Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ryan Tverberg is navigating a pivotal season in the AHL, but it hasn't been the comeback he hoped for. After a promising rookie year with the Toronto Marlies, where he notched nine goals and 23 assists over 46 games, Tverberg's performance dipped last season to just four goals and seven assists. This year, he’s managed six goals and nine assists in 40 games-a slight improvement, but still not the leap forward needed to catch the Leafs' attention for an NHL call-up.
Standing at 5-foot-11 and 187 pounds, Tverberg faces challenges in size, but his gritty playing style remains a hallmark of his game. With this being the final season of his entry-level contract signed in 2023, questions loom about his future with the Leafs beyond this summer.
Drafted in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Tverberg made a name for himself at the University of Connecticut, scoring 33 goals and 69 points in 85 games over three seasons. He debuted with the Marlies at the end of the 2022-23 NCAA season, showing promise in a seven-game stint.
In the 2025 summer prospect rankings by The Leafs Nation, Tverberg dropped from 8th to 14th. Analyst Jon Steitzer suggested that Tverberg might be embracing a checking role, focusing on the attributes that could keep him relevant in the organization.
Despite his size, his relentless effort could maintain his spot on the depth chart. However, the Leafs' depth in bottom-six forwards means Tverberg's current season is more about proving he deserves a contract renewal with the Marlies rather than pushing for an NHL spot.
Without a significant uptick in production, Tverberg's future in Toronto's system is uncertain. If he aims for the NHL, exploring opportunities with another organization might be his best path forward.