Toronto Maple Leafs

Is Bracco a future contributor or trade chip for Leafs??
May 22, 2017, 4:00 PM ET [28 Comments]
Mike Augello
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Jeremy Bracco is a player who thrives on big game situations and proving people wrong, and the 20-year-old forward will have to keep doing both to fulfill his dream to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the near future.

Bracco leads the 2017 Memorial Cup in scoring through two games, with four points (two goals and two assists) in wins over Saint John and Seattle.



“(Bracco’s) a talented guy. He’s one of those few players that is faster with the puck than without it. He can really make plays. I like to see him when’s got the puck and he’s cruising around the offensive zone.” Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said on Sunday. “He’s going to have to get stronger for sure. We have a lot of talented guys up front in Toronto. It’s going to be tough for everybody.”

Toronto’s 2015 second round pick led the Kitchener Rangers in scoring prior to being dealt to Windsor in January and ended up with 83 points (25 goals, 58 assists) and proved the hierarchy of USA Hockey wrong for passing on him in 2016, scoring three goals and two assists for the Americans in their gold medal winning effort at the 2017 World Junior, but there is work to do before Bracco will be able to make the jump to the Leafs to play with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander.



“When you look at the youth (that the Leafs) have, and you know you are part of that system, it’s a pretty special feeling,” Bracco said to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun. “Whatever I can do ... I’m going to go into training camp and put my best foot forward. Wherever I fall in their plans, I kind of determine my own fate, so I’m looking forward to that.”

Bracco signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Leafs in March and with the right side of the NHL roster loaded with Nylander, Marner, Connor Brown and Kasperi Kapanen, the diminutive winger will likely start his pro career with the AHL Marlies next season, but with the club looking to upgrade on the blueline this summer, the Leafs may be willing to swap excess forward talent for help on the back end.



In spite of being another small skilled forward and Toronto having many that fit that description, one thing in Bracco’s favor is how he might be a perfect fit with former Team USA teammate Matthews.

Matthews sniper-like scoring ability benefited from Nylander passing skills being on his line for most of the season. Babcock has indicated that he will continue to play on the wing next season, but that the Leafs long term plans will be to move the World Championship MVP to the middle (most likely when Tyler Bozak is traded or leaves via free agency next July).

Bracco’s prior playing experience with Matthews, his playmaking ability and being on an entry-level deal for three years would make him a natural and economical replacement for Nylander.