob Quillan | C/W | Toronto (NHL/AHL) | Undrafted FA signing</strong></h2>
The <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/what-jacob-quillan-brings-toronto-maple-leafs">Leafs signed Quillan</a> as an undrafted free agent last spring following an impressive collegiate career at Quinnipiac that included a national championship-clinching overtime winner against Matthew Knies and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Perhaps a bit of a late-bloomer, Quillan has wasted little time making an impression on the Leafs' coaching staff and earned a call-up for his NHL debut in January.

Quillan, a Nova Scotia native, isn't without skill, but it's fair to call him more of a meat-and-potatoes kind of player. His production with the Marlies doesn't scream "NHLer," but he has plenty of translatable habits and traits to his game that do. The details he plays with and the commitment he shows to the defensive side of the puck earned him a long look in camp in the fall, and he has proven to be an adaptable player who can fill a variety of roles at the AHL level.

Quillan is an intelligent, composed player who is hard on contested pucks, reads off of his linemates well, and shows a competitive edge that accentuates his otherwise average skillset. He has shown some playmaking skill and an ability to finish plays around the net at the AHL level and probably deserves more than the 22 points he has through 42 games this season, but Quillan isn't likely to grow into a consistent offensive threat as a pro. Still, he has a chance to carve out a career as a reliable fourth-line centre who can kill penalties and help tilt the ice against other fourth lines.
<h2><strong>8 | Noah Chadwick | LHD | Lethbridge (WHL) | Drafted: 2023, 6th round, 185th overall</strong></h2>
Oftentimes, with late-round draft picks, teams are looking for players with one standout attribute, with the hope that they can eventually develop the rest of their game around that. In the case of Noah Chadwick, his size stood out more than anything on draft day, but he had shown signs of being an offensive driver from the back end, and that part of his game has taken off since the Leafs picked him in the sixth round of the 2023 draft. After registering 20 points in 67 games during his draft year, he has put up 23 goals and 77 assists in 119 games over the last two seasons.

Chadwick patrols the offensive blue line with poise, moving into pass receptions and keeping his feet moving into open space after quickly identifying an open target and hitting them with a crisp pass. He does a good job of getting shots through traffic from the point, but he is also more than comfortable activating from the blue line and getting himself into scoring areas around the net. He does all of this without explosive speed or great four-way mobility, and while many young players need their brains to catch up with their hands and feet to maximize their potential, the opposite can be said for Chadwick.

He is an intelligent defender who looks to utilize his large frame to keep opposing attackers to the outside, but he can be caught compensating for his lack of high-end mobility, leading to poor gaps and easy entries for the opposition. Chadwick isn't as physical as you'd like a 6'4", 210-pound defenceman to be, but he does a good job of clogging up lanes and clearing traffic from in front of the net.

After being named the CHL's Scholastic Player of the Year in 2023-24, Chadwick <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/maple-leafs-noah-chadwick-captain-lethbridge-hurricanes">was named captain</a> of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, so he ticks off a lot of boxes beyond his production and skillset as well. The Leafs had seen enough just a few months after they drafted him, signing him to an entry-level contract in December of 2023 - a rare occurrence for a late-round pick. He'll begin his pro career with the Marlies next season, and while he probably tops out as a third-pair guy who can help drive possession, there is a chance he will climb the ladder rather quickly with his size and intelligence.
<h2><strong>7 | Topi Niemelä | RHD | Toronto (AHL) | Drafted: 2020, 3rd round, 64th overall</strong></h2>
One of the top prospects in the organization for the last few years, Niemelä has seemingly fallen down the depth chart this season, but not necessarily through any fault of his own. After a couple of impressive seasons in Liiga, Niemelä embarked on his first full season with the Marlies in 2023-24, playing big minutes and finishing as one of the most productive rookie blueliners in the AHL with 39 points in 68 games. It looked like he was tracking towards being a potential call-up option in 2024-25, but he barely got a sniff in the preseason, and his role has diminished with the Marlies this season.

With Brad Treliving and Craig Berube looking to rebuild the Leafs' blue line, bigger-bodied depth options like Philippe Myers and Nicolas Mattinen were brought into the fold, perhaps signifying that the slighter, more skillful Niemelä didn't fit the archetype the Leafs' new brass desires.

Whether or not <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/daily-faceoff-maple-leafs-prospect-topi-niemela-trade-candidate-deadline">it's with the Leafs</a>, Niemelä has the tools to be an NHL defenceman. He isn't overpowering anyone at 6'0" and 180 pounds, but he more than makes up for it with his blend of intelligence and competitiveness. His offensive exploits have garnered most of the attention over the last few seasons, and rightfully so; he's a slick puck mover who can shake forecheckers and create lanes, he has a great sense of when to jump up into the rush, and he can put the puck in the net.

However, Niemelä's defensive instincts are what made him attractive to the Leafs in the 2020 draft, and he has continued to refine that part of his game. He proactively eliminates options for the opposition, stepping into lanes or tying up passing options with precision timing, and he competes hard down low in the defensive zone. Niemelä still needs to add strength to his frame, but he doesn't shy away physically and has even dropped the gloves in the AHL. His path to the NHL isn't as clear as it once was, but in a system short on quality defensive prospects, Niemelä still has as much upside as anyone.
<h2><strong>6 | Artur Akhtyamov | G | Toronto (AHL) | Drafted: 2020, 4th round, 106th overall</strong></h2>
Akhtyamov has made <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/the-maple-leafs-have-something-in-goaltending-prospect-artur-akhtyamov">steady progress</a> since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 draft, putting up stellar numbers and climbing the ranks in Russia before joining the Marlies this season. He got off to a scorching start in his first season in North America, and even though a midseason dip has brought his numbers back down to earth, it has been a strong rookie campaign for Akhtyamov in the AHL.

He doesn't possess ideal size at 6'2" and just 170 pounds, but Akhtyamov pairs great positioning with lightning-quick reflexes. He is a fiery competitor who knows he can be aggressive in how he attacks shooters because of his athleticism and quickness. Akhtyamov works to see around screens and battles hard in scramble plays around his net, showcasing the ability to make highlight-reel saves. The Leafs appear to have their goaltending situation sorted out, at least until Anthony Stolarz's contract expires after next season, but Akhtyamov has developed to the point where he could be a legitimate NHL option as early as 2025-26. At worst, he's solid organizational depth, but he has performed at every level thus far, and he could help solidify the Leafs' crease for years to come.

<em>Statistics from EliteProspects.com</em>

<strong>Sponsored by bet365</strong>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="324" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>

TLN’s February Maple Leafs prospect rankings: 10-6

Recent articles from Nick Richard

Breaking News