Sign Up to PPP Today

You have to be a member to comment at PPP. Membership is free and requires only an email address.

Become a Member

It's been rumoured for the past couple months, and now is official: the Leafs have signed Luke Haymes, one of the top NCAA free agents this year.

I actually wrote about Haymes as the top option for Toronto just last week, in large part because of those rumours. One of the reasons for the connection to the Leafs was Haymes attending one of Toronto's development camps, and it seemed to kickstart his big college breakout season. You can read what I wrote about him again to see the scouting information I included:

NCAA Free Agent Watch: Luke Haymes and Others
Luke Haymes is among the top free agents out of the NCAA this year, and Toronto has been heavily rumoured to be among the front runners to sign him. Is he worth the interest, or are there other options the Leafs should take a run at signing?
PPP LeafsBrian S

Elite Prospects considered Haymes to be THE top free agent out of college this year. Here's their write up:

A goalscorer, Haymes brings both an NHL-calibre shot and scoring instincts. He racks up the high-danger chances by battling in front, and then spinning off and slipping inside for a high-skill deflection or in-tight finish. Off the rush, he’s always adjusting his routes and speed to stay open. One-timers, curl-and-drag shots, catch-and-release wristers – he does them all at high speed and under pressure.
Haymes looks like an NHLer, bringing that extra level of intensity and attention to detail that the world’s best league demands. Offensively, he’s constantly creating openings for both himself and teammates by proactively engaging opponents going into the wall, rolling with checks to cut inside, and retrieving pucks multiple times per shift.
Those same skills translate to the defensive zone, another high-impact area for Haymes. He’s an aggressive down-low defender who pokes away the puck and then seals off the opponent with a hit. A proactive player, he anticipates switches and locks down passing lanes.
The other element of Haymes’ exciting projection is development. For one, his edge work and explosiveness are both better than this time last year. He’s also becoming an increasingly dynamic player, showcasing more manipulation skills and playmaking each weekend, as highlighted below in our video breakdown of his March 1st performance.

Here's what Flo Hockey had to say about him:

Haymes has been a name floated in NHL circles for a while. He was in Toronto’s NHL development camp last year and apparently impressed there. He’s missed some time this season and has been below a point-per-game for Dartmouth, but has been on a tear of late with points in each of his last five games. Haymes has decent size, is strong on the puck and plays with the kind of energy that would allow him to fill out a depth role on an NHL roster. He’s not the kind of player you add thinking you’ve got a huge difference maker, but he’s absolutely worth a contract and some significant AHL time to find out.

And here's what McKeen's Hockey had to say:

Luke Haymes is a diligent forward recognized for his tenacious forechecking and gritty approach to the game. He excels in high-pressure situations, frequently winning puck battles and generating scoring chances through sheer determination. Haymes has a powerful shot and excels at netting goals in close quarters, ensuring he remains a consistent offensive threat. His defensive reliability and strong hockey sense contribute positively in all three zones. Moreover, his leadership qualities and competitive nature provide a strong example on and off the ice. His adaptability and ability to play a responsible two-way game enhance his appeal for professional opportunities. Teams in search of a versatile, hardworking forward who can make a notable impact would find Haymes to be a valuable addition. His blend of work ethic, hockey intelligence, and offensive potential makes him a candidate worth considering for a bottom-six role at the next level.

The obvious hope for Leaf fans is that Haymes can take some of the sting out of losing Minten at the deadline. He won't be that caliber, but between Haymes and Quillan they now have two solid two-way centres who could provide some good depth at a very valuable position. If I were to guess, I'd say Haymes has the better chance to be a more valuable regular NHLer because of more advanced offensive instincts, while also providing all those little things that coaches love.

From Elite Prospects' NCAA free agency guide

Welcome to Toronto, Luke! You can read a human story-esque profile about him from The Athletic here:

PPP Runs on Your Support

If you enjoy reading PPP Leafs, and want to see it continue, please consider becomming a paid subscriber. We want to keep all our content open to all users, but to be a sustainable site, we need more support from paid members.

Subscribe Now
Maple Leafs Prospects