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With Easton Cowan playing well for the NHL club, defenceman Ben Danford moves into our top spot among Toronto’s prospects.
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Published Dec 03, 2025 • Last updated 7 hours ago • 5 minute read
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Toronto Maple Leafs’ Jacob Quillan checks Detroit Red Wings’ Moritz Seider (53) to the ice during a preseason game. AP PhotoArticle content
Two months into the regular season, it’s time for our second Maple Leafs prospect power rankings of 2025-26.
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Breaking down the Leafs prospects is a monthly feature at the Toronto Sun and Postmedia.
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We’re not including forward Easton Cowan here. He has become a contributor with the Leafs and is doing more than enough to remain in Toronto’s top six on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander. And that’s with a full group of Leafs forwards, as there currently are no injures up front.
And goalie Dennis Hildeby comes off the rankings this month as he is with the Leafs. That is not expected to change any time soon as Anthony Stolarz continues to recover from an upper-body injury that has kept him out of the lineup since Nov. 11.
1. Ben Danford, D, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
Drafted in the first round in 2024 (31st overall)
This season: 20 GP, 1 G, 11 A, 12 Pts
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When we talked to Danford two weeks ago, he said that he was “trying to open some doors to show that I do have offensive upside.”
After the Bulldogs acquired him from the Oshawa Generals at the end of October, Danford had six assists in his first four games with Brantford, went pointless in six games in a row and had an assist in consecutive games before the Bulldogs played host to Kingston on Wednesday.
Whether the offensive side eventually fully comes for Danford is not an issue. His defensive game remains solid and he’s in the running to be named to Canada’s junior team training camp roster on Monday.
2. Jacob Quillan, C, Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Signed as a free agent in April 2024
This season: 16 GP, 2 G, 13 A, 15 Pts
The Leafs liked what they saw when Quillan was recalled in November and played in a couple of games. He’s quicker than he has been in the past. With the glut of forwards at the NHL level, Quillan will have to bide his time. What’s important for him is to keep separating himself so he’s always the first thought when the Leafs need a forward. The question: Can he eventually become an everyday Leaf or will he have to follow the path of someone like Alex Steeves, who was excellent for the Marlies but chose to leave in free agency? Steeves is now getting regular shifts with the Boston Bruins.
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3. Artur Akhtyamov, G, Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Drafted in the fourth round in 2020 (106th overall)
This season: 11 GP, 6-5-0, .898 SAV%, 3.04 GAA
The trickle-down effect with Hildeby backing up with the Leafs benefits Akhtyamov, as he was getting the bulk of starts with the Marlies and was adjusting to a heavier workload. After going 5-2 in seven starts in November, Akhtyamov was pulled last Friday in Charlotte and watched the next night as Vyacheslav Peksa won in Charlotte.
4. Miroslav Holinka, C, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
Drafted in the fifth round in 2024 (151st overall)
This season: 25 GP, 14 G, 24 A, 38 Pts
Holinka continued to increase his value in November, recording 23 points (seven goals and 16 assists) in 12 games to move into third place in WHL scoring. His 16 power-play points overall were tied for second in the league and his 13 power-play assists were one off the league lead. He’s also one of just nine WHL players to have two shorthanded goals to this point.
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5. William Villeneuve, D, Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Drafted in the fourth round in 2020 (122nd overall)
This season: 20 GP, 2 G, 10 A, 12 Pts
Villeneuve is remaining patient as he continues to develop in his fourth full season with the Marlies. Some would have preferred to see the right-shooting 23-year-old with the Leafs at some point already, but the club is in no rush to promote him and use him in a game — even with right-shot D-men Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo nursing injuries. The recent addition of Troy Stecher, who has been sharp for the Leafs since he was claimed off waivers on Nov. 15 from Edmonton, didn’t help Villeneuve’s chances of being recalled.
6. Noah Chadwick, D, Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Drafted in the sixth round in 2023 (185th overall)
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This season: 19 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 Pts
Chadwick made his presence known offensively on Nov. 22 in a 7-2 Marlies win against the visiting Iowa Wild, scoring his first professional goal and adding two assists for his first multi-point game in the AHL. Chadwick is getting a good look as an AHL rookie, playing in all but one game to date as he adjusts to the physicality and proper positioning at the minor-pro level.
7. Luke Haymes, C, Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Signed as a free agent in March 2025
This season: 17 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 Pts
An upper-body injury caused Haymes to miss a few games in November, but it didn’t put a dent in his enthusiasm. Finding the scoresheet has been a challenge and the adjustment to the grind of the minor-pro schedule is ongoing. Still, the Marlies staff likes his compete level and his hockey smarts.
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8. Vyacheslav Peksa, G, Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Drafted in the sixth round in 2021 (185th overall)
This season: 4 GP, 1-1–0, .914 SAV%, 2.83 GAA
We’ll be curious to see whether Peksa can give Akhtyamov a good run for starts with the Marlies. As mentioned, because of the Stolarz situation and Hildeby up with the Leafs, starts are available in the minors. On Saturday, Peksa recorded his first AHL win, making 35 saves in Charlotte against the Checkers in a 5-3 Marlies victory.
9. Harry Nansi, RW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Drafted in the fifth round in 2025 (153rd overall)
This season: 28 GP, 9 G, 26 A, 35 Pts
Following an excellent start to his third OHL season, Nansi’s production dropped a bit in his past 10 games. Still, he maintained a point-a-game average with 10 points and was ninth overall in league scoring. His 35 points are one more than he had in his previous two OHL seasons combined (32 in 108 games).
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10. Tyler Hopkins, C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
Drafted in the third round in 2025 (86th overall)
This season: 26 GP, 10 G, 13 A, 23 Pts
Hopkins was getting into more of a groove production-wise, recording 10 points (three goals and seven assists) in eight games before the Frontenacs played in Brantford on Wednesday night. In just one of those games was Hopkins held off the scoresheet. As of Tuesday, Hopkins leads Kingston in scoring.
X: @koshtorontosun
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