Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Leafs Prospect Update – 2019
February 8, 2023, 5:58 PM ET [227 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSS • Archive • CONTACT
Be sure to like HockeyBuzz on facebook!

For the latest Leafs updates or on Twitter

*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page. *******

Throughout the season, we will check in on Toronto Maple Leafs prospects to see how they are progressing. The progress of draft picks is not linear, so the fact that Leafs selections from the 2019 Draft in Vancouver have not yielded great results yet does not mean that they will not going forward. Toronto traded their first-round pick to Los Angeles in the Jake Muzzin deal, but to this point Tobias Bjornfot has not made a significant impact with the Kings.

The Leafs had six picks in the 2019 Draft, here is how they are currently doing:

Nick Robertson – LW - Toronto Maple Leafs/Toronto Marlies



Things appeared to be finally going in a positive direction for the oft-injured Robertson. After returning from a broken leg and playing well in the second half of last season for the Marlies, the winger had an excellent training camp and soon earned a call-up to the NHL.

The injury to Calle Jarnkrok appeared to be Robertson’s opportunity to get a lengthy chance at playing in the top six, but that ended when he suffered a dislocated shoulder against the LA Kings on December 8, which officially ended his season last month when the club announced that Robertson would be undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.




Mikko Kokkonen – D - Newfoundland Growlers / Toronto Marlies



The 22-year-old Finn has split time between the ECHL and AHL to get consistent playing time after coming over from the SM-Liiga. Considered more of a two-way blueliner, Kokkonen has six assists in 27 games with the Marlies, and has a team-best +7plus/minus rating.




Mikhail Abramov – C - Toronto Marlies



Abramov missed most of training camp with a back injury, and has struggled to regain some of the offensive spark he showed as a rookie In 30 games, the 21-year-old center has 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists) in 30 games.




Nick Abruzzese – LW - Toronto Marlies



Abruzzese played for Team USA at the Beijing Olympics, signed with the Leafs after finishing his NCAA season with Harvard, and played nine games with Toronto to burn the first year of his entry-level contract.

The 23-year-old has transitioned well to the professional game, and is fourth on Marlies team scoring with 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) in 45 games.




Michael Koster – D – University of Minnesota



A teammate of Leafs top prospect Matthew Knies, Koster in his junior season with the Golden Gophers has 17 points (2 goals, 15 assists) in 28 games.



Kalle Loponen – D – KooKoo Kouvala/Kettera



Considered a long-term prospect, Loponen for the second straight season has split time between the lower-division Mestis and upper-division SM-Liiga in Finland, playing with HPK, KooKoo and Kettera this season.




*******




Join the Discussion: » 227 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Mike Augello
» Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects - #3
» Leafs Waive Murray, Sign Pacioretty & Lorentz
» Podcast Sunday - The Leafs Convo and Off The Post Radio
» Treliving Says Nylander’s Center Experiment Will Continue; Leafs vs. Wings
» Robertson Leaving Little Doubt; Leafs Top Wings