9 young players the Calgary Flames should target this trade season
By Nathan Smith
7. Nick Abruzzese – Toronto Maple Leafs
The buzz around Abruzzese being acquired by Calgary in a move with the Toronto Maple Leafs began after Sportsnet’s Eric Francis proposed the idea on social media, but given his connections to Matt Coronato, who is expected to be a huge part of Calgary’s future, it’s certainly a move that makes sense.
As the hockey world tries to piece together various pieces that could make a Leafs trade for a Flames defenceman possible, consider the fact Toronto farmhand Nick Abruzzese was Matt Coronato’s setup man at Harvard two seasons ago.
— Eric Francis (@EricFrancis) November 13, 2023
The Leafs 4th rounder was just named AHL player…
While the former fourth-round pick shouldn’t be the centerpiece of a deal between Calgary and the Maple Leafs, he’s got tremendous potential after posting 19 goals and 59 points for the Toronto Marlies through 81 games over the past two seasons. He may have only shared one season with Coronato, but with respectable size (5-foot-11, 180 pounds), he can certainly be effective at the next level, and if the Flames can land a bigger prospect or the Leafs first-round pick alongside him, they’ll no doubt be happy with the return.
Nick Abruzzese with a beauty one timer on the PP from Niemela and Bellows. His second of the year pic.twitter.com/EsGXZX5oyM
— Rink Rat Report (@RinkRatReport) November 8, 2023
For more on Abruzzese, check out my recent article: Rumour: Calgary Flames could target a talented prospect from the Toronto Maple Leafs.