The TLN Maple Leafs prospect rankings were compiled by a panel of seven TLN writers, each ranking our top 20 prospects to form a consensus group ranking.
Rather than hard and fast limits on age or NHL games played to determine “prospect” eligibility, our group decided on a more nuanced approach to include any reasonably young player who is either under contract with the Leafs or on the club’s reserve list, who has not yet established himself as a full-time NHLer.
Well, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Coming in at #16 just like he did in 2023 is William Villeneuve. I personally had him at #16, which is six spots lower than where I personally ranked him last year. I was hoping for a little more out of him this season, and will keenly be watching him this upcoming campaign in what feels almost like a make-or-break year. Before we dive into this past season, his game, and where he currently stands as a prospect, let’s examine Villeneuve’s past.
Villeneuve was selected 2nd overall by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the 2018 QMJHL draft, showing some early promise. His rookie season in the Q was strong, but it was in his sophomore year that he truly broke out. Over 64 games, he racked up 58 points, establishing himself as a player to watch. The Toronto Maple Leafs recognized his potential and drafted him in the fourth round, 122nd overall, in the 2020 NHL Draft. He continued to develop, and in his final year in juniors, he tallied 56 points in 64 games. His efforts helped the Sea Dogs pull off a major upset against the powerhouse Hamilton Bulldogs to win the Memorial Cup.
Although his point totals were impressive, simply putting up numbers in the QMJHL isn’t enough to hack it at the next level. Villeneuve’s overall game made significant strides in his final year of juniors. He added much-needed structure to his play, and his positional awareness both with and without the puck improved noticeably. This growth earned him more ice time, where he averaged around 24 minutes per game. There were a handful of games where he racked up more than 30 minutes of ice time. His gap control and defensive skills, especially the use of his stick, improved dramatically. Having reached the peak of the CHL, he was ready to take on the challenge of professional hockey.
In his rookie campaign (2022-23), the Marlies had a logjam on defence. Carl Dahlstrom, Victor Mete, Jordie Benn, Victor Kral, Mac Hollowell, Noel Hoefenmayer, and Mikko Kokkonen were all arguably slotted ahead of him. There were also rookies like Marshall Rifai and Tommy Miller, plus sophomores Matteo Pietroniro and Matt Hellickson vying for minutes. When the dust settled, Villeneuve played the third most games of any defenceman on the Marlies in ’22-23. He put up 25 points in 54 games, good enough for second most by any defenceman on the team. To put that in context, Timothy Liljegren had less output (ppg) in his first two years with the Marlies than Villeneuve’s rookie season, at roughly the same age.
Looking to build on a solid rookie campaign, Villeneuve had some hype going into this past season (2023-24). Unfortunately, he suffered a bit of a sophomore slump out of the gates. It took the Sherbrooke Quebec native a while to find his game. In my opinion, it was right around the halfway mark, perhaps a little before that when Villeneuve found his footing.
He started putting up points again. He forced his way back into a crowded Marlies lineup and proved his value through strong decision-making, and stronger defensive play. Villeneuve had a strong middle third to the season and a solid finish. He actually ended up playing in the same amount of games (54) as his rookie campaign and notched the exact same amount of points (25).
There was an increased physicality to his game. This is something I would still love to see more of. As he continues to grow and fill out his frame, his physical abilities should improve. While he may never become known for a particularly aggressive style of play, adding some weight will help him win more battles along the boards and be more effective at tying up opposing forwards or clearing the crease. Treliving clearly values tall and physical d-men, and if Villeneuve added some snarl to his game, it would go a long way.
Unfortunately for Villeneuve, the Marlies already have a stacked d-core for this upcoming season. Topi Niemela, Nicolas Mattinen, and Philippe Myers are firmly ahead of him on the right side, while Mikko Kokkonen, and Marshall Rifai are also returning. Toss in Cade Webber and Dakota Mermis, and there truly is a logjam.
Villeneuve will more than likely never be an offensive powerhouse in the NHL, but he has a shot at being a reliable right-handed two-way player. While he can contribute offensively, it’s his sturdy two-way game and ability to move the puck up the ice efficiently that will define his role. It’s imperative to remember that he recently turned 22… This will be a massive year for #76, and I’m certainly pulling for him.
