The Toronto Maple Leafs Top 5 Prospects If They Should Trade

Over the past few years, the Toronto Maple Leafs have built their forward prospect pool up quite significantly compared to prior years.

Previous general managers were quick to trade away prospects before they had time to fully develop. Current Toronto prospects such as Philippe Paradis, Chris Didomenico, Kenny Ryan and Jerry D’amigo have the potential to be top-6 forwards in the NHL, but they are far from 'sure things'.

There is a slight chance that Nazem Kadri may be our only blue chip prospect, so stocking the system with more high-end talent would be a very smart move.

This article outlines 5 top prospects Brian Burke should try to acquire through trade. These prospects would be very difficult to pry away from the teams that drafted them, but stranger things have happened.

I will not propose any crazy trade scenarios that would bring one of them here, although assets such as Tomas Kaberle, Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin (if the Leafs and Kulemin do not reach a contract agreement) are a good start. Burke’s dream prospect consists of the perfect mix of skill, speed and toughness.  If he could trade for any of these blue chip prospects, the Leafs would have a much brighter future ahead of them.

1 .  Joe Colborne

Height: 6’5”  Weight: 200 lbs

Drafted: 2008 – Boston (1^st Round, 16^th Overall)

2009-2010 Team: University of Denver (NCAA)

2009-2010 Stats: GP: 39, Goals: 22, Assists: 19, Points: 41

Joe Colborne is a giant power forward who still hasn’t filled out yet. When he hits about 230 lbs look out.

As only a sophomore this season he was Denver’s top center and leading goal scorer. This guy definitely has the potential to be a top-3 forward in the NHL…hopefully on the Blue and White.

Boston has always had a thing for Kaberle so you never know.

2.  Cody Hodgson

Height: 6’0”  Weight: 190 lbs                       

Drafted: 2008 – Vancouver (1^st Round, 10^th Overall)

2009-2010 Team: Brampton Battalion (OHL)

2009-2010 Stats: GP: 13, Goals: 8, Assists: 12, Points: 20

I’m sure you all remember Cody Hodgson from his solid play in the 2008 World Junior Championship for Canada.

Hodgson is a very skilled and smart player who has a nose for the net. He’s a pure sniper who also doesn’t mind getting his nose dirty in the corners.

The only knock on him is that he missed most of the 2009-2010 season with back troubles, and it is not known if this will be a reoccurring issue. This kid is so talented I would take a chance on him, and the potential back issue may have made his price tag go down.

There have been rumors going around that the Canucks are unhappy with Hodgson over a training issue, so it might not be impossible to pry him away from Vancouver.

3.  Kyle Beach

Height: 6’3”  Weight: 210 lbs

Drafted: 2008 – Chicago (1^st Round, 11^th Overall)

2009-2010 Team: Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

2009-2010 Stats: GP: 68, Goals: 52, Assists: 34, Points: 86

Another top power forward prospect, but with a big mean streak.  Beach racked up 186 penalty minutes this season, to go along with 52 goals.

I would say this is Burke’s dream prospect that could basically play on any line. Since he is a prospect on such a deep Chicago Blackhawks team they may be willing to part with him, but the price I’m sure would be pretty steep.

If the Leafs can’t acquire him before he cracks the Hawks roster, I have a feeling Chicago won’t be able to re-sign him after his entry level contract expires due to hefty contracts already in place for players such as Towes, Kane, Keith and Hossa. 

Hopefully Burke can make a pitch for him at that point

4.       Zack Kassian

Height: 6’3”  Weight 215 lbs

Drafted: 2009 – Buffalo (1^st Round, 13^th Overall)

2009-2010 Team: Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

2009-2010 Stats: GP: 38, Goals: 12, Assists: 19, Points: 31

Kassian is another tough guy with an offensive upside, although not as much skill as the players mentions above.

If he plays up to his potential in the NHL, he could turn out to be the next Milan Lucic. Kassian is no stranger to dropping the gloves with 291 penalty minutes in his current 3-year career in the OHL.  Kassian has a pretty big blemish on his record with a 20-game suspension due to a terrible head shot hit on Matt Kennedy of the Barrie Colts.

Hopefully he learned his lesson and cleans up his play, although hopefully not too much because his grit is what makes him such an effective player.

I know I said I wouldn’t propose any trade scenarios, but Kaberle is definitely on Buffalo’s radar so I could see a package put together for Burke which includes Kassian and a top-6 forward or a 1^st round pick.

5.  Greg Nemisz

Height: 6’3”  Weight 200 lbs

Drafted: 2008 – Calgary (1^st Round, 25^th Overall)

Current Team: Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

2009-2010 Stats: GP: 51, Goals: 34, Assists: 36, Points: 70

Nemisz played the power forward role on the 2010 World Junior team who just fell short to the Americans. 

His skating ability could use some work but he is excellent in front of the net and he has great hands. 

He could solve the Maple Leafs problems on the power play by screening the goalie while Phaneuf and Kessel wire the shots. No one stepped up to fill that role this year so a player like this would be very valuable.

Obviously the Leafs and Flames don’t mind dealing with each other, and Calgary is still looking for offensive depth (maybe a prospect swap?).

In my opinion, acquiring players through free agency is not the answer.

Without first-round draft picks over the next two years we have to build a championship team using other strategies. These are just a handful of prospects the Leafs could target this summer through trade, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we can bring in more young talent to keep adding to the core of this team.

The future is already looking bright, but with a couple more key pieces this team could be a cup contender sooner than we think.