5 Maple Leafs Prospects Flying Under the Radar in 2026-27

I recently posted my top-10 Toronto Maple Leafs prospects for the upcoming 2026-27 season. The pool is much deeper now than it has been compared to previous years, with Gavin McKenna, Ben Danford and Artur Akhtyamov leading the way. 

While I couldn’t fit all the players into that list, some just missed out but still have a lot of potential, upside and impact for the future. Here are five prospects that shouldn’t be overlooked and should be kept a close watch on for this season.

Harry Nansi, RW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

After recording 23 points in 2024-25, Harry Nansi got off to a hot start last season. Although he cooled down, he improved in all of his offensive stats this season, scoring 13 goals and tallying 43 assists. He’s still young and developing as he heads into his fourth season in the Ontario Hockey League, but the 18-year-old continues to take strides with his overall game. 

Nansi shows great compete, energy and pace in the offensive zone, showing great strength to win battles and pressure opponents to force mistakes. He has great playmaking vision to spot seams and create quality opportunities for his teammates with his placement and accuracy. He shows great evasiveness, control and patience when he has the puck. I had him on this list last year, I still do as the potential is there. 

Victor Johansson, LD, Brynäs IF (SHL)

Victor Johansson got a taste of the pro level last season. He had 10 points in 22 games with IK Oskarshamn in the HockeyAllsvenskan and added another three assists in 10 SHL games with Leksands IF. 

Johansson has quickly gone from an unknown in his draft year to a potential impact, puck-moving defender. He has great speed in transition and is a strong puck distributor and playmaker. He can evade pressure well, open up lanes and has continued to develop a well-rounded game and be reliable on both sides of the puck. The expectation is that he becomes a regular this season. If he can earn steady minutes and continue to build up his strength, then the path for him will definitely improve.

Landon Sim, C/RW, Toronto Marlies (AHL)

Playing both in the ECHL and in the American Hockey League with the Toronto Marlies, Landon Sim made himself known to the fans and he’s instantly becoming a favourite. He had six points in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones and six points combined during the regular season and playoffs with the Marlies. 

He’s not going to be a point producer, but he is going to agitate and get under the opponent’s skin constantly. He’s physical, aggressive and plays a heavy game along with some skill, though the former are the main traits to his game. He was extremely effective during the Marlies’ Calder Cup Championship run and was a staple on the fourth line. If the Maple Leafs are looking for a fourth liner, he’s the guy.

Patriks Plumins, G, Zemgale (Latvia)

While Akhytamov is now the top goaltending prospect, Patriks Plumins improves the depth of the teams’ prospects in goal. It’s all thanks to his stellar performance at the World U18 Hockey Championship and he backstopped Lativa to their best ever finish in that tournament (fourth). 

Plumins had a .947 save percentage and a 1.62 goals against average, taking home top goaltender honours. Plumins (6-foot-4, 214 pounds) was a wall in net, showing great poise and composure. He tracks pucks well, has good reflexes and has great positioning to cut down shooting lanes and take away angles well.  That was enough for the Maple Leafs to take note and draft him 114^th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. 

Mans Gudmundsson, RD, Färjestad BK (SHL)

Mans Gudmundsson brings that mix of puck-moving abilities and a strong physical presence to shut things down. He played a pivotal role for Sweden at the World U18 Championship as he had four assists in seven games to win a gold medal and was a playmaker on the backend in the U20 Nationell.

Gudmundsson moves extremely well for his 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame. He’s effective when breaking out to stretch plays quickly and adds a layer of physicality and strong defensive IQ within his own zone. He’s tough, can get into lanes to break up plays and defends rushes very well. He may not be flashy, but he’s effective and gets results. If the production improves, that would be a big bonus for him as a defender.