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.
Nick Moldenhauer’s sophomore season at Michigan will be fascinating to monitor and it’ll be compelling to see if he can unlock the totality of his offensive game with increased confidence at the NCAA level.
Moldenhauer played the 2022-23 season on a line with Macklin Celebrini with the Chicago Steel, recording 30 goals and 75 points in 55 games. It took a while for Moldenhauer to adjust to the NCAA and it didn’t necessarily help that he was playing on a stacked Michigan squad that includes several NHL prospects including Gavin Brindley (34th overall, 2023, Blue Jackets) Rutger McGroarty (14th overall, 2022, Jets) and Frank Nazar (13th overall, 2022, Blackhawks) among others. He will now be afforded to the runway to prove that he can contribute in a top-six role at Michigan, while continuing to work on a more consistent defensive presence — ultimately, an improved two-way game may eventually become his ticket to the NHL.
I got my first look at Moldenhauer during the 2023 Maple Leafs development camp, where he was primarily placed on a line alongside Easton Cowan and Ty Voit. Moldenhauer was extremely impressive, particularly in short-area scenarios where he constantly looked to inch his way into the slot. I thought Moldenhauer and Easton Cowan were the co-MVPs of the development camp, with Fraser Minten and Topi Niemela trailing behind — Minten took another leap during training camp and is well ahead of Moldenhauer in his development. Against his own peers, Moldenhauer was buzzing once the puck entered the offensive third.
Maple Leafs assistant general manager Hayley Wickenheiser was impressed with Moldenhauer and spoke about how he elevated his game throughout the week.
Spoke to Maple Leafs AGM Hayley Wickenheiser about Easton Cowan, Nick Moldenhauer and Ty Voit’s progression as a line throughout the week: pic.twitter.com/LbnN5tPkql
— Arun Srinivasan (@Arunthings) July 8, 2023
“When he moves, he can really move,” a scout told The Leafs Nation’s Steven Ellis in January. “He’s not a big fella so he needs that speed to separate himself. And with that comes added compete, and making that a more crucial part of his game will take him far. He’s not going to be a goal-scorer in the NHL, but if the work ethic continues to improve, he’ll make his own opportunities.”
Moldenhauer zips around the ice, he’s a good skater who tracks back in transition, but he truly comes alive with the puck on his stick. He will certainly need to add more strength — like most prospects — if he wants to make an impact at the NHL level, but it’s now incumbent upon Moldenhauer to consistently take over games on both ends of the ice at the NCAA level this season. His positional versatility is an asset to the Maple Leafs but he’s likely better suited as a wing in the NHL.
It’s easy to forget that Moldenhauer has long been considered one of the best players in the 2004 age group and overcame a harrowing injury where his cartoid artery was lacerated by an errant skate blade in 2022 — The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler detailed Moldenhauer’s frightening draft-year experience in a profile that’s certainly worth your time.
We’ll be watching Moldenhauer’s upcoming season at Michigan very closely. When he’s at his best, Moldenhauer zips around the ice in the short area — I’m weary of comparing him to Brayden Point, given that wthe Lightning star forward is a constant 90-point producer in the NHL, but he can mimic the best of Point’s qualities. We’re looking to see some offensive fireworks from Moldenhauer this season, which may provide a clearer outline of what his true NHL potential looks like.
