Thomas Vandenberg is the type of two-way centre the Maple Leafs gave away when they traded Fraser Minten
Photo credit: Ontario Hockey League
Ontario-born Thomas Vandenberg could be the type of player the Toronto Maple Leafs need in their system.
One name beyond the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft that the Toronto Maple Leafs should be eyeing is Ottawa 67's center Thomas Vandenberg.
Vandenberg, 17, has been one of the draft's big risers since last season, scoring 25 goals and 50 points in 59 games in what is his first OHL season.
The ever impressive Ryan Ma wrote in-depth about Vandenberg, as well as another potential Leafs pick I like in Jaxon Cover, which goes into greater detail about Vandenberg's game and projectability.
Vandenberg, although his game and development is more closer to an Easton Cowan, could be the type of high-energy center Toronto lost when they dealt Fraser Minten to the Boston Bruins.
Thomas Vandenberg is one of the youngest players in the 2026 NHL Draft with significant upside
One thing to really like about Thomas Vandenberg's game is that it's evident he's far from being a finished product at this point.
It's no surprise that Vandenberg is raw, he's one of the youngest players in this draft class, only a week out from the Sept. 15 cutoff, born on Sept. 8th, 2008.
Vandenberg is an all-around forward who has the effort level and motor to make up for a lack of size and strength, setting up a good foundation in his game to add some necessary frame to his body.
Vandenberg has been one of the OHL's top faceoff centers, leading all high usage centers with a 57% success rate, according to InStat. Vandenberg is a strong shooter who excels at breaking out with the puck and getting shots to go in, having scored most of his goals from short range.
Not the biggest player, Vandenberg has a drawback in being overtly physical, but has shown he can play in a way to make up for that lack of size, and in a potential third line role.
Toronto must prioritize elite skill to fix one of the weakest prospect pools in the NHL
After two drafts of taking safe floor players, the Leafs should focus on upside players like Vandenberg to rebuild their prospect pool.
Toronto's recent drafts under Brad Treliving have lacked much in terms of excitement, choosing to take players who have a high floor, and could fill depth spots. Now is the time to add skill.
The Leafs have one of the weakest prospect pools in the NHL, already lessened by Easton Cowan's graduation, and soon to be further with Jacob Quillan a possible full-timer next season.
Center isn't the biggest prospect need with Quillan, Miroslav Holinka, Tyler Hopkins, & Tinus Luc Koblar, but you cam never have enough of a good thing in a prospect pool.
Vandenberg is a highly likable prospect, a player with clear room to advance his game, while looking to be a natural center who can score goals and engage defensively, an example of the type of uptempo offensive player the Leafs need to add more of.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
The high price the Maple Leafs must pay to keep Auston Matthews in Toronto
The high price the Maple Leafs must pay to keep Auston Matthews in Toronto
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 26|1224 ANSWERS Thomas Vandenberg is the type of two-way centre the Maple Leafs gave away when they traded Fraser Minten Should the Leafs draft more skilled upside players? | ||
| Yes | 1098 | 89.7 % |
| No | 126 | 10.3 % |
| List of polls | ||