In a surprising turn of events, two young Toronto Maple Leafs prospects – Fraser Minten and Brandon Lisowsky – now find themselves united on the ice. Last week, following Minten’s trade to the Saskatoon Blades, the twosome has now become an intriguing combination of skills. They will apply these skills together on the Canadian prairies.
While many Maple Leafs fans probably don’t watch the happenings of the Western Hockey League, this combination might be a fun one to keep up with. It could become an interesting partnership. How it unfolds could be of great benefit for Maple Leafs fans – eventually.
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Fraser Minten Is Going to Become a Member of the Maple Leafs – Soon
Minten, who moved from the Kamloops Blazers, is having a solid season – from being a member of the Maple Leafs regular-season roster to his move back to junior. He’s had a chance to showcase his two-way game in different venues. With 10 points in seven games for the Blazers and a goal in his debut with the Blades, Minten’s stock is on the rise. While he’s still refining his game, the promising forward appears ready to gain a spot on Canada’s world junior roster. That, too, should provide fans with a glimpse of his potential in the NHL.
Lisowsky, drafted alongside (but further down) Minten in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft (218th overall), brings a different dimension to the partnership. Despite his smaller stature at 5-foot-9, Lisowsky compensates with a work ethic that just doesn’t quit. In that way, he’s like Easton Cowan, another Maple Leafs prospect now playing junior with the London Knights.
Lisowsky is now in his fourth full-time season with the Blades and this season he has contributed 15 goals and 14 assists to the cause. So far, he’s put up 29 points in 25 games. His relentless approach and ability to force turnovers make him a valuable asset as a bottom-six two-way forward. His game, to me, seems similar to that of current depth forward Noah Gregor.
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Minten Should Make Canada’s World Juniors, Lisowsky Is a Long Shot
While Minten’s path to Canada’s world junior roster seems likely, Lisowsky faces longer odds. However, the prospect of playing alongside Minten gives him a valuable chance for his own development. The unique combination of Minten’s experience and Lisowsky’s workhorse mentality makes the Blades contenders in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Currently, the Blades sit closely behind the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL Eastern Conference standings.
What’s Next for Minten and Lisowsky?
For Maple Leafs fans, it should be fun to anticipate the continued growth of both prospects. For the Blades, it suddenly makes them a must-watch junior team for fans of Toronto. The twosome might make the Blades an exciting team to watch this season.
The Saskatchewan prairies might also become a proving ground for the future talents of Minten and Lisowsky, which adds another layer of excitement for the devoted followers of the Maple Leafs.