2024 NHL Draft Class: Toronto Maple Leafs Prospect Breakdown

The landscape of Toronto Maple Leafs prospects was significantly changed at the deadline as the team shipped off some of its better prospects in Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin. After years of deadline buying, the Leafs’ lack of draft capital is far more obvious than their track record of playoff success. Without first-round picks in the next three drafts, this is a trend that is likely to continue.

Still, the Leafs have not forsaken the future entirely. There is still some hope for internal improvements, but most of the Leafs’ prospect pool is further away. Although the team will enter its first season under Mark Leach as director of amateur scouting, their 2024 draft might be a reason for optimism. One year after being drafted, there have been many positive signs from the group, despite most being late-round picks. Let’s take a closer look at the Leafs’ 2024 draft class to see how they fit into the Leafs’ future, as well as how the 2025 draft might unfold.

First round

In what will likely be a rare first-round selection for the Leafs, Ben Danford is hardly typical of a first-round prospect. Along with Easton Cowan, Danford is regarded as the Leafs’ best prospect, excluding goalies Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov. A mobile, defensive-minded right-shot defenceman, Danford is more substance than style.

Though his offensive totals were somewhat underwhelming, Danford received praise for his efforts. Named to the OHL’s third all-defensive team, Danford’s strengths and improvements are well recognized. He will never score his way into the NHL, but Danford is thought of as highly likely to make it to the league all the same.

The timeline remains long, as it does for the rest of this draft class, but the arrival of Danford could align with the waning of Chris Tanev. There is still a long way to go, but Danford is a solid addition to the prospect pool.

Fourth round

Though quite slight when he was drafted, there remains a belief that Victor Johansson’s body will continue to grow based on his family’s history. The left-shot defenceman grew his offensive game this past season, his production in Sweden’s junior league taking a huge step. Johansson was able to continue this production into the playoffs as well, at nearly a point per game.

The more impressive feat might be that Johansson earned a call up to the SHL, appearing in five games this season. Putting it all together makes for a strong progression so far for the fourth-round pick. Although not expected to be an offensive dynamo, Johansson has puck skills and skating worth monitoring.

If his body and mind continue to grow, there is certainly a path towards NHL relevance for Johansson. A good step for next season would be to survive as an SHL regular. His production should not be too much of a concern as a rookie, as any expectations here should be delayed until the 2026–27 season. At the very least, some time to build an NHL body will be beneficial.

Perhaps 2027–28 would be an appropriate time for Johansson to make the jump to North America. He would likely need some seasoning in the AHL, but with a season or two of strong play in the SHL, a conversation for more might be within reach.

Fifth round

From a fifth-round pick, some early flashes are a good enough sign as can be hoped for. There is still a long way to go, but progress is worth noting, as the Leafs took three players in the round.

First, Miroslav Holinka is a potential centre who impressed at development camp last summer. Although he authored a decent showing at the U20 World Juniors, Holinka’s league play was not exactly stellar in 2024–25. Abandoning a limited role in the Czech professional league, Holinka opted for the WHL. Coming over to a new league, and a new country, midseason is a hurdle.

His offensive production in the WHL was not overwhelming, but a certain level of grace can be afforded for the move across the globe. There are flashes of offensive talents, but Holinka will need to build a defensive reputation to keep pushing up the depth chart.

Alexander Plesovskikh, a winger, increased his production in the MHL. Goaltender Timofei Obvintsev seems to have stagnated, though goalie development is temperamental.

Seventh round

Though the fifth round had some tempered early results, the Leafs seem to have done quite well even later in the draft. There have been positive signs from the Leafs’ three seventh-round selections.

The star here is power winger Sam McCue. Already traded twice in his OHL career, McCue’s game seems to be improving at each stop. McCue’s increased goal production was noticeable early in the season, truly exploding after being dealt. With 18 goals in 20 games down the stretch with the Flint Firebirds, there might be a decent power forward for the Leafs to work with down the road.

Nathan Mayes did increase his production on a much stronger Spokane Chiefs team, but the big left-shot defenceman came alive in the playoffs. With 12 points in 20 playoff games, Mayes is showing some skill on both sides of the puck. His frame should give him a reasonable defensive upside, making this offensive growth all the more interesting.

Another left-shot defenceman, Matt Lahey, is committed to play at Michigan State next season. His year in the USHL is a step up from the BCHL in his draft season, but offensive totals will not define Lahey’s progress. A few seasons in college is a great move for Lahey, who could raise his profile if he’s able to climb the Spartans’ depth chart over the next couple of seasons.

Context

The Leafs do have a few prospects who might make their way into an NHL game next season, like Easton Cowan, Cade Webber, or Dennis Hildeby. This draft class is still years away from that position, but it does appear to be decent work for such little draft capital.

The Leafs really attacked their blueline, prioritizing size with many of their picks. There now appears to be a glut of options on the left side, with Johansson, Lahey, and Mayes joining a group that already has a promising Noah Chadwick. Adding Danford is a win, giving the Leafs some hope on the right, but he alone does not make a system.

Without much draft capital for the next three seasons, the Leafs will have to get creative. Especially at forward, where the team has already begun to subsidize their prospect system in other ways. Luke Haymes joins as an interesting gamble, a centre who might be able to keep pushing up the depth chart, bringing some of the qualities that left with Fraser Minten.

Regardless of how the Leafs’ scouting practices change under Mark Leach, the team clearly values size, defence, and physicality as dimensions. More of the same should be expected, as the Leafs will likely only be making mid to late-round picks over the next few drafts. Hype and hope for the upcoming draft picks will be muted at first; instead, tracking their growth will be the measure of success. The aforementioned Noah Chadwick is a perfect example as a player who did not garner much attention on draft day, rather growing his profile over the next couple of years to the point where he has now become a notable prospect for the Leafs.