Fun fact! The Toronto Maple Leafs have four prospects who are currently leading their respective teams in points. Additional fun fact — none of them are first-round picks. One of them you’ve surely already known about, another you might know if you’re a regular PPP reader, but the other two you might have completely forgotten were even Leafs’ prospects in the first place.

Let’s take a look at them for the funsies!

Nick Robertson

Games: 40 | Goals: 46 | Assists: 26 | Shots: 219

There aren’t enough superlatives to describe Robertson’s season. Later today I have a more in-depth piece looking at Robertson, so in the meantime I’ll just leave these fun little facts:

  • He leads the Petes in goals and points as an 18 year old who missed time due to injury AND playing at the World Juniors.
  • He’s currently in the top 10 all time in OHL goal scoring per game among players 18 years or younger.
  • He’s tied for the OHL goal scoring lead despite playing 11 fewer games than the guy he’s tied with.
  • He is leading the OHL in shots per game by almost half a shot (5.56 vs 5.12) per game.
  • Is on a 17 game point streak, just broke a 15 game goal scoring streak./

Remember, he was only a few days away from being eligible for THIS year’s draft.

Mikhail Abramov

Games: 54 | Goals: 33 | Assists: 36 | Shots: 208

I recently also wrote a piece about Abramov’s breakout season, which you can read here. Since then he’s cooled off on scoring goals but started racking up assists. He sadly is no longer on pace to finish the year with more goals than his next closest teammate has in total points, but only by two! However, he does still...

  • Lead his team in points by 34(!!) and in goals by 16.
  • He’s 10th in the QMJHL in total points with 69 (nice), 6th in goals with 33, and 10th in shots with 208.
  • A reminder that he was a 4th round pick and is literally his team’s entire offense. /

Nicholas Abruzzese

Games: 25 | Goals: 13 | Assists: 22 | Shots: 65

Abruzzese was the Leafs’ other fourth round pick last year, and he’s had himself a sneaky good year. He was a bit of a stretch pick as both a 19/20 year old and a smaller forward at 5’9”. He led the USHL in points his draft year, but as an older player who had never even been to the NCAA. Now, in his first year in the NCAA with Harvard, he has some fun little stats for himself as well...

  • First on his team in points with 35, second in goals with 13, third in shots.
  • 10th in the whole NCAA in points, but 4th in points per game.
  • Leads the NCAA in points among freshmen (an older freshman mind you), including over the likes of Cole Caulfield, Trevor Zegras, and Alex Newhook./

Joshua Tessler, an NCAA scout and writer for Dobber Prospects and FC Hockey, recently wrote this in-depth look at Abruzzese’s season that’s a good read.

Riley Stotts

Games: 52 | Goals: 22 | Assists: 35 | Shots: 154

Remember Stotts? He was a third round pick back in 2018 out of the WHL. He’s had a bit of a slower progression to his development, never having a huge breakout to his season like the others mentioned above have. However, like the others he’s been having a good year...

  • Leads his team in points with 57 and assists with 35
  • He’s also third on the team in goals with 22 and shots with 154/

Maple Leafs have cap space to spend, but do they have the assets? | by Katya

Sheldon Keefe: “This is the worst we have been in a very long time” | transcript by MLHS

Jake Muzzin reportedly has a four-year extension to be signed after the trade deadline | by TLN

Sandin and Liljegren Looking to Provide Answers on the Leafs Blue Line | by Doug Doucette at The Leafs Beat

Are the Leafs’ stars stepping up enough in the wake of injuries? | by Bob McKenzie on TSN Radio

AROUND THE HOCKEY WORLD

DGB weekend power rankings: Which teams are facing the most pressure ahead of the trade deadline? | by Sean McIndoe

Exclusive: Former Wild coach Bruce Boudreau opens up about his firing | by Michael Russo

Islanders acquire Greene from Devils | by TSN.ca

Trade Analysis: Blake Coleman is a perfect if pricey fit for a win now Lightning team | by loserpoints at Raw Charge

Late last night, another trade broke:

So first Weber’s career might have been in jeopardy, then it was reduced to 6-8 weeks, and now he’s practicing and might play after, what, one week? They’re already pretty much out of the playoffs, what are the Canadiens doing to Weber???

Some media covering the team are similarly perplexed.

Evander Kane spoke some truths, also tried to pass off blame for his own dirty play, and either way now he’s gonna pay.

From The Branches