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With the CHL playoffs underway, it's as good a time as any to take a look back at the season that was. The Leafs have a few prospects that could have deep playoff runs, or as some may call it, "experience they won't need when they make it to the NHL." There were a few Leafs prospects who had quite a turbulent season; here's how they all did:

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Another season of major junior hockey is underway in the QMJHL, with action set to begin in the OHL and WHL next week. A handful of Leafs prospects graduated from the junior ranks last season, including Jesse Blacker, Kenny Ryan, Jerry D’Amigo and Jamie Devane. There’s an outside chance those players could return to the OHL as overagers, but expect them all to suit up with the Marlies this season.

Nevertheless, there are a number of Leafs prospects that remain in the CHL, including some 2011 draftees like Stuart Percy and Josh Leivo, along with a European player who should play a prominent role in the OHL. Let’s take a look at three CHL storylines for Leafs fans to follow this season:

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In Saturday's dominance of the Bruins, I witnessed, first-hand, the future. Luke Schenn flipped on the Bobby Orr switch, Nazem Kadri potted his first of many NHL goals, and even Keith Aulie got in on the action. Oh, and James Reimer showed the depth of his compassion by allowing Boston to score twice. What a human being. The future is now, and it's on display in junior as well, as the CHL playoffs kick off Thursday, but mostly Friday. These kids will begin making the move to the pro ranks, some as early as this year with the possibility of joining the Marlies at season's end. Here's a look at how the Leafs' prospects fared in their junior seasons.

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Being a fan of the Maple Leafs is not exactly sunshine and rainbows right now (read: for the last five years). The state of the Leafs pro roster makes me want to challenge a grizzly bear to a boxing match, and the lack of first round picks is dreadful, but the anxiety attacks are soothed by the thought that, hey, Brian Burke may have unearthed some gems with the picks he did keep. It's the long-awaited by no one return of my look at the Leafs' prospects in the CHL. I'm a QMJHL guy, so my insight is limited since the Leafs have no prospects in the Q. Nonetheless, here's your roughly-half-way-point recap as the CHL breaks for the holidays.

OHL

Kenny Ryan, RW, Windsor Spitfires - 2nd round, 50th overall in 2009

Not surprisingly, the departure of key pieces from back-to-back Memorial Cup champs Windsor such as Taylor Hall, Greg Nemisz and Dale Mitchell has led to an increased role for Ryan. He sits sixth among Spits forwards in scoring with 27 points in 30 games, only 8 points short of what he managed in 52 games last season. His numbers still aren't overly impressive in what will likely be his last year in junior. With Zack Kassian likely to be dealt before the deadline, Ryan could be called upon for more icetime.

Jesse Blacker, D, Owen Sound Attack - 2nd round, 58th overall in 2009

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As we sit in that lull between the draft and the beginning of free agency, all the focus in the land of the Leafs has shifted to a possible Marc Savard deal with the Boston Bruins. I've been dismissing any notion that he might move as nonsense ever since it was brought to light a few weeks back. I still think it's ridiculous, but nevertheless, the rumors are gaining steam, and it seems like a legitimate possibility.

To me, it makes slightly more than zero sense. A few factors to consider:

1) As Chemmy touched on, this guy was just signed to a "lifetime" deal, with an NTC. Clearly he wants to stay in Boston. Further to that point, Peter Chiarelli is going to look like a real villain if he tries to push him out. If you're a player on the open market, and you get a call from the Bruins, how interested are you going to be? What free agent wants to strike a deal with a GM who ships off a star player on a cheap contract, with an NTC, before that contract even kicks in? I think a Savard deal immediately hurts Chiarelli's bargaining power in the free agent pool.

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It's been a while since our last prospect update. Chalk that up to me completing my final assignment for college along with the fact that only two Leafs prospects advanced to their league final series. We're back to take a final look at the season for a pair of Q-Leaguers, and a look ahead to Windsor's second straight Memorial Cup appearance.

Kenny Ryan, RW, Windsor Spitfires - 2nd round, 50th overall in 2009

Last we checked was back in the early going of the semi-finals. The Spits had been trailing Kitchener, going down 3-0 in the series before mounting a huge come back and winning in seven. They went on to sweep Barrie for the OHL championship and will begin their Memorial Cup defense on Friday. Ryan finished with 3 goals and 2 assist in 19 playoff games. His role will increase as overagers move on next season. Of some concern is Ryan's plus/minus of -2. There were twice as many Spitfires with double-digit positives than there were with negatives in the playoffs. At least Ryan keeps good company; Cam Fowler and Greg Nemisz were the other players in the red.

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Our best prospect has likely played his last junior game, we're down to four remaining Leafs hopefuls in the CHL playoffs, and thus these entries are beginning to wind down for the season. Oh, and we're playing the all-important spectator role in the NHL playoffs once again. But hey, at least we have the draft to look forward to. Um... on to the prospects.

Nazem Kadri, C, London Knights - 1st round, 7th overall in 2009

Kadri had a head scratcher of a playoff. After racking up 25 points in his first 9 games, he managed only two in the final three games as the Knights bowed out to Kitchener in seven games. Despite his weak finish and the fact that we're two and three games into the semi-finals, Kadri still holds a one-point lead on the OHL playoff scoring race. What lies ahead is anyone's guess. Ron Wilson says he'll play with the Leafs next year. Some think he should return to junior. I believe there's nothing left for him in junior, he's learned all he can. He needs some time in the AHL to adjust to the pro game, a la Bozak.

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To no one's surprise, our top prospect is putting in the best performance of all the future Leafs in this year's CHL playoffs. As a matter of fact, he's putting in the best performance of any player in each of the three leagues under the CHL's umbrella. Read more on him and the rest of our prospects in this week's edition.


Nazem Kadri, C, London Knights - 1st round, 7th overall in 2009

Kadri continues to shred the OHL leaderboard, though his streak has cooled to volcano-like proportions rather than the core of the sun type of heater he was on. Even so, he managed to extend his OHL playoff scoring lead from 4 points to 9 since we last checked in. He sits with 9 goals and 25 points through 10 games, which also leads the entire CHL by 8 points. For all his production, London is still down 3-2 to Kitchener in the second round. Kadri was held pointless in a game 5 loss; the first game these playoffs that he's had less than two points.

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Oh playoffs, how I've missed you. The first round has wrapped up in the CHL and most of our boys have made the cut. Why not have a look-see at how they're doing to this point?

Nazem Kadri, C, London Knights - 1st round, 7th overall in 2009

Remember how last time we checked in, Kadri was on a ridiculous and totally unsustainable scoring pace, with 8 points in 3 games? Well... yeah. He's now sitting with 16 points in 6 games, putting him 4 points ahead of the rest of the pack for the OHL lead. Turns out he didn't get suspended for his misconduct at the end of game three of the first round, either. He picked up 4 points in game five to help London move past Guelph. They now face Kadri's old club, Kitchener, where Naz had two points in a game one victory. A parting stat: Kadri has two points or more in every game this post-season.

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A few playoff series have wrapped up in the CHL, and some of our prospects have turned in impressive performances. With about half of the first round out of the way, let's take a look at how our boys are doing.

Nazem Kadri, C, London Knights - 1st round, 7th overall in 2009 

Kadri is off to a very productive start in the playoffs for London. He's tied for 4th in OHL playoff scoring, with 8 points in 3 games, and the Knights are up two games to one on Guelph. While he's been a factor for London, scoring the OT winner in the series opener, it hasn't been all rainbows and lollipops. Kadri took a checking to the head penalty in the late stages of game three, with the score tied. That allowed the Storm to break the deadlock late and win the game, and Kadri received a game misconduct for abuse of the official after the final buzzer. AM640 Sports Director Greg Brady tweeted that Kadri will automatically be slapped with a minimum one-game suspension, which makes sense, though I haven't been able to confirm that.  

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Editor's Note: Here is Carl Peelash's first look the Toronto Maple Leafs' prospects in the Canadian Hockey League.

Another CHL regular season has come to an end, so it’s time to recap the performances of Leafs prospects in the three two leagues within the CHL umbrella. Fun fact: the Leafs have no prospects playing in the WHL. Interesting, when you consider that the Dub is known for its tough, physical play, and that Burke is a fan of that style. We’ll also look at the upcoming playoff matchups that our kids will play in, because contrary to popular believe, you don’t lose that privilege when you’re drafted by the Leafs. First, to the OHL. 

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