5 Maple Leafs standouts from the 2026 Prospects Challenge

Toronto’s 2026 second-round pick was much better against Winnipeg, and it showed up in the scoresheet. Bilecki quickly fired a puck on goal for a 3-1 lead, after Miroslav Holinka’s pass hit Tinus Luc Koblar in the skates, and the 18-year-old jammed it home.

Bilecki is Daily Faceoff Toronto’s fifth-ranked prospect, and could ascend through this list by next summer. He was one of the clear standouts at development camp, and I’ve likened him to Alec Martinez. There were identifiable flaws in Bilecki’s game to be clear, but his skating, poise and gap control were all evident, and he’s in line to take another step as Kitchener defends its Memorial Cup title.

Vinny Borgesi

Borgesi was somewhat of an unknown quantity entering the prospects challenge, even though there was plenty of buzz after he signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs on March 17. The 22-year-old recorded one assist in seven games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, but did not participate during the team’s Calder Cup title run. Borgesi will certainly be competing for a larger role with the Marlies this fall, and he was arguably Toronto’s best overall player through both games.

The 5-foot-8 defenceman will certainly be a polarizing prospect, but his skills certainly popped. Borgesi’s lateral skating and aggressiveness were self-evident, as he extended multiple plays in the offensive zone at the blue line, and he’s naturally suited as a power play quarterback. Borgesi makes smart reads to his wingers, and keeps his feet constantly moving. It’s clear that his size has been prohibitive to many teams, but Borgesi’s skill set stood out, and he scored a clever goal off the rush, flying down the wing against Winnipeg on Sunday.

It was a great week for Borgesi. My colleague Steven Ellis highlighted Borgesi as one of the best players at Friday’s practice, and you wouldn’t find any arguments here. We’ll certainly be monitoring Borgesi more closely, if only for the fact that he plays a really attractive game, with speed, playmaking and an appetite to create one-timers for his wingers.

Hayes Hundley

Hundley was even more of an unknown quantity, but he was the best player at Friday’s practice, Gavin McKenna notwithstanding. I wrote in my practice notebook that my positive evaluation of Hundley was solely based on what he displayed Friday, where he was the most vocal player on the ice, and was tenacious in battle drills.

This form extended into the weekend, where Hundley was one of the Maple Leafs’ most poised players, showing great gap control in both contests. Hundley’s three-year, entry-level contract kicks in this season, signing with the Maple Leafs in March. The 20-year-old played in one game with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies last season, and the right-handed defenceman will be fighting for playing time this year. Marlies head coach Steve Sullivan certainly had to be impressed with what he saw over the course of the weekend.

Tinus Luc Koblar

Koblar makes this list solely on his performance from Sunday, where he was easily Toronto’s best player. Koblar registered three assists for the Maple Leafs, and he was showing up in the dirty areas as well. The 6-foot-2 forward used his frame better than ever, and was firmly engaged in puck battles. He made himself available as an outlet for his wingers, and did some great work in the low cycle.

Koblar’s pace also gave the Jets some problems, and he set up Borgesi’s goal off the rush. There were times where Koblar looked stiff and nervous against the Senators, but he responded with an excellent performance, and a truer indication as to why the Maple Leafs believe he could compete for an NHL roster spot next fall. It’s clear that he implemented Steve Sullivan’s feedback into his game on Sunday, and it was a great way for the 19-year-old to conclude the weekend.

Harry Nansi

Harry Nansi was the Leafs’ most improved prospect at July’s development camp, and put together another excellent week. Nansi’s significantly improved skating and quiet confidence are major reasons why he’s poised to have a standout fourth season with the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack. Although he’s a natural centre, Nansi is often asked to play on the wing. He primarily was used at centre during Toronto’s loss to Ottawa, where he was arguably the team’s most consistent skater throughout the game.

Nansi did an excellent job of extending the zone, winning a puck back, then drove the net. Sawyer Boulton deflected Nansi’s shot for the game’s opening goal on Saturday. Nansi did some really good work with Tyler Hopkins and Cooper Williams on the low cycle throughout the contest, and tracked back as F3 with a true sense of defensive responsibility.

Nansi had another Grade-A chance turned away by Ottawa’s Jackson Parsons, where he flew through the middle of the ice. He did some great work on the penalty kill as well, which led to Borya Valis’ shorthanded breakaway goal in the third period. Although it was a quieter day for Nansi on Sunday against Winnipeg, he notched an empty-net goal, and was engaged in all parts of the game as a winger.

Daily Faceoff Toronto spoke to Nansi following Friday’s practice, where it’s clear that the 19-year-old, who celebrated his birthday on September 10, is expected to be one of the OHL’s best players this fall.

READ MORE: Maple Leafs’ Harry Nansi poised for massive 4th OHL season with improved skating, quiet confidence