The Toronto Maple Leafs were active at the trade deadline and significantly upgraded their roster at the cost of their prospect system. They had to part with first-round picks in both transactions to acquire players like Brandon Carlo and Scott Laughton, as well as Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin. While some fans are saddened by their departures due to the potential both players showed during their stints in the NHL this season, the reality of the trade deadline is that you must make sacrifices to improve the team. General manager Brad Treliving successfully executed these two significant deals.
The loss of Grebenkin, in particular, resonated deeply with parts of the fanbase. He quickly endeared himself with his upbeat attitude, humour, strong work ethic, and always giving his best effort on the ice. Grebenkin demonstrated the potential to be an effective winger, capable of being a nuisance to opponents, solid on the forecheck, and unafraid to engage in scrums. In other words, he was the type of player who could thrive in playoff-style hockey. After signing his entry-level contract (ELC) two weeks ago, the Maple Leafs could already have a player in place to fill in what Grebenkin has done and potentially do it better.
Who Is Borya Valis?
Borya Valis was first eligible for the 2022 NHL Draft and is known as an interesting, though not spectacular, winger. He recorded 25 points in 57 games during his draft year, ranking him 47th in the Western Hockey League (WHL) among U18 players. Since then, he has steadily improved his performance, with 48 points in 55 games and 70 points in 67 games. He is currently on pace for 86 points this season. In his one postseason appearance, he demonstrated his skill by scoring nine goals and totaling 13 points in 15 games for the Prince George Cougars.
This season, it’s worth noting that Prince George is one of the deeper teams in the WHL, especially with the help of some star power. Their trio of Terik Parascak (17th overall), Riley Heidt (64th overall), and Koehn Ziemmer (78th overall) has been among the most productive players in the league over the past two seasons. Valis was traded from Regina to Prince George last season and has consistently played as a supporting winger in the top six. Valis is used on the top unit power play, where he rotates along the right side of the offensive zone, primarily positioned on the half-wall, but he also moves up to the point or down to the goal line or net front when the situation requires it.
Valis has spent the past four years in junior hockey, gradually working his way up to secure a top-six role on one of the league’s best teams. His production over the past two seasons reflects this progress. However, his numbers still fall short compared to top prospects, especially when you factor in his age—he is at the lower end of what can be considered “top player” status. Additionally, Valis did not start producing at a high level until he was nearing the end of his teenage years.
What Valis Can Bring to the Organization
While watching some of Valis’ games this season, you first notice his power and off-puck play. At 6-foot-2 and nearly 200 pounds, he uses his size on the ice effectively. He consistently looks to take the puck to the net when he has it on his stick. During rushes, he achieves this by getting a step on the defender, dropping his shoulder to protect the puck, and driving fearlessly toward the net. When he retrieves the puck behind the net or along the boards, he attempts to bounce it off the boards and drive straight to the net into the middle of the ice. He can also protect the puck using his size by keeping the defender behind him.
Valis displays his intelligence most effectively when he’s off the puck. He demonstrates sneaky cleverness in navigating the offensive zone, often moving in a way that sets legal picks and interferes with defenders trying to reach his teammate carrying the puck. He manages to do this without drawing penalties, which frequently helps create more space for his teammates. In addition, Valis is a strong forechecker. He disrupts plays by jumping into passing lanes, causing turnovers, and using his physical size to deliver body checks that create chaos.
Related: Toronto Marlies’ 3 Stars for February 2025
His style resembles Zach Hyman‘s (though not at the same level) when he chases a loose puck into the corner. He initiates contact with the defender early, establishing a dominant body position to gain leverage and improve his chances of winning the puck battle. While Valis’ shooting ability doesn’t match the skill level he’s demonstrated as a passer, this inconsistency is more about reliability than a lack of talent. The more I reviewed his highlights, the more I exclaimed “Huh!?” at some of his shots. He can generate a lot of velocity on his wrist shots and hit the net’s corners. Although his consistency can vary, there are times when he can unleash a powerful shot.
What Valis Needs to Work on to See More Ice Time
Valis still has three main issues to overcome, which will be difficult since he’s only a few weeks away from turning 21. If he wants to see more ice time with the Marlies and potentially the Maple Leafs, he needs to work on his skating, puck handling, and general lack of higher-end offensive skills. He can quickly skate past many defencemen in the WHL when he has enough space to gain speed. However, he lacks quickness and explosiveness. His agility to shift and pivot quickly is not strong, and his top speed may not be sufficient at higher levels of play. While skilled coaching can improve these skating issues, there are limits to how much progress can be made.
Another concern is Valis’ puck handling. He is not an effective transition player; instead, he performs better when he builds up speed and is allowed to forecheck after a dump-in. He drives straight to the net when he gets the puck, which is his primary move. Although he can occasionally pull off a dangle, he does this far less consistently than he executes his shot. Valis has a noticeable lack of high-end offensive skills. While his shot is decent, it’s inconsistent. His passing is reliable, but it’s hindered by poor puck handling. His skating ability is also average. I would like to see him emulate players like Matthew Knies and Grebenkin by learning techniques that enable him to make quick plays around the net.
If Valis secures a role in the NHL, it will likely be as a bottom-six energy or support winger. He needs to work hard, skate hard, forecheck aggressively, hold his own defensively, and create a presence around the net. When he gains possession of the puck, he should quickly pass it to a teammate who can advance the play up the ice. This will require improvement in several areas, but working with a top-tier professional development team like Toronto could help him reach his potential.
