NCAA found wallets let Maple Leafs organization try something new at the AHL level

With the talk of Vinny Borgesi fitting an immediate need in the AHL for a puck moving defenceman, it seems certain he’ll have an important role to fill, but there is still plenty to consider about how well he’ll do it.

Borgesi shouldn’t be expected to be a powerplay quarterback or necessarily a Morgan Rielly-type of player, Borgesi’s game isn’t high offence or at least that’s not how his college career closed out. He put up his best offensive numbers in his sophomore year, and while he consistently stayed at the five-goal mark for the past three seasons, his assist totals dropped every year as he rounded out his game. He didn’t have a point in nine of his last 11 games of college.

Speed and brains are what works for Borgesi, and the Marlies having a defenceman to help move the puck up the ice is going to continue to important for them and his value in that role is significant when it is possible the organization might be looking to move on from William Villeneuve and with Topi Niemela playing overseas. Henry Thrun and Matt Benning being questionable to return (in Benning’s case he’s a lock to leave), the Leafs need AHL defencemen that can offer something different, and with the emphasis in the Leafs back end requirement having skewed largely towards the large, a 5-foot-9 defender that relies on skating, decision making, and guile feels like a fit for the Marlies and ultimately the longer he sticks around and gets a chance to develop, the better the chances he could find his way onto the Leafs in the long term as well.

The story on Brandon Buhr feels a lot more straight forward. Buhr plays a power forward type game and there is always a need for that. If it works at the professional level, you’ve hit the jackpot. If it doesn’t, you can always try to reinvent them as a checker or energy player. Buhr is a player that any organization can use and like players of that archetype it will come down to whether he puts in the work and makes the most of the opportunities he’s given.

When it comes to intangibles there is something about being on the Dean’s list at Union that demonstrates that Buhr is potentially a smart guy and shows that he’s someone who puts in the work. There’s also something to be said for the fact that he seems like a someone who looks for the best fit given his move from Clarkson to Union after his freshman year. Presumably, the Leafs look like a good option for him and he’s chosen them because he can see his path to success here.

Convenient narratives aside, he’s a need for the Marlies next year too. It’s possible that Ryan Tverberg won’t be back after not progressing at the AHL level and same can be said of Braeden Kressler. Whether veterans like Travis Boyd and Vinni Lettieri will be back is uncertain as well, and if Groulx is potentially a Leaf next season based off a strong initial showing and whether the Leafs are thinking of signing or moving on from Quillan is an uncertainty as well. The Marlies will be light on forwards and it seems reasonable that Buhr can fit into a number of situations for them depending on what else they are available to add.

Buhr has the potential to follow in the paths of other power forward success stories for the Leafs like McMann or Mason Marchment, and while his size isn’t a standout at the pro level, he if he is willing to use it, he’ll likely have no problem holding down a job. The fact that Buhr’s skating is strong is potentially his greatest asset, much like it was for McMann. The Leafs need forwards that can apply pressure and Buhr could be that guy, just don’t expect it immediately.

Both Borgesi and Buhr seem to be projects or solid AHLers, but with 19 contract spaces remaining for 2026-27, there is no excuse for Brad Treliving not being as active as possible and bringing in some players for the Leafs development team and the Marlies to start working with.

With the Frozen Four and as a result NCAA free agency carrying on right up until April 11th, the Leafs aren’t likely done in this regard either. And there is still the small matter of the European leagues and the CHL to consider. There is something to be said for volume shooting and while Buhr and Borgesi may not be high danger scoring chances, they look like a couple of shots that could sneak their way in.

PRESENTED BY SUNWING VACATIONS