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.
Mikko Kokkonen’s game has often been described as safe, intelligent, responsible and mature. These are enviable qualities to be sure but figuring out Kokkonen’s professional upside is the challenge as he enters his age-24 season. Kokkonen, at times, appeared on the verge of graduating to the NHL. The 5-foot-11 defenceman was selected 84th overall by the Maple Leafs in 2019 and was lauded for his hockey intelligence at the time of the selection.
He was a stellar presence at the 2023 Traverse City Prospects tournament and was on Toronto’s roster well into October, before final cuts were made ahead of the season opener.
Kokkonen recorded five goals and 19 points in 65 games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies during the 2023-24 campaign, his second full season in the AHL. It’s become clear that he’s growing more confident off the rush and he’ll work his way deep into the offensive third to create scoring chances for his teammates. Kokkonen will often sneak past defenders off the wing to crash the net for rebounds at the AHL level and he’s a confident shooter from the point.
Kieffer Bellows buries his 9th of the year off a nice pass from Mikko Kokkonen. pic.twitter.com/rywJHGXJnu
— Rink Rat Report (@RinkRatReport) December 21, 2023
The problem for Kokkonen is that these qualities haven’t always translated against NHL mainstays. Kokkonen is happy to enter the rush at the AHL level and at this point, he’ll roast ECHL opponents but he’s not confident enough to join the rush against NHL players, where his recovery speed is effectively neutralized.
Kokkonen was called up by the Maple Leafs on December 9, when the team was encountering a rash of injuries on the blue line, but he didn’t see any action. He is also waivers exempt, which makes his contract a real asset beyond his on-ice performance. It was a sign of internal confidence from the Maple Leafs, although Kokkonen could soon be lapped by 2024 first-round pick Ben Danford (who is a right-shot defender, whereas Kokkonen is a lefty) and other, younger players in Toronto’s pool. Kokkonen erases odd-man rushes at the AHL level with relative ease and fluency and this is his ticket to the NHL — provided that he can still provide secondary offense and not get caught out of place when he launches himself deep into the offensive third.
#Leafs have called up Mikko Kokkonen. #84 taking warmups. pic.twitter.com/S2u2kZW2NA
— David Alter (@dalter) December 9, 2023
I watched Kokkonen play closely while covering the Maple Leafs for Yahoo Sports during a preseason game against the Ottawa Senators on September 27 and it was a mixed bag. Kokkonen didn’t display any of the offensive inventiveness that he would later show with the AHL’s Marlies, took a bad tripping penalty seconds after a Maple Leafs power play and didn’t make the most of his minutes paired alongside Mark Giordano. Is Kokkonen capable of another gear at the NHL level? Is it a matter of confidence? At the NHL level, it appears Kokkonen is weary of sacrificing defensive positioning for rush offense and doesn’t unlock the totality of his game.
It’s incumbent upon Kokkonen to continue to operate as a steady defensive presence, while displaying a willingness to augment the offense, both from set plays at the point and in transition against NHL competition in training camp, or else he’ll likely be viewed as a permanent AAAA option — a stellar presence at the AHL level who will be a fringe NHL player. Time is a fickle beast and Kokkonen has yet to play a single NHL game — Jordan Spence was taken 11 picks after Kokkonen and has already played 109 NHL games, while Anaheim’s Henry Thrun has suited up in 59 games. These aren’t random examples, as Spence and Thrun were in contention to be selected at No. 83 for Toronto and have since graduated to the NHL.
Kokkonen is the type of safe, reliable defencemen that most NHL teams crave but we’re now at the point of his career where his limitations are on display. Can Kokkonen take another half-leap to become a NHL regular and play with confidence against the world’s best skaters? This is the central question surrounding his development and ensuing ranking.
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