William Villeneuve leads a trio of prospects in the Maple Leafs' biggest game left this season
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
After over 200 games in the AHL, William Villeneuve is finally getting his shot against the Panthers on Saturday in Toronto's most important game left this season.
Villeneuve, 24, was Toronto's 122nd overall pick in 2020 and has been stuck in the AHL ever since. He's posted 119 points in 224 games (12 goals, 107 assists) and is finally getting a chance to showcase what he can do at the NHL level.
Villeneuve finally gets his big break as rookies take centre stage in the Maple Leafs clash vs. Panthers
He's expected to pair with Simon Benoit as they both lined up together in practice, and it's assured that Villeneuve makes his debut as he led the after-skate stretches ahead of the contest:
Villeneuve joins two other rookies in the lineup as Toronto will also have Luke Haymes as their 3C, and Easton Cowan in the lineup. Technically Jacob Quillan is a rookie however did have one NHL game to his name last season; these are strictly NHL debuts this year.
Up against the Panthers is going to perhaps be the best possible way to debut as they've waved the white flag on the season and this game holds the potential to see Villeneuve get on the scoreboard for his first NHL point.
This game against Florida could determine whether the Maple Leafs keep their first round pick or lose it to Boston
But the game holds more than just implications for the future of guys on the roster, but also the future of the franchise.
If the Maple Leafs beat Florida, it not only gives the Panthers a much better chance to get a top-10 pick they can keep, but also ruin their odds of keeping the pick they traded away last year. It's a tall task to lose to essentially an AHL team, but it's possible.
Toronto and Florida are tied in points, and Seattle is right behind them with 77. The Maple Leafs can't afford to go into overtime at any point, and hope and pray that the Kraken get hot during their home stretch.
This is the only game the Maple Leafs really have a chance to win, as they play Dallas and Ottawa to close out the season. As long as the rookies put in a strong effort, but not enough to make a difference — Toronto could luck out.
But none of that matters right now to William Villeneuve who is finally getting his shot at the NHL level; and Toronto finally gets to see what all the hype is about.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
A Maple Leafs prospect is choosing Michigan over Toronto and the decision says a lot
A Maple Leafs prospect is choosing Michigan over Toronto and the decision says a lot
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 11|626 ANSWERS William Villeneuve leads a trio of prospects in the Maple Leafs' biggest game left this season Do you think William Villeneuve will score in his NHL debut? | ||
| Yes | 140 | 22.4 % |
| No | 486 | 77.6 % |
| List of polls | ||