Prospects Moldenhauer, Haymes hitting groove in developing

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As part of our Maple Leafs coverage at the Toronto Sun, we’re keeping tabs on the club’s prospects, checking in on a weekly basis with the Leafs’ hopefuls across the hockey landscape.

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Today, we talk to two forwards — Nick Moldenhauer of the University of Michigan Wolverines and Luke Haymes of the Toronto Marlies.

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SEASONS OF CHANGE

A summer of soaking it up and working out has paid off nicely for Moldenhauer as the Wolverines, among the top-ranked teams in NCAA men’s hockey in 2025-26, set their sights on a national championship.

For Moldenhauer, a native of Mississauga, that meant spending much of the past off-season at the Leafs’ training facility at the Ford Performance Centre, taking full advantage of the amenities available to all Leafs, whether they’re astute veterans or budding prospects.

“It’s a no-brainer with how much it has helped me being around guys that are doing what you want to (eventually) do and have got to that point and are trying to get better every day,” Moldenhauer told the Toronto Sun over the phone on Wednesday night. “Just seeing their work ethic and how contagious that is has definitely helped me.

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“It’s something I have brought here to the team at Michigan.”

Through 30 games, Moldenhauer, a third-round pick by the Leafs in 2022, has 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points, contributing consistently as the Wolverines have built a record of 24-5-1.

Moldenhauer mentioned Morgan Rielly and Scott Laughton by name. The influence of the veteran Leafs comes through when Moldenhauer talks about the level of his game in his third season of college hockey.

“I’m super-happy with where my game is right now,” Moldenhauer said. “That being said, I never want to get complacent and I always try to stay hungry. I think that’s what has helped me the most this year, is keep wanting more and going out there and taking it every shift I can.

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“That has been one of the biggest reasons why I think I’m in a good spot right now. There’s a lot I can get better at and I’m not just going to sit around and not try to get better just because I’m having a couple of good games.”

What part of his game is Moldenhauer most proud of, and where he thinks he has taken big steps?

“My overall poise on the ice,” the 21-year-old said without a pause. “Being able to take that extra second, whether it’s a puck that gets rimmed up the wall and you have to make a play on it with a D-man pinching down on you, or in the O-zone, having a little more confidence with the puck to make that extra play and not let the play die.

“I’ve also taken a lot of pride in working on my defensive game too, which I know is something that I’m going to be really good at, at the next level.”

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Moldenhauer isn’t thinking much right now about a potential contract with the Leafs. His concentration lies in trying to help Michigan win what would be its first NCAA title since 1998.

“I believe we have the group to do it this year,” Moldenhauer said. “I’m not taking that for granted. I try to relay the message to some of the younger guys as well, that a team like this doesn’t come around very often. We’re looking forward to finishing the regular season as best we can and gearing up for playoffs and bringing home a (championship).”

ON A HEATER

The grind of his first full professional season hasn’t been taking a toll on Haymes.

The 22-year-old is on a productive run as he hit the 45-game mark on Wednesday, scoring once and recording an assist in the Marlies’ 3-2 loss against the visiting Hershey Bears at the Coca-Cola Coliseum.

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In three years at Dartmouth College before he signed with the Leafs last March, Haymes didn’t play in more than 31 games in a season. His goal against the Bears was his fourth in five games, bringing him to nine in 2025-26.

“It has been a huge change from college, going from 30 for the whole season to 45 and we’re still in mid-February,” Haymes said after the game on Wednesday. “I’ve done a lot to take care of my body, and I’ve done a much better job of that.

“My stamina has always been really good, but last summer, I did a lot more cardio work to prep, my lungs and my head for a much longer season.

“The first half was slow and there was a lot of mistakes, but I think I’ve learned.”

Haymes had an initial adjustment when he played in nine games for the Marlies at the end of last season. There’s more to his development now, though, than simply having the ability to persevere through a more intense schedule.

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“Whether it’s forechecking stuff or knowing when to make a play or when to get pucks deep, I think is it’s taken a little bit to mature, but I think I found a good groove,” Haymes said. “I’m understanding, the game a little better in terms of anticipation. Knowing where the puck’s going, it’s a lot different than college, where guys aren’t as smart as here, and the puck moves slower. Being in front of the puck and knowing the next play before it happens, I think I’ve done a good job of learning that, and I still am.”

Marlies coach John Gruden concurred.

“He continues to trend upward,” Gruden said. “He’s getting confident. Maybe it’s time for us to give him a little bit more ice time now. He’s heading in the right direction.”

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

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