Weighted TOP 5 Maple Leafs Top Scorers 2012-2013

Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects Scoring Race

Josh Nicholls, Saskatoon Blades

The following scoring standings reflect Maple Leafs players or prospects currently playing in the KHL, AHL, NCAA or CHL.

11NOV12 - Overall top 5*

1. josh nicholls 25 whl

2. nikolai kulemin 22 khl

3. mikhail grabovsky 22 khl

4. keith aucoin 22 ahl

5. tyler biggs 21 ohl

5. morgan reilly 21 whl

* ahl / khl points = x 2

ncaa = x 1.5 (shorter season than canadian junior)

chl (whl/ohl/qmjhl) = 1

Tyler Biggs, now with Oshawa Generals

All of the above are playing up to expectations, while other Leafs prospects off to strong starts include Leo Komarov (with 5 goals, 7 points and a Marlies-leading Plus 5 rating), Mike Kostka (2 goals, 6 assists) and Jake Gardiner (4 goals and 3 assists). Jussi Rynnas has two shutouts and a 0.98 GAA after 3 starts.

Joe Colborne and Nazem Kadri appear to be rounding into form, and the Marlies have been looking tougher by the week.

Core Toronto Maple Leafs for 2012-2013 and forward

If Brian Burke wants to keep certain players off-limits from trade talks, here are the 10 players he would be best to try to keep out of trade talks:

Jake Gardiner
Phil Kessel
James Reimer
Nazem Kadri
Matt Frattin
Tyler Biggs
Joe Colborne
Cody Franson
Mark Owuya
Brad Ross



Here are 5 names that should be considered in trade scenarios, with an explanation:

Jonas Gustavsson - As he is a free agent on July 1st and the Leafs would be unlikely to have any interest in signing him, offering exclusive rights to negotiate with him until June 30th could bring a 3rd round draft pick, or a young player. This trade needs to be arranged in advance and happen within a week of season's end, as the deadline will be fast approaching.


Dion Phaneuf OR Luke Schenn - It would be nice to keep them both, however if there are grains of truth in the stories about tension between these two, it may be best to listen to offers for each and hit the bid if a strong goalie or enticing package becomes available.


Joffrey Lupul - Yes it would be sad to see him go and if the Leafs were ready to challenge for a Cup I'd have him on the top ten list above. Instead, the Buds will need 2 or 3 seasons of playoffs experience before being ready to drink from the Mug, so trading Lupul to a legitimate Stanley Cup contender can bring a pick and a player, with Matt Frattin and Nazem Kadri competing for the left wing spot on Kessel's line.


Jussi Rynnas - I'd like to see a proven NHL goalie plus Reimer start with the Maple Leafs, with Scrivens and Owuya slated to handle Marlies duties. This means Rynnas can be moved as part of a package deal, or straight up for a pick or a skater.


Tim Connolly - I don't believe his season was as disastrous as some do, however a $4.5 million checking line winger doesn't make a lot of sense. If BB can package Connolly up in a trade, free agent Darryl Boyce has a winning record as a Leaf and would excel on Carlyle's checking line, and he would likely be available for $850,000 to $900,000 per year.


Other names that could be moved to free up cap space include Komisarek, Lombardi and Armstrong.

Twenty Young Buds; Best Maple Leafs players and prospects

Top 20 Maple Leafs players and prospects aged 25 or under (Born 1986 or later):

Player Position Age

James Reimer, G 23

Phil Kessel, F 23

Luke Schenn, D 21

Nazem Kadri, F 20

Nikolai Kulemin, F 24

Keith Aulie, D 21

Carl Gunnarsson, D 24

Joe Colborne, F 21

Matt Frattin, F 23

Matt Lashoff, D 24

Jake Gardiner, D 20

Tyler Brenner, F 23

Greg McKegg, F 18

Jussi Rynas, G 23

Simon Gysbers, D 23

Ben Scrivens, G 24

Korbinian Holzer, D 23

Bradley Ross, F 18

Josh Nicholls, F 19 on April 27

Tyler Bozak, F 25


I'm probably forgetting a few solid young defencemen as they don't usually get the props that forwards and goalies get. If you add the 26 and 27 year olds (Born 1985 and 1984) to this list, the depth and strength of the Leafs Youth Corps becomes increasingly apparent:

Dion Phaneuf, Born 1985

Mikhail Grabovski, 1984

Clarke MacArthur, 1985

Mike Brown, 1985

Jay Rosehill, 1985

Jonas Gustavsson, 1984

Darryl Boyce, 1984

Tim Brent, 1984


That's 28 players aged 27 or younger, a really solid core to build upon! We'll update this list after the draft, and after any major trades that Burkie pulls off.