Here are seven forwards under contract to the Leafs, all 26 y.o. and under, competing for two spots on the fourth line and two seats in the press box:
26 y.o Adam Gaudette
26 y.o. Bobby McMann
25 y.o. Dennis Malgin
24 y.o Joey Anderson
23 y.o. Pontus Holmberg
22 y.o SDA
21 y.o. Nick Robertson
Most of them will never make it. Some of them would give their eye teeth for the opportunity to sit in the pressbox and/or rotate in and out of the lineup, even for 8-10 minutes per night.
The older ones will probably age-out, and there are still more similar players already in the system and always available through waivers, trades and free-agent signings.
The ones who are getting a shot, however slight, are fortunate and need to make the most of it. On the ice and off the ice. Every video session. Every team event. Every workout. Every practice. Every game. Every day and every night. This is their moment to show the coaches and management what they have and what they can do.
We as fans only see a small fraction of that, and from a distance. The actual games are just the end result. The players need to do something to get on the ice, and then to stay there.
We don't see all of that, and really aren't in the best position to judge each player's development.
