The Maple Leafs prospects won two of their three games in Traverse City.
The Maple Leafs prospects won two of their three games in Traverse City.
The Traverse City Prospects Tournament has wrapped up, and although Toronto's prospect pool is shallow, some players looked to have taken a step in their development.
It was only three games, but there's a fair bit you can take away when looking at the players who participated in the tournament for Toronto.
Fraser Minten's maturity is rising
The 19-year-old has always had a mature game with his size. However, this year, it seemed like Minten took a step with his leadership and how he played off the puck.
There is a chance that he's the next captain of the Kamloops Blazers — a very good chance, actually. And it stood out in the early days of Traverse City.
"I thought he was great on the bench," head coach Jon Gruden said earlier this week. "(He was) positive, made sure that guys were still engaging and part of it. I was really impressed with his leadership skills."
Minten's size and smarts with the puck have been traits that we've known about since he was drafted. This year, though, he seemed more engaged off the puck, protecting his teammates in scrums and being very vocal.
Matthew Knies physically dominated as he should
There wasn't much from the 20-year-old that we haven't already seen. His strength, size, and skill all allow him to be a player ready for the NHL.
What stood out in Traverse City was how he was able to cut corners while in-tight around the boards. Knies isn't the fastest skater, but using his skating to evade opponents has improved from the last time we saw him in game action with Toronto.
Knies is almost a lock to make the Maple Leafs out of training camp, though I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the AHL at some point next season.
READ MORE: Matthew Knies Takes Aim at Leadership Role For Maple Leafs at Traverse City Prospects Tournament
Easton Cowan doesn't stop
As I wrote on Sunday, the 18-year-old is showing everyone why Toronto picked him in the first round of this year's NHL draft.
Cowan had six points in three games at the prospects tournament. His best game was on Friday when he was all over the place on the ice. The 19-year-old didn't give many of his opponents space with the puck.
If he was near the player, Cowan was there to try and help shift the momentum to the other direction.
Though Cowan is still growing into his body, it's clear to me that Toronto made the right pick by selecting him in the first round. The 18-year-old is already showing how good he can be, but he takes his game to another level when he's confident.
This next season with the London Knights will likely show everyone the type of player Cowan will be in the future for the Maple Leafs.
Max Ellis is bringing his game back
What stood out right away last year with Ellis was how he used his body. Even though the 23-year-old is on the smaller side at five-foot-nine, he plays like he's over six feet tall.
Ellis has a way of evading his opponents and getting out of situations with the puck, even when you think it's not possible.
"It's just about embracing contact, moving my feet, doing the defensive things right," Ellis said of what he hopes to take away from the prospects tournament. "Really picking up on where I left off at the end of the season last year (with the Marlies)."
This will be a big season for the 23-year-old. He's learned what it's like to be a full-time pro, but now it's time to show it on the ice for a full season.
Topi Niemela shifting gears
I'll be honest, there wasn't much that I saw change in Niemela's game from last year with the Marlies. But I don't think that's what this tournament was about for him.
He had an impressive showing when he stepped foot into the Marlies lineup last season. For the 21-year-old, it's all about returning to where he left off, and I believe that's what he's going to do.
Roni Hirvonen's full game
We finally saw Hirvonen in game action, and let me tell you, there's a lot to be excited about with this player.
The 21-year-old already plays a mature game, even though he hasn't played a professional game in North America. His smarts, puck protection, strength and shot are all aspects of his game that will make him successful in his debut AHL season.
One of the most positive signs for Hirvonen is that it looked like he's developed a bit of chemistry with a couple of Marlies. Blend that together with his strong game already and it should bode well for him this year.
Brandon Lisowsky's shot is something
It took a few games but Lisowsky finally showed off one of the best parts of his game.
The 19-year-old scored 38 goals in 65 games with the WHL's Saskatoon Blades last season and scored three goals on Saturday afternoon in Traverse City for the Maple Leafs.
As a seventh-round pick, it's always a long shot that you make the NHL. Lisowsky, though, has shown fairly early that there could be something there.
This next season with Saskatoon will be a major tell of where he can go as a Maple Leafs prospect.
Ryan Tverberg's next step
The 21-year-old, similar to Lisowsky, is a seventh-round pick. And as I said about Lisowsky with this season being a major tell of his next step, the same goes for Tverberg.
Playing only seven games with the Marlies, he never really got fully acclimated with the professional game. But after a full summer of training and a prospects tournament where he seemed to have some chemistry with his AHL teammates, this year will be his for the taking.
Dennis Hildeby is ready for the pro game
It was a small sample size, but Hildeby looked fairly confident in net following a couple of outings in the AHL last season.
I don't like to put too much stock into a goaltender's performance because they're goaltenders. Anything can change on the flip of a dime with them. But with the 22-year-old's size at six-foot-six, it's hard to argue that he won't have success with the Marlies this year.
Hildeby seemed very calm in the net for the Maple Leafs while in Traverse City. If he can carry that all season long in the AHL, along with consistency play-wise, there'll be plenty of success in his future.
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