Maple Leafs Prospect Roundup: 2025-26 Prospect Primer

Ben Danford

Danford was forced to miss his first NHL training camp a year ago after suffering a head injury in rookie camp, but he took full advantage of his opportunity this time around and has made a strong impression on Berube and the rest of Toronto’s coaching staff. Danford hasn’t gotten into a game since early in the preseason, but when he did play, he was featured most notably alongside Oliver Ekman-Larsson in NHL-heavy lineups, and he acquitted himself extremely well. The 2024 first-rounder isn’t flashy by any means, but he has good feet and makes a strong first pass, while prioritizing defensive play. The way he was able to simplify things in his first taste of NHL preseason action was encouraging, and it helped him stick around to the end of camp. The Leafs haven’t made anything official yet, but Danford will be reassigned to the Oshawa Generals of the OHL in the coming days, and the focus for him this season will be expanding his offensive game with eyes on pushing for an NHL job next fall. Already on the radar for Canada’s roster at the upcoming World Juniors, showing that he can help drive offence from the back end while continuing to neutralize the opponents’ best players could make him a lock.

Dennis Hildeby

Fresh off a three-year extension at the beginning of September, Hildeby came into camp firmly entrenched as the Leafs’ number three netminder. That quickly changed when Joseph Woll took a leave of absence due to family reasons, and with the uncertainty of when he might return, Hildeby’s importance to this Leafs team has come into focus. The Leafs also brought in veteran James Reimer on a PTO in an effort to solidify the team’s depth between the pipes, but as of this writing, he has not been signed to an NHL contract. There are also a handful of intriguing netminders on the waiver wire as clubs finalize their NHL rosters, so the Leafs could still make another move, but the team has to be encouraged with the way Hildeby played in the preseason. Through three appearances, he put together a .920 SV% and a GAA of just 1.85, while Reimer struggled in his lone outing to close out the exhibition schedule. Barring another addition, Hildeby appears primed to take on the non-Anthony Stolarz starts until Woll returns, but the team could opt to keep him playing in the AHL between those appearances while having Reimer or another veteran serve as Stolarz’s backup in the meantime.

Luke Haymes

Haymes was considered by many to be the top prize in last year’s undrafted free agent class, and he has established himself as a legitimate NHL prospect in short order. He got into nine games with the Marlies after signing his entry-level contract last spring, notching a pair of goals to go along with four assists, and he made a strong impression during his first NHL training camp this fall. Toronto’s prospect pool isn’t exactly overflowing with centers, but Haymes didn’t look overmatched at any point while playing down the middle against NHL-level competition. Based on how he was slotted for much of the preseason, Haymes may have already surpassed the likes of Jacob Quillan on the depth chart, and he could be a top call-up option when injuries inevitably arise with the NHL club. For now, he’ll begin the season centering one of the Marlies’ top two lines, but the Leafs clearly believe they have something in Haymes.

Jacob Quillan

Quillan broke out in the second half of the AHL season in 2024-25, proving to be one of John Gruden’s most reliable forwards with the Marlies. He came into training camp looking to push for a depth role, or at least establish himself as a top recall option, but Quillan’s camp was a bit underwhelming. There is a lot to like about Quillan’s game – he’s competitive, plays fast, and understands his defensive responsibilities down the middle, but he was just never able to get much going throughout the preseason. He and Haymes are in similar spots, and it will likely come down to whichever one is performing at the highest level if and when the Leafs need someone to fill a hole at center.

Noah Chadwick

Entering his first year of pro hockey, Chadwick didn’t get a look during Toronto’s preseason schedule. Despite a productive junior career, he was never a threat to push for an NHL job this fall, but getting to practice alongside established NHLers in preparation for his rookie season in the AHL can only be a good thing. Chadwick possesses NHL size, and he has shown the ability to quarterback a power play while leading the offensive charge from the back end, but he will have to continue to improve his overall mobility and defensive game with the Marlies before he’s in the conversation for NHL minutes. Look for him to start in a depth role with the Marlies, perhaps with an opportunity to quarterback their second power play unit when he’s in the lineup.

William Villeneuve

Why will Chadwick be relegated to the second unit? Well, because Villeneuve has the first unit on lockdown. The 2024-25 season was something of a breakout for Villeneuve, usurping Topi Niemelä on his way to career highs in goals, assists, points, and plus/minus. Despite the strong season he put together, Villeneuve’s preseason opportunities were limited, but the Leafs were able to get him through waivers in order to have him start the season with the Marlies once again. It will depend on the specific need, but should an injury arise to one of the Leafs’ more offensively inclined blueliners like Morgan Rielly or Ekman-Larsson, Villeneuve could be in line for his first shot at the NHL this season.

Artur Akhtyamov

The 2024-25 season was Akhtyamov’s first in North America, and he came out of the gates extremely hot while Hildeby went back and forth between the NHL and AHL. He cooled off considerably as the season progressed, but still finished with a respectable .901 SV% through 26 appearances. Akhtyamov got into three games for the Leafs during the preseason this fall, and while he had some impressive moments, his overall numbers weren’t great. He will once again begin the season with the Marlies and should see plenty of playing time while Woll remains away from the Leafs, but without another addition, Akhtyamov is currently one injury away from being thrust into a backup role in the NHL.

Tyler Hopkins

Widely projected to hear his name called in the second round, Hopkins fell to the Leafs in the third round of last summer’s draft. The Kingston Frontenacs pivot had a strong showing through rookie camp and the Prospect Showcase in Montreal, and he has carried that back to the OHL to begin the season. Through five games centering Kingston’s first line, Hopkins has two goals and two assists while playing in all situations. He’s a few years away from pushing for NHL minutes, but Hopkins has the tools to get there. He’s a strong skater down the middle, has good hands and vision as a playmaker, and his defensive game has taken major strides since his junior career began. He hasn’t proven to be a gamebreaker at the junior level just yet, but no one should be surprised if he breaks out in a big way this year.

Tinus Luc Koblar

Koblar was Toronto’s first pick in the 2025 draft at 64th overall, and though he flew under the radar in the pre-draft process, he is looking to put himself more squarely on the map this season. Koblar didn’t dominate Sweden’s J20 Nationell league last year by any means, but the Leafs are banking on his intriguing toolkit continuing to develop. They like his size, skating ability, offensive creativity, and willingness to compete in the tough areas of the ice. As one of the youngest players taken in the 2025 draft, there is plenty of runway for Koblar to grow into a viable NHL option, and he has already taken steps in that direction this season. Still just 18 years of age, he has earned an opportunity at Sweden’s top level in the SHL and picked up his first SHL goal in his first game with Leksands’ senior club. He has been held without a point in the five games since then, but his ice time has ticked up, and his role could continue to grow as the season progresses.

Nick Moldenhauer

Moldenhauer is looking to get back on track after a disappointing sophomore season at the University of Michigan, and he got off to a good start on the opening weekend of the NCAA season. Michigan weren’t exactly facing top-tier competition in their two-game set against Mercyhurst, dominating them in both games, but it still had to feel good for Moldenhauer to get on the board early. He has been playing on the Wolverines’ second line with Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage and New York Rangers prospect Malcolm Spence, so the opportunity for a bounce-back year is right in front of Moldenhauer, and he could put himself in the conversation to earn an NHL contract with a productive season.

Miroslav Holinka

Toronto’s fifth-round pick from the 2024 draft parlayed a strong first season in North America into an entry-level contract with the Leafs this past summer. Holinka put together an impressive 2024-25 campaign, notching 45 points in 47 games with the Edmonton Oil Kings, and he added four more points in seven games for Czechia at the World Juniors. He’s gotten off to another strong start this season after being reassigned to the Oil Kings, with four goals and an assist through his first three games. Holinka probably isn’t going to be an offensive star at the pro level, but his combination of skill and intelligence could help him grow into a solid depth option over the next couple of seasons.

Statistics from EliteProspects.com