Jesse Blacker

Blacker is a good, all-round defender with an offensive touch. He will flash his potential at camp this year and maybe even give a couple guys a scare. But he'll be best served getting another AHL season under his belt. Do keep his name in the back of your head, though -- there's enough talent there for him to be a reliable top-four blueliner some day.

Blacker can skate well and pass the puck with laser-like accuracy. But to be honest, that’s pretty much a prerequisite for the average young NHL defender these days. Blacker’s offensive game took a big leap last year in Owen Sound when his defensive game finally rounded into form and he finished with a career-high 10 goals and 54 points in 62 games. And it’s that two-way combination that has jumped his stock even higher on the Leafs’ depth chart. He’ll spend at least a full-year -- if not more -- in the AHL but some day, he’ll be the Buds’ power-play QB … and for a long time.

Blacker is a good skater and one of the few defenders in the Leafs' system with true offensive upside. He has all the markings of a top-four NHL defender but we really want to see him explode his skills this year in the OHL. He should be on the watch list for deep keeper leagues but don't roster him yet.

Blacker is a steady defenseman. Nothing terribly fancy, but he's pretty decent in his own zone and he makes a pretty good first outlet pass. His time on the ice has been limited thus far but he's a very nice skater. We expect him to blossom significantly in Windsor (OHL) this coming season and could end up being a real find.