The Toronto Maple Leafs have several young players pushing toward the NHL, and the defending Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies will once again be an important part of the organization's development pipeline.

The Marlies open the 2026-27 AHL season Oct. 2 against the Rochester Americans before hosting the Hamilton Hammers on Oct. 3.

• Why To Subscribe With An Annual Subscription To FloHockey
• Atlantic Hockey America Stage Set For Especially Competitive Season
• What's Streaming This Week On FloHockey: Sept. 21-27, 2026

Here are three Maple Leafs prospects to watch with the Marlies in 2026-27.

Artur Akhtyamov, G

Artur Akhtyamov enters the season after helping lead the Marlies to the Calder Cup championship.

The 24-year-old went 21-12-4 with a 2.88 goals-against average and .904 save percentage in 37 regular-season games last season.

Akhtyamov elevated his game in the playoffs, going 15-7 with a 2.22 goals-against average and .923 save percentage. He earned the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as Calder Cup Playoffs MVP.

Toronto assigned Akhtyamov to the Marlies on Sept. 24, making him one of the biggest prospects to follow in the AHL this season.

Ben Danford, D

Ben Danford got his first extended taste of professional hockey during Toronto's championship run.

The No. 31 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft joined the Marlies after finishing his OHL season and recorded three points in 16 playoff games.

Danford impressed during the run and enters his first full professional season as one of Toronto's top defensive prospects.

The Maple Leafs assigned the 20-year-old to the Marlies on Sept. 24.

Noah Chadwick, D

Noah Chadwick is another young defenseman making the jump to the AHL.

The 2023 sixth-round pick spent last season with the WHL's Lethbridge Hurricanes, where he continued developing his two-way game before turning professional.

At 6-foot-4, Chadwick brings size to Toronto's blue line and now gets an opportunity to establish himself during his first full AHL season.

Like Danford and Akhtyamov, Chadwick was assigned to the Marlies on Sept. 24.

Watch the AHL, ECHL, QMJHL, OHL, USHL And More On FloHockey

FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the ECHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.

Join The Conversation On Social

• Follow us on X @FloHockey
• Follow us on Instagram @flohockey
• Follow us on TikTok @flohockeytv
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook