The Toronto Maple Leafs have several promising prospects developing outside the NHL, offering a glimpse of the organization's future. Defenceman Alexander Bilecki is playing over 25 minutes a game for the OHL's Kitchener Rangers, while AHL defenceman Ben Danford is recovering from a wrist fracture. Goaltender Artur Akhtyamov, who backstopped the AHL Marlies to a Calder Cup last June, is seen as being on the periphery of the NHL. Forward Tinus Luc Koblar is developing in Sweden's top league, and college forward Nicholas Moldenhauer's future with the team depends on a signing decision by August.
Bilecki, a 2026 second-round pick, is being deployed in all situations for the defending Memorial Cup champions. He has two goals and 15 assists in 17 games this season. "What stands out for me about Bilecki is his exceptional skating stride," said a Sportsnet analysis. "He’s quick to take away time and space, reads how plays are developing off the puck and can lead or join the rush offensively." His NHL projection is as a top-four, two-way defenceman with a potential arrival in the 2028-29 season.
Danford, a 2024 first-round pick, was contributing four assists in 11 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies before sustaining a wrist fracture. The right-shot defenceman is described as a two-way player who can contain middle-six forwards and kill penalties. His NHL projection is as a bottom-pair defenceman, potentially arriving for the 2027-28 season. Koblar, a 2025 draft pick, is a big-bodied forward with dual Norwegian and Slovenian citizenship playing for Rogle in the Swedish Hockey League. In a recent 10-game segment, he averaged between 12 and 17 minutes of ice time, producing two goals and one assist. He is projected as a third-line, 200-foot forward who can be used in a variety of roles, with an NHL arrival timeline of 2028-29.
Akhtyamov, 25, is the prospect closest to NHL readiness. The goaltender has dressed as a backup for the Leafs this season and is signed through the 2028-29 season. His contract is a two-way deal this year, paying $300,000 in the minors and $850,000 in the NHL, before converting to a one-way deal with a $900,000 cap hit for its final two years. He plays an active and athletic style, though his rebound control is considered average. His NHL projection is as a backup or potential No. 1B starter, with an arrival timeline of 2026-27.
The organization must decide whether to sign University of Michigan forward Nicholas Moldenhauer to an entry-level contract by August or trade his signing rights. A 2022 third-round pick, Moldenhauer's rising production makes his decision an important one for the Leafs to retain his value. If unsigned by next August, he could become an NCAA free agent. These developing players represent a mix of defensive depth, versatile forwards and goaltending upside for a Leafs organization that has often traded away draft capital to pursue playoff success. The prospect evaluations come as the NHL club battles through a difficult part of its schedule. Kind Karma reported in November that the team was dealing with 11 player absences.
