The TLN Maple Leafs prospect rankings were compiled by a panel of seven TLN writers, each ranking our top 20 prospects to form a consensus group ranking.
Rather than hard and fast limits on age or NHL games played to determine “prospect” eligibility, our group decided on a more nuanced approach to include any reasonably young player who is either under contract with the Leafs or on the club’s reserve list, who has not yet established himself as a full-time NHLer.
The 2023-24 season was a bit of a chaotic one for Fraser Minten, but through the highs and lows, he has accelerated his NHL timeline and secured his place as one of the top prospects in the Maple Leafs’ organization.
It started out in training camp last fall, with Minten looking to turn the page on a somewhat disappointing second half to his draft+1 season that was capped off by an underwhelming showing at the Memorial Cup. Not only did he turn the page, but he may have jumped ahead a couple of chapters with his performance in the preseason, which earned him a spot on the Leafs’ opening night roster. Though it was more of an audition than an arrival, Minten was never expected to compete for an NHL job as soon as he did, and his inclusion on the roster to start the season illustrated the growth in his game, as well as the Leafs’ belief in him as a key part of their future.
Ultimately, Minten appeared in just four games for the Leafs before he was sent back to his junior club in Kamloops, going pointless while averaging 11:26 of ice time per game. Though he was unable to make much of an offensive impact in his brief NHL stint, he didn’t look overwhelmed by the level of competition, with the Leafs controlling nearly 57% of the expected goals while Minten was on the ice at 5v5.
Upon his return to Kamloops, the rebuilding Blazers made Minten their captain, but he played just seven games before he was dealt to the Saskatoon Blades in late November. He barely had time to settle in with Saskatoon, playing five games with his new club before he was off to represent Canada at the World Juniors in Sweden. He was productive in three pre-tournament games, notching three goals and two assists, and was once again bestowed the honour of being named captain, this time for Team Canada.
Unfortunately, Minten and the rest of his Canadian teammates could not deliver a medal, losing to Czechia in the quarterfinal on a fluke goal in the final moments of regulation. Minten finished the tournament tied for seventh in team scoring with just a goal and two assists in five games, but he was perhaps a bit miscast in the role he was tasked with by the Canadian coaching staff. Noted for his advanced defensive game and ability to drive play from the middle of the ice, Minten was used almost exclusively as a winger in a top-six offensive role and never really seemed to find his footing.
To his credit, Minten wasted little time shaking off a disappointing performance at the World Juniors and stepped right back into a prominent role with the Blades, tallying 11 goals and 11 assists as Saskatoon went 12-1-1 in the first 14 games after his return. Minten and the Blades would prove to be nearly unbeatable for the rest of the season, finishing the season with the top record in the WHL. He ended the regular season with 22 goals and 26 assists in 43 games between Kamloops and Saskatoon, and though the numbers don’t jump off the page, his leadership, mature defensive play, and physicality all played a crucial role in the Blades’ ascension to the top of the standings. Minten carried his strong play into the postseason, scoring eight goals and six assists in 16 games as the Blades made short work of Prince Albert and Red Deer before falling to the eventual WHL champion Moose Jaw Warriors in seven games.