Four Leafs Prospects Ready to Battle For The Last Spot on Opening Night

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Wade Messier
July 10, 2023 (3:35 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have no shortage of prospects in their system who could become serious impact NHLers. Their development staff is one of the best in the world, and they have a very good drafting record. Given these factors, it's not a surprise that they have a few guys knocking on the door for NHL roster spots.

Marlies Forwards Fighting For Last Spot

It looks like we're going to have quite the battle at training camp this year, as some of the Toronto Marlies' best young players fight for the Leafs 12th forward spot.

Among these young prospects includes Pontus Holmberg, Bobby McMann, Alex Steeves, and Nick Abruzzese. All four of these young forwards have made incredible progress since being drafted and would be nice additions to the Leafs' bottom six.

Now the question remains as to who earns this final spot, and how close the battle will be.

Another Route

If GM Brad Treliving decides that none of these young players are truly ready for the NHL, he could go out and sign a veteran forward to fill in this final slot. This would add some experience to the Leafs' roster while letting the young guns marinate a bit longer in the AHL.

If the Leafs do decide to go this route, they shouldn't have much trouble finding someone to fill that slot. There are still plenty of free-agent forwards left to be signed, and perhaps they could even go after a skilled guy like Tomas Tatar on a cheap, one-year deal.

We can't wait to see what the Leafs do with this situation.

As Seen on Leafs Nation - 4 Marlies who could take the Toronto Maple Leafs' last forward spot