Could Luke Haymes be a Fraser Minten replacement for the Maple Leafs?

When Fraser Minten was traded to the Boston Bruins as part of the Brandon Carlo deal, the initial reaction was excitement. The Toronto Maple Leafs may have assembled the best group of defencemen they’ve ever had going into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but then came the question: what centre depth do the Maple Leafs have left?

On March 24, that changed, when the Maple Leafs signed arguably the top NCAA free agent available in Luke Haymes from Dartmouth College to a two-year entry level deal that will start in 2025-26. In 83 career NCAA games, Haymes recorded 41 goals and 70 points. Haymes was invited to the Maple Leafs’ development camp last season.

Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis, released a great scouting report article on Haymes, stating that his one-time shot is already NHL ready, while he also has a quick and accurate release. Haymes oozes confidence in the offensive zone while carrying the puck. On the defensive side of things, Haymes has a lot to offer as well, from the puck battles that he wins or breaking up passes by getting his stick into passing lanes well. The one drawback is that he’s an average skater. That shouldn’t hamper him in the big leagues, but he won’t have a speed advantage by any means.

All stuff that you can see in his game, especially with the three games he’s played at the AHL level with the Toronto Marlies. Since signing with Leafs, he’s recorded a goal and an assist, and in those three games his feel for the pro style has been great. You can see him making the smart play while also working hard on being a legit two-way player with purpose in each shift.

Any of this sound familiar?

Fraser Minten, who was drafted 38^th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2022 had a similar scouting report, expect for the fact that Minten has a higher level of physicality. Haymes doesn’t have that same fight yet, but it’s still something you hope he can develop and bring to his game. During Minten’s draft year, he had 20 goals 35 assists for 55 points in 67 games and added six 16 points in 17 playoff games for the Kamloops Blazers, showing that he had an offensive side to his game. But, that wasn’t the only reason he went early in the second round.

He impressed a lot of fans early with his play, and not just because of his offensive side, even though that was there. More impressive were his hard working shifts, and his drive to be a legit 200-foot player — both which showed a high IQ that only continued to develop. When looking at each profile, it turns out the two have a lot more in common than just the style of hockey they play. Haymes is 21 years old while Minten is 20 years old, but both are born in July. Both players are one inch apart from having the exact same build with Minten being six-foot-two, 192 pounds and Haymes six-foot-one, 192 pounds.

It translates on the ice as well. Haymes and Minten might not put up more than 40-50 points a season in the NHL, but that’s not what everyone is in the lineup to do; it takes a complete team to win the Stanley Cup. Many had Minten, before he was traded, penciled in as the Leafs third line centre for years to come and now those same hopeful fans might have the perfect opportunity to pull out their erasers and replace his penciled in name with Haymes.

Now, don’t get me wrong, Minten is the better player at this point, and he’s the one who’s shown he can play at the NHL level effectively. It’s no wonder the Boston Bruins wanted him in return for Brandon Carlo, but Haymes is also no joke, and he seems to have added some depth to the shelves for the Maple Leafs in terms of prospects.