Toronto Maple Leafs: Rookies in Franchise History

Toronto Maple Leafs F Auston Matthews/William Nylander Best Chance at First Calder Trophy Win Since 1965-66

Toronto Maple Leafs F Auston Matthews dawned the blue and white for the first time on Monday since being selected first overall at the NHL Draft in Buffalo. Joining other top Leafs prospects at development camp, it seems the Matthews era has officially begun in Toronto.

After showing great patience in year one of a rebuild, suffering through several nights of near-impossible hockey to watch, Leafs fans were eventually rewarded towards the end of 2015-16 with short auditions for numerous prospects.

Players such as William Nylander, Nikita Soshnikov, and Zach Hyman brought an element of creativity/excitement giving fans a taste of the future. 

It’s unclear how many younger players with join the big club in 2016-17, but regardless, expectations should only be somewhat increased. Even with several key additions, there’s no reason to begin throwing the word “playoffs” around – not so soon at least.

The keyword moving forward should be growth. These kids need to get NHL experience, but it will come with growing pains. This is precisely why so much money was invested in Mike Babcock. The coaching staff needs to work with these kids and give them confidence by continually throwing them in the trenches even during those tough stretches so they can learn to battle through the mental toughness/grind of the NHL.

So exactly which prospects could be joining Toronto Maple Leafs F Auston Matthews in the lineup? Opinions tend to vary across the board, making this pure speculation.

High Likelihood

Mitch Marner
William Nylander
Nikita Soshnikov
Zach Hyman
Connor Carrick
Nikita Zaitsev

Could Earn Spot With Impressive Training Camp

Rinat Valiev
Viktor Loov
Dmytro Timashov

AHL Bound to Open the Year, But Likely on Call Up Short-List

Brendan Leipsic
Kasperi Kapanen
Connor Brown
Andreas Johnson

As it stands today (including Joffrey Lupul), Toronto has nine of 13 forward spots filled. Include Matthews and Nylander, and that leaves two spots for Marner, Soshnikov, Hyman, Lindberg, etc.

If the Leafs can shed just one of those contracts, it will leave enough room to start the year with every forward listed in “high likelihood” above.

Toronto Maple Leafs F Auston Matthews/Wiliam Nylander vs. Franchise Rookie History

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After coming up three games shy of losing rookie status in 2015-16, William Nylander joins Auston Matthews as the Leafs double down on their first chance to win a Calder Memorial Trophy (Top Rookie) since Brit Selby did it in 1965-66.

Even though the Maple Leafs have gone 50 years without winning the award, no team has won it more times over its 83-year existence than Toronto.

Having won it a total of nine times, the next closest is Boston, Chicago, and NY Rangers with eight. Those nine wins occurred between 1936-1965 (29-year period), including three in a row in the 1940s.

Previous Toronto Maple Leafs Calder Trophy Winners

1936-37 – Syl Apps
1942-43 – Gaye Stewart
1943-44 – Gus Bodnar
1944-45 – Frank McCool
1946-47 – Howie Meeker
1957-58 – Frank Mahovlich
1960-61 – Dave Keon
1962-63 – Kent Douglas
1965-66 – Brit Selby

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Even if Matthews and Nylander fall short of capturing the Calder Trophy, there are still a few significant franchise milestones the pair can strive for.

The most difficult of which is Toronto’s all-time rookie points leader Peter Ihnacak who posted 66 in 1982-83.

Another tough one to match will be Wendel Clark‘s 34 goals in 1985-86 (the last time Toronto picked 1st overall).

It’s perhaps Gus Bodnar’s 40 assists in 1943-44 that seems most plausible of the three to be shattered.

50-60 points is wishful thinking for Auston Matthews as is, so it would have to be a lopsided stat line to hit 40 helpers.

Next: Top 5 Contracts Signed in Free Agency

What do you think Leafs fans? Can Auston Matthews and William Nylander compete with the likes of Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi, Shea Theodore, Sebastian Aho, Mikko Rantanen, Oliver Bjorkstand, Anthony Mantha, Adrian Kempe, Pavel Zacha, Dylan Strome (the list goes) for Calder consideration?

With Leafs rookie records set at 34-40-66 (goals-assists-points), how will Matthews/Nylander compare? If Mitch Marner stays with the big club in 2016-17, how does that change that Leafs fortunes? What are your realistic expectations for Leafs prospects moving forward?