Two Underrated Leafs Prospects Highlight the Next Wave of Graduates to the Lineup

Having already traded away Fraser Minten in order to bring Brandon Carlo in, the prospect depth of the Toronto Maple Leafs isn't necessarily the strongest.

They have some interesting pieces like Ben Danford and Easton Cowan, but beyond that; it's not like they have a Cole Eiserman or Cutter Gauthier.

But it doesn't mean that those in the system can't come in and make an impact.

We've already seen names like Matthew Knies come up as young prospects and put on a show, which could lead to him getting a huge payday. Well, if the Maple Leafs had their way, two of them could be making their way to the team come 2025.

The emergence of both defenseman William Villeneuve and center Jacob Quillan has been a pleasant surprise for the team. Both players offer a vastly different skillset though both can make just as equal an impact. Let's take a look.

Starting with Quillan, the former Quinnipiac University standout has already had a brief call-up for the team this season due to some unfortunate injuries as well as some top tier production.

The NCAA standout has 28 points in 54 games for the Toronto Marlies this season, and while it's not eye-popping numbers, his skillset is more of a Swiss Army knife as opposed to solely focused on offense and signed with the team in April of last season.

He wins face-offs, he throws hits, he plays with some edge. It's a Craig Berube-type player if I've ever seen one. Plus he's fairly beefy at 6'0, 200 pounds with lots of room to grow and is only 23.

He did get to skate in one game this season, and while it was a great chance to see what he can offer, but was mainly just an emergency stop-gap for some injured players and deserved a call-up at the time.

His clutch factor is also through the charts, leading Quinnipiac to the first championship in their school's history after defeating potential future teammate Matthew Knies' Minnesota.

With Toronto needing a future 3C/4C with the potential that David Kampf or Calle Jarnkrok might be traded, Quillan would fit perfectly and essentially fill Fraser Minten's role next season with the Leafs.

Villeneuve has come out of nowhere it feels like to be one of the scariest young two-way threats for years to come. Though a bit lanky at 6'2, 183 pounds, he's got room to grow and if he does, teams need to watch out.

With his third straight 25+ point season, the Sherbrooke, QC native has shown he can be a true offensive threat (especially since he dropped a blistering 48 assists with Saint John's in 2021-22).

Drafted 122nd overall, the Maple Leafs could have a star on their hands, and his consistency, offensive potential and shot-handedness leaves him in a prime position to fight for a spot.

Toronto needs puck-moving defensemen, and with the Simon Benoit and Philippe Myers experiments not going to plan, it would be smart to give him a chance to see what he can do, especially with veteran Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

We do have to see how Toronto approaches free agency and how they start to construct their lineup, especially if they are going to be without certain key pieces come October.

But if they run into an issue and need a couple of standouts to hold down the fort, they need to look no further than Jacob Quillan and William Villeneuve.