Leafs prospect Jerry D'Amigo an AHL rising star

As if Brian Burke didn't already have a cupboard overflowing with NHL prospects, and along comes Jerry D'Amigo's four goals in the first two games of the American Hockey League's Calder Cup playoffs. In late season rankings, D'Amigo placed only #18 on my Top 25 Toronto Maple Leafs 25 Years of Age and Under.

After a 15 goal regular season, I imagined D'Amigo as a key but not crucial piece in a Rick Nash trade. Now that he has emerged as a potential deal maker, I'm not so sure I want to let him go, for the same reason I wanna keep Naz, and that is I believe Kadri may very well outscore Nash over the next 5 to 7 years. Could D'Amigo also have that much potential, or at least be a solid big game player, as he has been for the USA National Juniors team?

In any case, if Toronto had to give up one of Kadri or D'Amigo (plus Connolly and other assets) to get Nash, consider that Jerry and Rick are both right wingers, so if Nash comes in, we have Kessel and Nash at that position and D'Amigo would be bumped further down the depth chart.

It's only been two games, however with D'Amigo's ascendance to AHL playoffs star, it is refreshing to be able to consider a much wider range of options for Leafs moves this June, and they are likely to add a proven NHL goalie before even looking at Nash. Stay tuned.

Toronto Maple Leafs Report Card: 2012-2013

Here are my grades for the Buds on this most disappointing of seasons. After the AHL and CHL playoffs end, we will grade the prospects.

Jake Gardiner 92 AAA

Phil Kessel 87 AA

Joffrey Lupul 83 AA


David Steckel 73 B+

Tyler Bozak 72 B+

Mikail Grabovski 72 B+

Nazem Kadri 71 B

Matt Frattin 68 B-


Dion Phaneuf 66 C+

Clarke McArthur 66 C+

John-Michael Liles 65 C+

Joey Crabb 65 C+

Cody Franson 64 C

Nikolai Kulemin 63 C

Mike Komisarek 59 C

Mike Brown 58 C

Tim Connolly 57 C-

Joe Colborne 56 C-

Darryl Boyce 53 C- (Free Agent)


Carter Ashton 51 D+

Ben Scrivens 49 D

James Reimer 47 D

Jay Rosehill 46 D

Matthew Lombardi 43 D-


Jonas Gustavsson 37 F

Philippe Dupuis 28 F