Hayley Wickenheiser Identifies Strengths in Maple Leafs' Pipeline as Development Camp Ends

A few of Toronto's top prospects were a part of the camp, including recent draft picks Easton Cowan, Hudson Malinoski, and Noah Chadwick. Others included Fraser Minten, Topi Niemela, Roni Hirvonen, and more.

"The energy and the attitude of the players was excellent throughout the week," Maple Leafs assistant general manager Hayley Wickenheiser said on Saturday. "We were able to do a good build with skill foundation combined with game-thinking, and then to a final game today."

Having one scrimmage instead of three was a change for the Maple Leafs. But it's a change that Wickenheiser believes will help the prospects develop more.

"The thought behind that was to just see who's done the work when no one's watching," Wickenheiser said. "And how players came in and there was a lot of minor injuries, fatigue, things like that. 

"And so, with another season behind us, we felt like we get enough eyes on our players, enough touches through the season, that we can come in and go back to the skills that build and separate players to the NHL level and then have some game-thinking scenarios, and then one game in the end. 

"And you see today, they play hard and there was a few little injuries through the game. So, you kind of have to manage that as the week goes on."

Toronto rounded out development camp with the lone scrimmage between Team Blue and Team White. It was there where Brandon Lisowsky, a seventh-round draft pick (218th overall) by the Maple Leafs shined, scoring two goals for Team White.

Also on that squad were the three of Nick Moldenhauer, Easton Cowan, and Ty Voit, who didn't score, but showed a lot of chemistry throughout the week and in the scrimmage.

"I thought today they played well as a line, created a lot of chances," Wickenheiser said. "It's one game, you're not evaluating much, or anything. It's a long game with these guys, so you're looking at the progression through the week and where they are right now and where we evaluate them as the season goes on and as their careers develop.

"I think Easton (Cowan) came in and had a really good week. I like the way he plays the game with a lot of passion and energy, and agitating out there. Him and John Fusco going at it a little bit early on, it was good to see. You want to compete, so good for him for doing that and Nick (Moldenhauer) continues to elevate his game as well."

Playing on different teams, though, were the two Russian goaltenders, Artur Akhtyamov and Vyacheslav Peksa, who've both signed entry-level deals with the Maple Leafs.

The two had very impressive camps, proving why they were signed, and why they might have a future at the professional level.

"They're foundational skillset, from feedback from our goalie coaches with John Elkin, everyone's very impressed," Wickenheiser said. "Akhtyamov certainly has separated himself and Peksa right there as well. So, it's exciting. 

"We've got some good goalie depth, I think here, and through the week, those two have really stood out as the top two."

The big question is, will they return to Russia or come to North America in the fall to play for one of the Newfoundland Growlers or Toronto Marlies?

Wickenheiser, after development camp came to a close, confirmed that both netminders will begin next season in Russia.

"They'll be back to Russia and we'll follow them from afar," she said. "The key with them will be just playing time and their development, making sure with Akhtyamov, I think Ak Bars has a very good development scenario. 

"Some of the teams overseas are better than others. And we're comfortable with him being over there and we'll try and maintain as much contact as we can with our Russian players, it's tricky."

One of the fascinating aspects of this camp, compared to last year's, was the talent. All of the usual suspects who you'd expect to impress did, but there was no one player who distanced themselves from the pack.

Sort of like what Matthew Knies did as a prospect this past season with the Maple Leafs.

"We don't have a lot of prospect depth," Wickenheiser said when asked to assess the prospect pipeline. "We're in a different situation here with the big team and trying to build a team to win the Stanley Cup, and so sometimes you give away some of your picks to acquire talent. 

"So, we're trying to build up the players that we have. I think we have some really good players in our system that have made some strides. 

"And our goaltender depth seems to be coming and within the pool that we have, we've got a couple players that are starting to push for that next level, so that's our job, to make sure that we can help these guys translate to the next level with time in the Marlies system and the development model that we have here."

There are two prospects in the Maple Leafs organization who'll have a lot of eyes on them next season. Matthew Knies has shown that he can hang at the NHL level, but can he stick for an entire season?

The other prospect is Nick Robertson, who's dealt with injuries over the last few years. Can he overcome the injury bug and finally make his mark in the NHL like his brother, Jason Robertson?

Wickenheiser says they're "both right on the cusp."

"For Matthew (Knies) to come in and step into the Stanley Cup playoffs, it's not an easy thing to do. He did a very good job of that last year. He came to development camp the year before and it was really eyes wide open for him with what it was going to take. 

"So, these are really important times and moments for these guys to see, 'Okay, this is what I need to do to get to the next level.

"It's the same thing for Nick Robertson, it's just unfortunate with the injuries he's had. He's so driven to want to come in and impress that it's almost like holding him back a little bit."

All of these players have come into development camp over the years and impressed. But was there a player this season, who went under the radar, impressing Wickenheiser and the rest of the Maple Leafs' staff?

Yes, and his name is Albin Sundin, with Wickenheiser saying: "We've all liked" the 18-year-old.

"He's playing in the SHL. A big, strong defender, moves pretty well," she said. "He's very fit, physically fit. His challenge is the speed, matching speed, and being able to defend at the next levels. But he's a guy that's come in that's been impressive."

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