Jesse Blacker

Age: 20
Position: Defense
Height: 6'1
Weight: 190lbs
Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2009, 2nd Round 58th Overall Pick.
Currently playing with Toronto Marlies (AHL)

The Summary
Jesse Blacker is a solid defenseman who is positionally sound and has great offensive instincts.  He is a very strong skater and he likes to rush the puck up the ice. I was at the Marlies game last Friday and I witnessed Jesse scoring his first goal in the AHL.  He used his skating ability and speed to get up the ice and fired an accurate wrister past the goalie.  Overall, he is an all around reliable and solid defenseman who can contribute both defensively and offensively.  He is also mobile and willing to throw hits around. 

The Now
Jesse Blacker is in his first full season in the AHL with the Marlies. At training camp, Jesse made a big case for himself by showing Leafs management his skating ability and intelligence with puck.  He caught the attention of Leafs management along with another rookie, Jake Gardiner, who has remained with the Leafs all season. He is slowly adjusting to the pro game after playing 4 years in the OHL.  Jesse has played in 46 games this season and has 1 goal and 13 assists.  His point totals are considered low compared to the success he had in the last season of the OHL with 54 points in 62 games.  Throughout the season, Jesse's been adjusting to the speed and the size of the players in the AHL and he is steadily developing and gaining more confidence. 

The Coming Soon
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a strong pool of defensive prospects and Jesse Blacker is one of the top 3.  He will take some time to develop and get stronger in the AHL but it shouldn't be too long before we see him with the Leafs.  He fits in perfectly with the Leafs playing style right now which is speed, speed and more speed. The Leafs blue line is looking really good in the next couple of years, with a good mix of speed, size and grit.  Jesse Blacker has the potential to be a top 4 defender for the Leafs in the next 3 or 4 years and he will definitely be quartering the power play. 

Matt Frattin

Age: 24
Position: Right Wing
Height: 6'0
Weight: 200lbs
Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2007, 4th Round 99th Overall Pick.
Currently playing with Toronto Marlies (AHL)

The Summary
Matt Frattin is a strong two-way player who is offensively talented and defensively sound.  He is not afraid to battle in the corners and for his size, he can surprisingly lay some big hits.  His biggest strengths are his quick and hard shot and also his strong skating abilities.  Overall, he is a well rounded player that can contribute in all zones of the ice.

The Now
This season, Matt Frattin was given an opportunity to play with the Toronto Maple Leafs after he completed his time in the NCAA with North Dakota.  He showed flashes of his potential but was not able to make a big impact on the Leafs roster.  In 37 games with the Leafs this season, he was only able to register 10 points.  Matt was later assigned to the Toronto Marlies in order for him to get more playing time and to gain confidence and adjust to the professional level.

The Coming Soon
Matt Frattin is a young and promising prospect for the Leafs.  He is quickly developing into a solid 2nd or 3rd line winger.  If he reaches his potential, he will be able to provide the Leafs with consistent secondary scoring and also an improved puck possession game with his ability to get in the dirty areas and battle for the puck.  Drafted in the 4th round in 2007, Matt Frattin has come a long way in his development and with the extra ice time he is getting with the Marlies, he will be knocking on the Leafs doors once again and will more than likely make a huge impact on the Leafs roster next year. 

Joe Colborne

Age: 22
Position: Centre
Height: 6'5
Weight: 213lbs
Drafted by Boston Bruins in 2008, 1st Round 16th Overall Pick.
Acquired from Boston via Trade
Currently playing with Toronto Marlies (AHL)


Joe Colborne is a big center that can make plays and score goals.  He makes smart passes and isn't afraid to take the puck into traffic.  He also has a good shot and knows how to use his body to protect the puck. With his size and skill set, he is the type of player that the Leafs have been missing since the departure of Mats Sundin. 


Joe, playing in his 4th year in the AHL, is having a great season.  In October, he was named AHL player of the month with 16 points in nine games.  He currently is having his best season in the AHL with 31 points in 36 games. The Toronto Marlies are giving him a great opportunity to play in all types of situations and allowing him to gain confidence and improve his play.  A noticeable improvement to Joe's game is his improved skating.  For his size, he can skate pretty fast. 


Joe Colborne has played a few games with the Maple Leafs this season, but was not able to show the same success that he has had with the Marlies.  He will need some more time in the minors to develop his all around game and to get stronger and faster in order to play in the NHL.  With the great season he is having this year, it looks like Joe Colborne will be ready for the Leafs by next year.  A big playmaking center is exactly the type of player the Leafs need right now so there is a big opportunity for him to earn a spot and make an impact with the Leafs very soon.  

Nazem Kadri

Age: 21
Position: Centre/Winger
Height: 6'0
Weight: 188lbs
Drafted by Toronto Maple Leafs in 2009, 1st Round 7th Overall Pick.
Currently playing with Toronto Marlies (AHL)

Of all the Leafs prospects in the system, Nazem Kadri is most ready for the NHL. He is by far, one of the most skilled players the Leafs have had in their system in a very long time. Nazem possess high playmaking skills allowing him to make creative plays with slick and accurate passes.  Not only can he make passes, he can also score goals too, as his stick handling skills are top notch and he possess an accurate wrist shot as well. Nazem Kadri is also known for playing on an edge by playing physical and agitating his opponents by getting under their skin.  His skill combination with physical edge makes him a dangerous threat for opponents each night.

He has made short stints in the NHL over the past two seasons, but has not been able to stick with the team. One of the main reasons why Nazem has not been able to earn a permanent roster spot in the Leafs line up is because of his defensive play and he has not adjusted well to the NHL yet.  Over the past 2 seasons, he has been working to improve his defensive play and to not cause any turnovers that would hurt his team.  It has been one of his weak points since his junior days and it is very evident when you watch him play in the NHL.  Working with the coaching staff with the Toronto Marlies, has helped Nazem Kadri strengthen his weakness and evident by his recently play with the Leafs, he has developed a better awareness defensively and has learned to make smarter plays to minimize turnovers.

With his skill, creativity, and physical edge, Nazem Kadri has potential to develop into an important piece of the Toronto Maple Leafs. There are glaring weaknesses to his play that is currently being worked on but once Nazem can put everything together, he will be very successful in the NHL.  The pressure is on him to prove to Leafs fans and Leafs management why he was drafted 7th overall in 2009, but I believe he has the confidence, attitude and skills to accept the challenge and succeed.  Toronto Maple Leafs fans have been looking forward to Nazem to develop into a high impact player for the Leafs since his draft day and that day looks to come very soon based on his recent play in the NHL.