Toronto Maple Leafs Top Six: Bold Predictions

On the assumption that the Toronto Maple Leafs are not picking up another top-six forward, I am going to try to dissect the top six. We know four of the top six slots are filled. Knies will most likely go with Matthews and Tavares with Nylander. Who are the last two forwards in the crapshoot? I can go so many different ways, I could get a headache trying to figure out which one.

I’m gonna make this quick and painless. I’m going to go with my first choice and not question it. Most likely, I’ll be wrong.

Knies and Matthews

I struggled with this because the best choice is probably the wrong one. Right now, I am pencilling in the young kid. I know a lot of people are going to shoot me down on this one, but his skills are the best fit. I am speaking of Easton Cowan. Easton has all the skills and speed, with a sneaky wrist shot.

Cowan’s hockey IQ is off the charts, and he doesn’t shy away from physical play. He is always thinking ahead, so he knows where to be. Note: If Cowan does not play the top 6, let him go down to the AHL. I feel putting him in the bottom six will not help his progress.

Nylander and Tavares

Nylander and Tavares have the perfect chemistry. What they need is someone who thinks like them and has the speed to match them. I like what I hear about Matias Maccelli. His work ethic and attitude are exactly what the doctor ordered. Matias has speed to burn and some excellent playmaking skills. He will mesh well with Nylander, and Tavares should have fun distributing the puck to these two speedsters. Macelli has some terrific passing skills and thinks on the fly. He will blossom in the Leafs’ system.

Sneaky good signing

Everyone is familiar with the duo of Woll and Stolartz. They now have a pretty good net-minder who has their backs if one goes down. The Leafs brought back Swedish prospect goalie Dennis Hildeby in an under-the-radar signing. Known for his technical skills, he uses his size to cover the net. He rarely gets caught out of the net, so he might be one of the best third-string goalies in the league. I would like to venture that he might be on a few of the teams’ wish lists in the NHL. Brad did excellent work in locking him up for the next three seasons.