Ranking the Marlies Most Likely to Become Maple Leafs Next Season – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

After the American Hockey League (AHL) Toronto Marlies’ surprising playoff run, the conversation inevitably circles back to the same question. If only a handful of these players ever make the jump to the Toronto Maple Leafs, who actually has the clearest path?

On Thursday, we did a post about why the 2018 Marlies differ from this Marlies group, and with that in mind, here’s a simple ranking of the Marlies most likely to become Maple Leafs next season — or in the very near future.

Easton Cowan Is Already There

There is really no suspense here. Easton Cowan is, for all practical purposes, already a Maple Leafs regular. His playoff production has been steady — 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 17 games — even while dealing with injury. More importantly, his impact has shown up in key moments, including late-game scoring that tends to separate prospects from the rest of the pack.

Barring something unexpected, Cowan is tracking toward a top-six NHL role next season. If anything, he probably doesn’t belong in this discussion at all anymore. The question has shifted from whether he arrives to how quickly he settles in.

William Villeneuve’s Real Opportunity

If there is a player who feels closest to forcing the issue, it is William Villeneuve. The 24-year-old defenceman has put together a strong case, currently second in Marlies playoff scoring with 16 points in 19 games. It is not just the production. It is the way he moves the puck and controls transition.

Villeneuve skates well, sees the ice clearly, and makes a clean first pass out of the zone — skills the Maple Leafs have been trying to stabilize on the back end for some time. He has already had a brief NHL look, appearing in three games this season and averaging just over 17 minutes a night. He didn’t record a point, but he did not look overwhelmed either.

The question now is organizational. Is he a future roster piece, or is he a valuable trade asset in a larger deal? That decision may determine whether he becomes a regular on the big club or part of a different kind of transaction.

Jacob Quillan’s Steady Climb

Jacob Quillan doesn’t draw much attention, which is often how these stories begin. Since arriving from Quinnipiac, he has steadily improved. After 37 points in his first full AHL season, he followed it up with 36 points in just 40 games this season. That kind of progression tends to get noticed internally, even if it doesn’t generate headlines.

Quillan has also already spent time with the Maple Leafs — 23 games this season. Once a player has stood in that room, the next step is less about introduction and more about trust. If he arrives at camp healthy, he will have a real chance to push himself into a depth centre role. Not guaranteed. But certainly in the conversation.

The Long-Term Group

After those three, things become more developmental. Ryan Tverberg and Luke Haymes have both had strong playoff performances, each recording 11 points. Tverberg was a late-round pick in 2020, while Haymes arrived as an undrafted free agent out of Dartmouth. Both have earned attention, but both are still in the “soon, not yet” category.

Then there is Ben Danford. He may not be the closest to the NHL, but he may ultimately matter the most. The 20-year-old first-round pick has looked increasingly comfortable as the playoffs have gone on. Early on, his minutes were limited. Lately, his role has expanded.

What stands out is his calmness. Danford rarely looks rushed. He handles pressure cleanly, slows the game down, and consistently creates time for himself with the puck. For a young defenceman, that trait is difficult to teach. He looks like a player who will spend next season in a significant role with the Marlies, with NHL time still a step beyond that.

Finally, there is goaltender Artur Akhtyamov. He has taken over the Marlies net in the postseason, starting 15 straight games and posting an 11-6 record with a 2.12 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage. Even so, Dennis Hildeby still appears to sit ahead of him on the organizational depth chart. At the NHL level, Akhtyamov remains a call-up option unless injuries or roster moves change the landscape.

The Shape of It All for the Maple Leafs

Stripped down, the picture becomes fairly clear. Cowan is effectively already on the team. Villeneuve and Quillan have real opportunities to force their way into NHL roles. Danford represents the long view — the player who may not arrive first, but could eventually matter most.

Beyond that, the Marlies remain what most AHL teams are: a mix of developing prospects and experienced professionals who understand exactly what they are. And that, in its own way, is still part of the story.

[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]