The 2022 second-round pick will participate in Maple Leafs training camp this fall before entering his fourth season with the WHL's Kamloops Blazers.
The 2022 second-round pick will participate in Maple Leafs training camp this fall before entering his fourth season with the WHL's Kamloops Blazers.
Domination is the next step for Fraser Minten in junior this year.
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During a 10-day period that will span from August 7-18, I will be releasing my rankings (from 10-1) of who I believe is the closest prospect to playing full-time NHL hockey with the Maple Leafs.
Fraser Minten (Kamloops Blazers, WHL) 19, C, six-foot-two, 192 lbs
When looking at the Maple Leafs' pool of prospects, the ceiling might be highest with Minten.
Coming off an impressive season with the Kamloops Blazers — where the 19-year-old tallied 67 points (31 goals, 36 assists) in 57 games — Minten is ready to take his game to another level.
His physically imposing frame tied together with the knowledge he's gained over the last year will allow Minten to flourish in a bigger role with Kamloops this fall.
"We played a lot of hockey this year so there wasn't much gym time," Minten said at Maple Leafs development camp earlier this summer.
"But I think with being on the ice so much, you get more comfortable skating, you just improve your skills, get more comfortable with little battles. So, I think I got better at just a bit of everything."
The 19-year-old possesses a strong shot. It might not seem like it's powerful as he gets ready to release it, but when the puck comes off his stick, it comes flying fairly quickly. And it often finds the back of the net too.
"He's got a really tricky release," said Maple Leafs Assistant GM, Player Development, Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser, "a good release."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odMPHgEVbN4[/embed]
There aren't many flaws to Minten's game. He's a smooth-skating centre who can do almost everything on the ice reliably. If there's anything the 19-year-old needs to improve on, it's the aspects off the ice.
"I think it's just evolving his tenacity and his assertiveness and the way he plays the game to be able to dominate more in just different areas of the game (that) when he steps out on the ice, other players know, 'Okay, this guy's out there and he can hurt us,' at the WHL level," Wickenheiser said.
"So, more of a mentality for Fraser and then just continuing to expand on his physical development."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZSESiwJCEA[/embed]
Minten's ceiling, if everything flows correctly, is likely a middle-six centre at the NHL level. And I believe he can get there fairly quickly following his final year of junior.
Everything for Minten, though, is just a matter of adjustments. Can he take the next step after this year and fit right in with the strength of the NHL? Will he need some time with the Marlies to adjust to professional hockey?
With his frame, and the direction the Maple Leafs want him to go with his body, I'd say he'll adapt easier than some. We'll get more clarity on that in a month or so when he participates in Maple Leafs training camp.
But all signs point to the 19-year-old being a high-level player within the organization throughout the next few years.
Related
Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #4 - Nick Moldenhauer
Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #5 - William Villeneuve
Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #6 - Easton Cowan
Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #7 - Ty Voit
Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #8 - Dennis Hildeby
Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #9 - Keith Petruzzelli
Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #10 - Artur Akhtyamov and Vyacheslav Peksa
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