Surprise Maple Leafs Prospect Turning Heads as Future Top-Four Defenseman

The prospect pool for the Toronto Maple Leafs has grown in recent weeks thanks to some big time free agent additions that give a lot of hope for the future, especially after Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin were dealt away at the trade deadline.

While they've done well to add to their team, there are a still a few homegrown prospects who could make an impact for the team next season. Easton Cowan could be up for a spell, and the likes of Jacob Quillan and Luke Haymes could see some time too.

But there's one potential player who could not only end up playing for the team next season, but end up being a huge part of their future going forward.

After being named a finalist for the Eastern Conference Defenseman of the Year, Chadwick has cemented himself firmly as a prospect to keep an eye on if you're the Maple Leafs organization.

It's not too often that a 185th overall pick gets anywhere near the level that Chadwick has reached, and for him to rise up the ranks ahead of other players in the system such as Topi Niemala and Mikko Kokkonen; he's only going to surpass other names and could potentially give Danford a run for his money.

At 6'4, 203 pounds he is your typical big-bodied defender who intimidates opponents and provides solid shot blocking and defensive metrics.

However, Chadwick isn't just a defensive threat, and poured in 53 points over 66 games (13G, 40A) while captaining Lethbridge this season.

A lot of Toronto's defensemen in the system play a more defensive game, and Chadwick offers a jack of all trades on the blue line; something the Maple Leafs have not found too many of in recent years.

Plus with Toronto's aging defense corps, there's no telling how important he's going to be in a few seasons and if he turns pro next season, might not be in the Marlies system too long before finding himself called up.

If Chadwick were to win the award, he could very well earn himself a strong look at training camp, and while he is a longshot to make the team out of camp, a good performance will no doubt give Craig Berube a better idea of how he can utilize his defensive prospect going forward.

But for now it's just up to Chadwick to keep playing the way he has been, because if he continues this pace then not only will he dominate for the Marlies, but eventually the Maple Leafs as well.