Predicting the Next 5 Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects to Arrive in the NHL

Toronto Maple Leafs fans need to start focusing on the future as the here and now isn't going to be pretty. The Leafs have fallen out of the playoff race and it is highly doubtful that they can climb back into contention.

The organization has to re-focus on developing players from within, which it seems to have begun doing.

Identifying top players as prospects, nurturing them for three or four seasons in most instances and then providing them with a positive environment at the NHL level is a basic formula. However, only a handful of organizations do this well on a permanent basis.

In no particular order, let's take a look at the next five Toronto Maple Leafs prospects who should arrive in the NHL permanently in the next year or two.

Honorable mentions go to Connor Brown, Greg McKegg, Frederik Gauthier and Matt Finn.

Petter Granberg, Defenceman, Toronto Marlies

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Petter Granberg is no Borje Salming, but not many young defenders can match the former Leafs great in most aspects of the game. Granberg has limited offensive upside (seven points in 26 games this season), but at 6'2" and over 200 pounds, he has the physical skills to be a very good NHL depth defender.

Granberg has above-average mobility and doesn't mind playing the body with regularity.

Could he do this more? Yes, but he's like dozens of other top defensive prospects who need to work on their ability to neutralize attacking players in the defensive zone.

Granberg has seven points in 26 games and is plus-three with the AHL's Toronto Marlies this season. He also has 18 penalty minutes. Expect him to make a real push for a regular NHL spot in training camp next fall.

Josh Leivo, Left Wing, Toronto Marlies

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Josh Leivo has the tools to be an NHLer in the immediate future. He's scored regularly at the AHL level this season with 13 points in 17 games.

He's played 16 regular-season games with the Leafs and earned three points. He's not going to be a top-line player. However, he's creative and a good enough skater to be in the Leafs' second or third line. 

Leivo has good size at 6'2" and nearly 200 pounds. He's not afraid to use it to cycle down low to create scoring chances.

He's no Phil Kessel, but the Leafs already have one of those.

Stuart Percy, Defenceman, Toronto Marlies

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Stuart Percy played some inspired hockey for the Leafs earlier this season. He was dynamic in the offensive zone and moved the puck with confidence in most games. He's posted three points in nine NHL games and six points in 19 AHL games in 2014-15.

He needs to continue to get stronger and work on his defensive game, but he has the intelligence to be a top-four NHL defender very soon. The Oakville, Ontario native is currently the Leafs' top defensive prospect.

He may not develop into a premier scorer from the back end, but he has the tools and toolbox to be one of the club's better all-around defenders.

Change is coming to the Leafs' NHL roster and expect Percy to be a key part in that.

William Nylander, Centre/Winger, Toronto Marlies

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If nothing else, William Nylander has the best hair among all Maple Leafs prospects—and it's not even close. Luckily, he offers much more than that.

Nylander has all-world speed and skill. Drafted eighth overall in the 2014 draft, he was a dominant player at the most recent IIHF World Junior Championships in Toronto and Montreal with 10 points in seven games. With MODO in the SHL, he currently boasts 20 points in 21 games.

He's not going to overwhelm NHL defenders with his size, but he's got the kind of skill and top speed that will have defenders sneaking a peek for their jocks after he zips by off the rush.

Nylander will finish the 2014-15 season with the Marlies, which will allow the organization to keep a much closer eye on their most prized prospect.

Unless something catastrophic happens, expect Nylander to be lacing them up with the Leafs next fall.

Sam Carrick, Centre, Toronto Marlies

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Sam Carrick is another Ontario-born Leafs prospect who should make good in the next season or two. Carrick has played 10 NHL games but has yet to register a point in a limited role. In the AHL this season, he's produced 16 points in 31 games.

That will change. The Markham, Ontario native is not going to be 30-goal NHL scorer, but he plays a very good two-way game that will serve him well at the NHL level.

Carrick's greatest gift as a hockey player is his ability to stir the pot with relish. He loves to mix it up and has that rare ability to be able to play skilled hockey at the same time, which can drive opponents into taking bad penalties. He has to be aware to not do the same himself as he plays the game on a thin edge.

Carrick isn't ever going to win the Lady Byng Trophy, but he's the kind of teammate who his beloved precisely because of his inability to play nice with other teams.

All stats can be found on hockeyDB.com unless noted otherwise.