The 19-year-old joined the Maple Leafs on their third-annual Gravenhurst training camp retreat.
The 19-year-old joined the Maple Leafs on their third-annual Gravenhurst training camp retreat.
William Nylander was moved to the wing for Wednesday's practice to give Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten an increased look at center.
The 2022 second-round (38th overall) pick is skating in his second training camp with the Maple Leafs and has impressed many within the organization during the pre-season.
Minten has stood out almost every time he's been on the ice, tallying four points, including a game-winning goal, in four games. The 19-year-old has even developed some strong chemistry with a player taking in his first Maple Leafs training camp in Matthew Knies.
But asked why Nylander was moved to the wing for Wednesday's practice in Gravenhurst, Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said they want to continue to get Minten in the mix.
"It's not a reflection of Willy at all," the head coach said. "It's more we need to make a decision on Fraser, obviously. So you get him into a position to play with the group."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HVufE_dLhc[/embed]
Minten hasn't looked out of place since arriving in Traverse City with Toronto for the prospects tournament. The 19-year-old scored five points in three games while in Michigan and was the Maple Leafs' best player outside of standout Easton Cowan, who's also still with Toronto.
"Just how does he fit in with the group," Keefe said. "He's already, to me, passed the first test. He goes out in Montreal and plays head-to-head against (Nick) Suzuki or (Kirby) Dach every shift and did a great job there."
One of the 19-year-old's goals this season is to be an important player, wherever that might be. But another one of his hopes is to play in the World Junior Championship this winter.
"I want to have a great year," Minten said last week. "I have a goal in mind to hopefully play for Team Canada at World Juniors, that'd be amazing if I could make that happen."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8202hys2BE[/embed]
If Minten does make the Maple Leafs out of training camp, a new clock starts ticking. Toronto can play him in a maximum of nine regular-season games, which will allow his entry-level contract to slide for another year. If they play him for more than that, the first year of his deal will be eaten away.
All of those discussions will be had in the near future, but there remains a chance that the 19-year-old will make the Maple Leafs' opening night roster.
"He's still here," Keefe said on Wednesday. "Everybody that's here has a chance to make the team."
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