3 Maple Leafs Prospects to Watch Closely in 2026-27

A small restock at the 2026 NHL Draft has the Toronto Maple Leafs back in the conversation of having some strong prospect options to look forward to down the road. Of course, Gavin McKenna will more than likley make the jump to the NHL in 2026-27, meaning there are some other players in the organization that Maple Leafs fans should get to know over the coming months.

While some might have more growth and development to work towards, others have given the organization reason to keep a close eye on them during the upcoming season. As such, creating that familiarity with the fan base will also be important as the next wave look to one day solidify their place on the Maple Leafs’ roster.

With that in mind, here are three prospects that fans and hockey enthusiasts should keep a closer eye on heading into the 2026-27 season.

Akhtyamov’s Ceiling Stems From AHL Success

First and foremost, goaltender Artur Akhtyamov has to be at the top of the list. He’s coming off a season in which he helped lead the AHL’s Toronto Marlies to a Calder Cup championship, along with taking home playoff MVP honours following the team’s win. He finished their postseason run with a .923 save percentage (SV%), a 2.22 goals against average (GAA) and two shutouts in 22 games during the run.

At first glance, Akhtyamov is on the smaller side for today’s goalies, but his post-to-post movement makes him an athletic option in net – a developmental option that the Maple Leafs haven’t necessarily had much of over the past 15 years. More importantly, with the acquisition of Sergei Bobrovsky, the Maple Leafs have provided Akhtyamov with time and a full season as the Marlies go-to in 2026-27.

While it’s still premature to name him the goalie of the future for the Maple Leafs, his ceiling might be higher than it was going into last season given what we’ve seen over the past year. Add to that the mentorship that Bobrovsky can provide the young goaltender, and the fact that the Maple Leafs have him under contract through 2029, the team has time to figure out just what they have in Akhtyamov.

There’s no question that there will be eyes watching closely as the Marlies get set to defend their title this season – with many of them focused in on Akhtyamov’s play and development.

Landon Sim Offers Maple Leafs Something They’re Missing

A role player, the Maple Leafs saw something in Landon Sim. Otherwise why else would they offer him a two-year entry-level contract? The contract kicks off with the start of the 2026-27 season and he’s a player that offers the Maple Leafs something that they don’t have a lot of organizationally – physicality, energy and a willingness to agitate the opposition. In fact, when it comes to Atlantic Division matchups, he could be a sleeper call-up for games against the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning who are built tough.

What hasn’t been a focal point of Sim’s game at the professional level is what he can bring offensively. Sure, he’s a hit-first player that can contribute on the penalty kill. But Sim’s ability to play with the puck is something else that makes him an intriguing prospect to watch this coming season.

In junior, with the London Knights, during the 2024-25 season, Sim had 30 goals and 53 points in 54 games. While he hasn’t had the same opportunities with the Marlies and Cincinnati Cyclones in the ECHL, he has produced some offence that could prove to move him into a fourth-line role player for the Maple Leafs at some point down the road.

Combined last season, he played 31 games between the Cyclones and Marlies with five goals and nine points over that span. He added three points during the Marlies’ Calder Cup run and comes with a winning pedigree – having won two OHL championships, a Memorial Cup and, now, a Calder Cup.

Add some opportunity to really develop as a professional this season and the intangibles that he brings on the ice and Sim is a player that those around the organization will be keeping a close eye on in 2026-27.

Koblar Looking to Continue His Climb

Finally, if his play against men in the SHL last season as an 18-year-old didn’t get him noticed, the 2026 World Championship certainly brought Tinus Luc Koblar to the forefront when discussing Maple Leafs’ prospects.

He had six goals and nine points in 10 games at the World Championship and helped Norway to its first ever medal in the tournament – winning bronze. He finished top-10 in the tournament for points and led his country on the way to medalling.

This season will be a major step for the young forward. His size and skill could set him apart and if he can push his development to the next level, he’s a player that could be part of the future youth movement for the Maple Leafs.

His size makes him an imposing player to play against – especially on the forecheck. He’s not afraid to play physically and on the edge. But his combination of play away from the puck and the skill that we saw at the World Championships has driven his potential up the ladder for the Maple Leafs. He’s still young and his development this season will be so important to where he ends up.

If he can take the next step in his growth, Koblar could see some NHL time in the next couple seasons. After all, with McKenna set to crack the NHL roster this season, Koblar remains a top-three prospect for the Maple Leafs organization. Eyes will definitely be watching over him this season.