Maple Leafs Prospect Roundup: Minten earns another look, Holinka heating up

Despite being on for a goal against, Minten also showcased his defensive acumen with a great backcheck of his own that helped negate a potential odd-man opportunity for the Lightning. He’ll be expected to contribute offensively as he progresses toward becoming a full-time NHLer, but his mature defensive habits have already helped him earn Berube’s trust and should give him plenty of runway as he gets more comfortable making plays at the top level.

In the meantime, with Tavares on the shelf, the next few weeks should provide the Leafs with plenty of time to evaluate just how close Minten is to that full-time role in the NHL. It is no secret that general manager Brad Treliving would like to add another capable centre to the roster before the trade deadline, and while it’s unlikely that Minten proves ready to be a key part of a playoff lineup this early in his pro career, the Leafs owe it to themselves to take a long look at their homegrown option before committing limited assets to an upgrade from elsewhere.

The bar is low when it comes to offensive contributions from the Leafs’ bottom six, so while it might be asking a lot from a 20-year-old in his first year of pro hockey, chipping in with a bit of offence while being a reliable defensive presence down the middle could give the Leafs a bit of flexibility with how they choose to operate ahead of the deadline.

Notes from the rest of the prospect pool:

• The London Knights picked up a blowout win over the Sudbury Wolves on Friday, and Easton Cowan was a big part of it. He notched two goals and an assist, extending his regular season point streak to 60 games and bringing him to 17 goals to go along with 17 assists in 24 games for the season. With the disappointment of another underwhelming World Juniors behind him, Cowan is showing why he is still one of the top prospects outside the NHL.

• Ben Danford has captained the Oshawa Generals to one of the best records in the OHL this season, and his contributions have started to show up in the box score with more regularity. He tallied an assist in both of Oshawa’s games over the weekend, giving him four helpers in his last four games and 17 points in 40 games so far this season. Danford has started to round into form after a slow start, and his hard-nosed style of play could make him even more crucial to the Generals’ success come playoff time.

• After a couple of games without a point, Nikita Grebenkin got back on the scoresheet with a pretty assist on Matt Barbolini’s third-period tally against Manitoba on Sunday. His ability to make plays along the wall and get pucks to the middle of the ice has helped the 2022 fifth-rounder put together a solid rookie season in the AHL, and he currently sits fourth in team scoring with eight goals and eight assists in 28 games.

• Noah Chadwick keeps piling up points from the blue line for the Lethbridge Hurricanes. He registered an assist on the overtime winner against Tri-City on Wednesday and added two more helpers against the Wenatchee Wild in a 4-2 victory on Friday. Chadwick was held without a point against Spokane on Saturday, leaving him with 10 goals and 22 assists through 40 games this season.
• Miroslav Holinka put together the best performance of his WHL rookie season in Edmonton’s 7-0 win over Moose Jaw on Saturday. He scored twice and added two assists, elevating his totals to 12 goals and 15 assists in 29 games so far this season. Holinka has spent most of the season centring the Oil Kings’ top line, and his blend of skill and attention to the defensive side has made him a hugely important part of their team. Don’t be surprised to see Holinka sign an entry-level contract with the Leafs in the next couple of months.

• It flew under the radar a bit when the Leafs signed Jacob Quillan as an undrafted free agent out of Quinnipiac last spring, but he is growing into a viable NHL prospect. He earned a significant look in his first NHL training camp earlier this fall, and while his production doesn’t jump off the page, it’s clear that the Leafs see him as a potential bottom-six centre at the NHL level. He has been a responsible defensive presence all season, and he put together a big weekend for the Marlies, notching a shorthanded goal as well as a power play marker to go along with two assists in a pair of shutout victories over Manitoba. For the season, Quillan is up to six goals and nine assists in 35 games.

• Sam McCue is settling in nicely with his new team in Flint, and he notched a pair of goals as well as an assist in two games over the weekend. Through four games since being dealt to the Firebirds, he has three goals and two helpers, giving the seventh-rounder 21 goals and 15 assists in 39 games between Owen Sound and Flint.

• Another of Toronto’s 2024 seventh-round picks, Nathan Mayes was drafted for his bruising brand of defensive play, but he has been productive from the back end in recent weeks. He put together back-to-back multi-point games last week, and he has registered a goal and six assists in his last 10 games. Through 32 games with the Spokane Chiefs this season, Mayes has three goals and 14 assists.

Statistics from EliteProspects.com