Photo credit: Steven Ellis – Daily Faceoff
Two Toronto Marlies defensemen may have just hurt their chances of earning a call-up with the Maple Leafs after botched play leading to highlight reel goal against.
Earlier this week, it seemed as though Leafs prospect William Villeneuve was making a strong case for an NHL call-up after a strong start to his season. Now, that opportunity may be a little further away.
Villeneuve isn’t the only one who may have hurt his chances of earning a look at the NHL level, as his partner, Henry Thrun, also may have burned himself on Wednesday night.
The pair were on the wrong end of a highlight reel play on Wednesday as Providence Bruins forward Fabian Lysell, one of the top prospects in the Boston Bruins’ organization, forced not one, but two errors from the young Leafs hopefuls before tucking home a sensational goal.
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler was quick to point out that the play may have singlehandedly reversed any potential decisions the Leafs may have been about to make in regards to a potential NHL recall.
Villeneuve has produced 2 goals and 11 points so far this season, and is beginning to develop his defensive game — though this play was not a strong example of that.
Meanwhile, Thrun, who has 119 games of NHL experience under his belt, has produced 3 goals and 9 points across his first 17 games of the season — though he is also a -5 rating over that span as well.
Villeneuve was more likely to have earned a call-up before Thrun, who was a -23 in San Jose last season. Villeneuve spent his entire 2024-25 season with the Marlies, where he posted a career high 40 points in 55 games and finished the year as a +17.
Now, it will be up to these two defenders to get back up on their horse and make the Leafs forget all about this blunder and prove that they belong at or near the top of the short list for an NHL call-up.
Previously on Toronto Hockey Daily