We are under two weeks to the start of training camp, and with that comes this final entry into the Top 25 Under 25 for 2018: a recap of our list and the votes that got them where they are. A big thank you to those who read every article, took the time to comment and also vote in our community rankings. This has been a great year here at PPP, and it’s because of readers like you.
This year’s top 25 list has more maybes than last year, some players who are still mysteries and lots of professionals. Let’s get right into the PPP writers list.
#25 - Pierre Engvall - W
2017/18 team: HV71, SHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Pierre Engvall has been around the Maple Leafs a long time but finally cracked a Top 25 list. We’ll hopefully get to see him right up close on the Toronto Marlies this season.
#24 - Jordan Subban - D
2017/18 team: Utica Comets/Ontario Reign, AHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Jordan Subban’s first year in Toronto gets him a low spot on the list. Some people thought he should be ranked, others see him as another diamond in the rough that the Marlies can polish into an NHL ready player like Mason Marchment or Justin Holl.
#23 - Mason Marchment - LW
2017/18 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Speaking of projects, Mason Marchment came into the T25 list nice and low. Not setting expectations too high or too low.
#22 - Dmytro Timashov - W
2017/18 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Timashov was knocked down a few spots by shiny new toys but many are looking forward to his upcoming AHL season, which should either show he can up his game to surpass the AHL level or not.
#21 - Yegor Korshkov - RW
2017/18 team: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. KHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. KHL
The mystery player from Russia won’t be joining the Maple Leafs or Marlies once again, choosing to stay in the KHL another season.
#20 - Semyon Der-Arguchintsev - C
2017/18 team: Peterborough Petes, OHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Peterborough Petes, OHL
Everyone’s favourite new abbreviation debuts at #20. He’ll stay in the OHL this season and help the Petes get over being spurned by Will Cuylle.
#19 - Eemeli Rasanen - D
2017/18 team: Kingston Frontenacs, OHL
2018/19 team: Jokerit, KHL
Rasanen has left the world of major junior hockey for the big bucks of the KHL in Finland. Avoiding an overstocked Marlies D-corps or a trip to Newfoundland, he debuted in his KHL role as the 7th D and got no playing time. Things can only go up from here, right?
#18 - Sean Durzi - D
2017/18 team: Owen Sound Attack, OHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Owen Sound Attack, OHL
The Marlies don’t need more D and if I had the choice, it would be the O over the E. Way better travel and accommodations. He isn’t signed yet so I’m confident he’ll go back down after camp. The Attack are full of overagers, so that’s an issue for them to figure out.
#17 - Jeremy Bracco - RW
2017/18 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
The 21 year old Bracco is heading into his second pro-season, and looking to play a full season over being scratched on occasion.
#16 - Adam Brooks - C
2017/18 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Working his way up the centre depth chart for the Marlies, Brooks is trying to establish himself as a good pro centre and eventually take that 4C role.
#15 - Trevor Moore - C/LW
2017/18 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Some want to see Moore on the Leafs, others don’t, and that’s fine. I’m not thrilled with a >0.5PPG player moving right from the AHL to the Leafs, but hey, I’m no GM.
#14 - Calle Rosen - D
2017/18 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
One of those players clogging up the D pipeline, Rosen had a great Calder Cup run and could be fighting hard for a spot on the bottom of the Leafs D.
#13 - Carl Grundstrom - W
2017/18 team: Frolunda, SHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Grundstrom arrived in the AHL playoffs and had many people saying he’d be on the Leafs 4th line this season. That may jumping the gun a bit, but if he’s as good as they say I’m all for it.
#12 - Rasmus Sandin - D
2017/18 team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Sandin signed his entry level contract and the odds he goes back to the Soo this year aren’t sounding too high. He’s able to join the Marlies, or he could go back to Rogle in the SHL after camp. I think he’ll most likely go to the Marlies just like last year’s 1st round pick Timothy Liljegren.
#11 - Andreas Borgman - D
2017/18 team: Toronto Maple Leafs/Marlies, NHL/AHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Borgman had a significant injury at the end of last season while on the Marlies, after starting the year with the Maple Leafs. I think this will lead to him starting the year on the Marlies and working his way up.
#10 - Connor Carrick - D
2017/18 team: Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL
2018/19 team: Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL
Carrick was recently re-signed by the Leafs, and popular opinion is that he’ll be a fixture for them this year, or will at least split time with Ron Hainsey.
#9 - Connor Brown - RW
2017/18 team: Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL
2018/19 team: Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL
The steady and reliable Connor Brown stayed in the top 10 this year, but fell from #5 for newer, flashier players.
#8 - Andreas Johnsson - W
2017/18 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Lots of people are saying Johnsson to the Leafs, but I think it’ll be a close race for available spots on the roster this year. I don’t know if a fourth line role is one for him, so perhaps he stays down until a top nine role opens up.
#7 - Timothy Liljegren - D
2017/18 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Toronto Marlies, AHL
Liljegren gets another year to get prepared for the NHL while with the Marlies. I don’t think a bottom pairing position in the NHL is better than a top pair in the AHL. Let him get his minutes in and bring him up in another season.
#6 - Kasperi Kapanen - W
2017/18 team: Toronto Maple Leafs/Marlies, NHL/AHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL
Sticking to the roster after half a season with the Marlies, Kappy will be a Maple Leaf full time this season, barring a giant surprise at camp.
#5 - Travis Dermott - D
2017/18 team: Toronto Maple Leafs/Marlies, NHL/AHL
Most likely 2018/19 team: Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL
Like Kapanen, Dermott came up halfway through the season and stuck. Another season, another couple players making the team full time.
#4 - Morgan Rielly - D
2017/18 team: Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL
2018/19 team: Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL
In his final year for the Top 25, he once again played fourth fiddle to Marner, Nylander, and Matthews.
#2 - Mitch Marner / William Nylander
2017/18 team: Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL
2018/19 team: Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL
We couldn’t make up our minds. These two are on their own level, just below our #1 player...
#1 - Auston Matthews
2017/18 team: Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL
2018/19 team: Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL
His third year in a row at #1, he has five more years to hang on to the title. I think he may just do it.
Now it’s your turn. For the first time we invited the readers of PPP to add their own votes to the top 25 and this is the list that you came up with:
#25 - Semyon Der-Arguchintsev - C
#24 - Mason Marchment - LW
#23 - Yegor Korshkov - RW
#22 - Sean Durzi - D
#21 - Joseph Woll - G
#20 - Pierre Engvall - W
#19 - Eemeli Rasanen - D
#18 - Trevor Moore - C/LW
#17 - Dmytro Timashov - LW
#16 - Adam Brooks - C
#15 - Jeremy Bracco - RW
#14 - Calle Rosen - D
#13 - Rasmus Sandin - D
#12 - Carl Grundstrom - W
#11 - Andreas Borgman - D
#10 - Connor Carrick - D
#9 - Timorthy Liljegren - D
#8 - Connor Brown - RW
#7 - Andreas Johnsson - W
#6 - Kasperi Kapanen - W
#5 - Travis Dermott - D
#4 - Morgan Rielly - D
#3 - William Nylander - RW
#2 - Mitchell Marner - RW
#1 - Auston Matthews - C
The voting between Matthews and Nylander was no where near being close. He was clearly only being voted #1/2 while Nylander saw himself getting #3, even #4 votes.
Thank you all for participating, and now, I will reveal who the winners of the Carlton the Bear bobbleheads are, thanks to our friends over at the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame.
Our winners are Robert Webb and Elemer Jerkovits.
Thank you all again, and now let’s start getting ready for the new season!
