Maple Leafs Make Move for Minten

TORONTO — Following months of negotiations, the Toronto Maple Leafs reach an agreement with the Minnesota Wild to acquire rookie farmhand Fraser Minten.

“I’d first like to thank my counterpart in Minnesota, Jesse B., for his tireless work to get this deal over the line. His dedication to his job, his team and the fans in Minnesota is truly remarkable” said Leafs general manager, Clayton Hansler.  “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Fraser to Toronto, he’s been a player I’ve followed since his time in Kamloops during my time prior to coming to Toronto. I feel like I've been on a mission for almost two years to bring him into the organization.”

Minten, the 21 year old from Vancouver, BC, is in his first professional year and has burst into the MRFAHL with 19 goals and 34 assists in only 46 games played with the Iowa Wild.  Hansler hopes he can bring his scoring touch to the Marlies as Minten will likely centre Joey Anderson and Matthew Nieto.

“He’s someone that we see helping the Marlies push for another Calder Cup in the spring and then pushing for a spot with the Maple Leafs in the fall, however we’re taking it all one step at a time.  For now, we just want to get Fraser into town and acclimated to the team,” continued Hansler.

It’ll be a tall ask if the Marlies hope to repeat as champions this year, despite being in first place in the MRFAHL, they’ve dropped two of their last three games and have shipped out mainstay blueliner Victor Mancini and defensive centre Samuel Helenius as part of the trade with Minnesota.

Mancini logged just over 20 minutes a night with the Marlies and contributed in all situations while Helenius, who was acquired earlier this year from Los Angeles, has been a large part of the Marlies league-best 2.17 goals against per game.  Both will be big holes to fill in the Marlies lineup.

Either way, if you’re still reading by this point you should really know this was written just as an excuse to post the video at the top.  It was part of a series we helped the Canadian Hockey League with ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft, and Minten was among my favourites of the group.  In case you were wondering (which you totally weren’t), yes that is my voice throughout.  I’m so nasally, right?

In a separate transaction, the Maple Leafs have also acquired veteran defenceman Colin Miller from the Calgary Flames. Both Miller and Minten are expected to join the Marlies in time for their Friday game against division rival Cleveland.

Austin Evans

Clay makes it really hard to hate him as a rival. I hate that about him

Maple Leafs Make Move for Minten
Toronto completes trade with Minnesota to acquire the budding centre.

• 1 teams Like this  7 months

View all 4 comments

Clayton Hansler ... it's a mission, and i'm not there until easter

7 months  0 teams Like this

Jason Behm

Had no idea you could post videos. You rock Clay! Mozart eh!

Maple Leafs Make Move for Minten
Toronto completes trade with Minnesota to acquire the budding centre.

• 1 teams Like this  8 months

Clayton Hansler looks like we just unlocked another level of articles

8 months  0 teams Like this

Robert Jacklin

That narrator though :O

Maple Leafs Make Move for Minten
Toronto completes trade with Minnesota to acquire the budding centre.

• 1 teams Like this  8 months

Rino Di Antonio

Nice trade. Nice video.

Maple Leafs Make Move for Minten
Toronto completes trade with Minnesota to acquire the budding centre.

• 1 teams Like this  8 months