In Brad Treliving’s recent appearance on the *Spittin’ Chiclets* podcast, the Toronto Maple Leafs GM shared his thoughts on which young players could have breakout seasons. With the Leafs’ regular season just days away, excitement is building across Leafs Nation, and Treliving’s insights only added to the anticipation.

During the podcast, Treliving discussed a range of topics, including the potential of some of the less experienced players on the team. While stars like Auston Matthews and William Nylander usually dominate headlines, Treliving believes more attention should be given to the younger players who are filling out the roster’s depth. He specifically mentioned Bobby McMann, who despite not being a typical “young” player, is poised for a breakout year. Treliving praised McMann’s speed, strength, and puck-handling abilities, adding that his absence during last year’s playoffs was a significant loss.

He also highlighted Matthew Knies, a strong skater and imposing presence on the ice, who will be looking to avoid the sophomore slump while playing alongside Matthews and Mitch Marner. Pontus Holmberg, another player who has shown promise, is expected to play a key role in the bottom-six forward group, using his size and intelligence to provide depth scoring and defensive stability.

Additionally, Treliving spoke about rookies Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten, and Nikita Grebenkin, all of whom bring versatility and potential to the Leafs’ prospect pool. Though they may not feature prominently this season, they are considered key players for the future, whether with the Leafs, the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, or in junior leagues.

Despite not having a high draft pick recently, Treliving emphasized the strength and depth of Toronto’s pipeline, filled with talent that could make an impact in the near future.