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The Leafs did some pick trades this year at the draft and increased the number of drafted players from what we expected. That plus a couple of signings means there are 10 new names on the eligibility list for the T25. From oldest to youngest, they are...
Free Agents
Cade Webber
At just 23, Cade Webber is the fourth oldest player on the T25 eligibility list as it stands now. He was drafted by Carolina, but did not want to sign with them. The Leafs traded for his rights and then signed him to an ELC after his NCAA season was fully over. He is a tall, points-avoidant defensive defender from Boston University and is expected to play in the AHL. If there's any chance his defence holds up at NHL speed, he'll get a look.
Jacob Quillan
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Signed as the undrafted 1C out of Quinnipiac, he scored the OT goal to deny Matt Knies the Frozen Four championship in 2023. Quillan stayed in school for another year, and is expected to play for the Marlies this year. But as a centre, he's going to be working hard in preseason to make a name for himself with the Leafs. He is only 22, though, and has a little bit more runway than the usual NCAA free agent signing.
Drafted Players
Timofei Obvintsev
Older than the others drafted this year, Obvintsev was in his second year of eligibility and was taken 157th overall.
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The goaltender is expected to remain in the MHL (Russian junior league) this season.
Sam McCue
Drafted 216th overall, McCue is returning to his OHL team this year.
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Miroslav Holinka
Drafted 151st overall, he's already capturing some fans with his play in a summer tournament.
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Watch to see if he moves to either the USHL or WHL for this coming season.
Ben Danford
Selected 31st overall after the Leafs traded down with their original first-rounder, Danford has the best shot of any new face to make the NHL some day.
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He isn't signed yet by the Maple Leafs, but that's likely only a matter of time, and will likely come after the prospect tournament in September. He will play in Oshawa this year in the OHL.
Victor Johansson
Taken 120th overall, Victor Johansson was a total unknown, and was not even on the NHL Central Scouting list. He's 100% a Leafs scouting pick, so it will be interesting to see who he is as the season unfolds in Sweden.
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He has not played much hockey – missing time to injuries and appearing in shorter junior seasons. Expect him to play in U20 again this season.
Nathan Mayes
Taken 225th, Mayes is a defender in the WHL.
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Matthew Lahey
Taken 200th, Lahey is a defender in the NCAA.
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Alexander Plesovskikh
And the youngest prospect in the T25, is Alexander Plesovskikh, who is still just 17, and was drafted 152nd overall. He'll play in the MHL this year.
Brian S
It superficially looks like the Leafs took a lot of defenders in the draft, but if you knock off the very late round picks as faint hopes, the view changes slightly. Danford is the serious pick, and possibly Holinka. The rest are projects, maybes and names we'll likely have forgotten when they age out.
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