The Toronto Maple Leafs were active at the trade deadline and made upgrades to their roster at the expense of their prospect system.

To fit in the likes of Brandon Carlo and Scott Laughton, the Leafs had to give up first-round picks in each deal and also found themselves parting with Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin, respectively. While some fans are sad to see them go, given the promise they showed when both got stints in the NHL this season, the reality of the trade deadline is that you have to give to take, which is what GM Brad Treliving was able to pull off with his two big moves.

The loss of Grebenkin, in particular, hit parts of the fanbase hard because he endeared himself quickly with his upbeat attitude, his hilarious one-liners, and – crucially –  his workmanlike attitude where he gave an honest effort every time he stepped on the ice. He was showing glimpses of being an effective winger who could be a nuisance to opponents, be solid on the forecheck, and not be afraid to mix it up in scrums. In other words, the kind of player that would thrive in playoff-style hockey.

While it was tough to see him go to a team in the Philadelphia Flyers that likes guys like Grebenkin, the Leafs can rest easy knowing they have an internal replacement in prospect Borya Valis.

The recently signed prospect forward is currently in his overage season with the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, where he sits third on the team in scoring with 78 points (33 goals and 45 assists) in 62 games played. The 6’2″ and 192-pound right-winger is seen as a powerful and elusive skater with strong playmaking abilities and a high work ethic that has made him one of the Cougars’ most reliable players this season.

Part of why he didn’t generate much NHL attention before this season was a lack of consistent results and his defensive play. A move to Prince George in December 2023 made Valis realize that the clock was ticking on his NHL dreams if he didn’t fix that part of his game, and he was highly motivated to become a 200-foot player. It has paid off in strides, and he is now seen as a guy who can do it all and be counted on in all situations.

“The staff has had a lot of interest in him for a while,” Treliving said on why he signed Valis. “He’s got a two-way game. He’s got offensive instincts. He’s got good size, skates well. He’s one of those guys, a late-developing player. But our guys were really excited to get something done with him. They’ve been tracking him all year.”

The goal linked here is a prime example of the type of player Valis now is and why the Leafs decided to give him an ELC. He turned on the jets to apply pressure on the forecheck and force the defenceman to retreat back into his own zone. Valis stayed with it by swiping at the loose puck and gaining separation to get the middle of the ice to himself. From there, he made a power move in tight and tucked it in on the backhand for the insurance marker.

Combine that with his growth as a leader and continued commitment to getting better, and he should have little trouble endearing himself to the coaching staff, regardless of whether that be in the NHL or AHL.

“I think I’ll do whatever I can to help the team win,” Valis told Daily Faceoff’s Colton Davies. “Whether it’s blocking shots, scoring goals, or even handing out water on the bench—I’ll do whatever I can to contribute.”

While no two players can be exactly alike, Valis shares similar traits to what made Leafs fans fall in love with Grebenkin in the first place. The fact that he is eligible for the Toronto Marlies next season means that he won’t be far removed from being a potential call-up option for the Leafs once he has gotten some seasoning in the AHL and established himself in the pros.

Grebenkin had the added benefit of having prior KHL experience, but the reason he got a chance this season was because of that workmanlike attitude. Valis has that element in his game but also has more offensive upside, which may help explain why they felt comfortable giving up Grebenkin to acquire Laughton.

Of course, Valis still has a ways to go before he is a legitimate option for the Leafs. His focus currently is on the WHL playoffs and ideally capping off his junior career with a Memorial Cup championship. And when he does turn pro, he will likely spend all of next season in the AHL while he gets comfortable playing at the next level. With how things have gone for him and the type of player he is, Valis is going to quickly become a player Leafs fans will be getting excited about. On a team that doesn’t have a lot of high draft picks available to them, this is the kind of bet that could pay off in strides if it turns out Valis is indeed a diamond in the rough.