Toronto Maple Leafs: Top 8 prospects worth getting excited about

4. Nicholas Abruzzese

Leafs prospect Nicholas Abruzzese seemingly gets better year after year. The center was drafted in the fourth round (124th overall) of the 2019 draft after a solid second season with the Chicago Steel in the USHL, putting up 80 points in 62 games.

Abruzzese commited to Harvard for the 2019-20 season, and though the Leafs were hoping he would have a good freshman season, they likely weren’t expecting him to produce the way he did.

The 20-year-old centermen led his team in scoring, posting an impressive 14 goals and 44 points in just 31 games. His play was good enough for him to be selected to the ECAC First All-Star and Rookie Teams. It’s still early for Abruzzese, but he is starting to really get the attention of the Leaf’s management.

3. Timothy Liljegren

The recently turned 21-year-old defenseman Timothy Liljegren got to experience his first NHL action this season, appearing in 11 games with the Leafs. He has been part of the organization since he was taken 17th overall at the 2017 draft.

Liljegren’s offensive game is highly regarded, and his 30 points in 40 AHL games this season back that up. However, it is both his defensive and mental game that are lacking. If he is able to improve on that, he has a chance to be a full-time player on the Leafs next season.