Ranking Marlies Most Likely to Be Leafs Next Season – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

After the American Hockey League (AHL) finals for the Toronto Marlies, the conversation inevitably turns back to the same question. If only a few of these players have made the jump to the Toronto Maple Leafs, who really has the clearest path?

On Thursday, we did a post about why the 2018 Marlies are different from this Marlies team, and with that in mind, here’s a simple ranking of the Marlies who could be Maple Leafs next season – or soon.

Easton Cowan Is Already There

There is no doubt here. Easton Cowan is, for all practical purposes, already a regular Map leaf. His playoff production has been solid — 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 17 games — even when dealing with injuries. More importantly, his impact has been seen in key moments, including a late-game scoring streak that often splits expectations from the rest of the pack.

Barring something unexpected, Cowan is tracking for a top-six role in the NHL next season. If anything, he’s almost completely out of this conversation. The question has shifted from whether he arrives and settles down quickly.

Real Chance by William Villeneuve

If there’s one player who feels closer to forcing the issue, it’s William Villeneuve. The 24-year-old defenseman has put together a solid offense, currently tied for second in the Marlies’ playoff scoring with 16 points in 19 games. It’s not just production. It’s how he moves the puck and controls the transition.

Villeneuve skates well, sees the ice clearly, and makes clean passes early in the zone – skills the Maple Leafs have been trying to establish in the backfield for a long time. He’s already had a brief NHL appearance, appearing in three games this season and averaging just over 17 minutes a night. He didn’t write a point, but he didn’t look frustrated either.

The question now is about planning. Are you a piece of the future plan, or are you an important trading asset for a bigger deal? That decision may determine whether you become part of a larger group or part of another transaction.

Jacob Quillan’s Steady Climb

Jacob Quillan doesn’t attract much attention, which is usually how these stories start. Since arriving from Quinnipiac, he has steadily improved. After 37 points in his first full AHL season, he followed it up with 36 points in just 40 games this season. That kind of progress often gets internal recognition, even if it doesn’t generate headlines.

Quillan has already spent time with the Maple Leafs – 23 games this season. Once the player is standing in that room, the next step is less about introduction and more about trust. If he gets to camp healthy, he’ll have a real chance to push himself into a deep center role. Not guaranteed. But certainly in the discussion.

Long Term Group

After those three, things improve. Ryan Tverberg and Luke Haymes both played well in the playoffs, each recording 11 points. Tverberg was a late pick in 2020, while Haymes arrived as an undrafted free agent out of Dartmouth. Both have received attention, but both are still in the “soon, not yet” phase.

Then there’s Ben Danford. He may not be the closest to the NHL, but in the end he could be very important. The 20-year-old first-round pick looked comfortable as the playoffs wore on. At first, his minutes were limited. Recently, his role has expanded.

What stands out is his calmness. Danford rarely looks in a hurry. He handles pressure well, slows down the game, and always takes his time with the puck. For a young defender, that quality is hard to teach. He looks like a player who will spend next season in a key role with the Marlies, and NHL time is still a step away.

Finally, there is goalkeeper Artur Akhtyamov. He took over the net for the Marlies in the postseason, starting 15 straight games and posting an 11-6 record with a 2.12 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage. Still, Dennis Hildeby still appears to sit ahead of him on the organization’s depth chart. At the NHL level, Akhtyamov remains a call-up option unless injury or a move changes the position.

All Positions on Maple Leaves

Defeated, the picture is clear. Cowan is already on the team. Villeneuve and Quillan have real opportunities to force their way into NHL roles. Danford represents the long view – a player who may not be the first, but ultimately the most important.

Other than that, the Marlies remain what most AHL teams are: a mix of up-and-coming prospects and seasoned pros who understand what they are. And that, in its way, is still part of the story.

[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]