Before the 2017-2018 season began, I promised three instalments of my Leafs prospect ranking (November, February, and post-draft).



After taking some time after the draft to re-watch games for all eight players the Leafs selected, here is the third and final edition of my ranking.



My process is simple: Skill is paramount. In today’s NHL, teams can easily fill in around the edges through budget deals in free agency, minor trades, and waivers. As the Leafs move into the next phase of their process and become a legitimate annual contender, only the most talented prospects will graduate. I’m more concerned about a player ceilings than player floors.



This time around, the list looks considerably different. It has ballooned back from 30 eligible players to 31 due to the draft, but more than half a dozen players have also graduated from the criteria I use in determining eligibility as a quote-unquote prospect. Kasperi Kapanen (No. 2 on the midseason list)...