William Villeneuve Is Ready for the NHL - Now the Leafs Have to Decide If They Are Ready for Him
Spend a few minutes talking to William Villeneuve, and one thing becomes crystal clear: he believes he’s ready to take the next step. Not in a brash, overconfident way - but with the kind of quiet conviction that comes from doing the work, seeing the growth, and knowing you’ve earned a shot.
Now in his fourth full season with the Toronto Marlies, Villeneuve has been steadily building toward this moment. The 23-year-old right-shot defenseman, drafted in 2020, has turned a corner in his development - and he knows it.
“I feel that I’m ready,” Villeneuve said earlier this season. “I think that’s one of the biggest things that I always told myself is, when the opportunity comes, I want to be ready for it.”
And based on how he’s playing, that opportunity might not be far off.
AHL Production That Demands Attention
Villeneuve has become a key cog on the Marlies' blue line, particularly on the power play, where he’s quarterbacking with confidence and efficiency. His offensive production hasn’t dipped - in fact, it’s held steady at an impressive 0.69 points per game over the last two seasons.
That’s not just good for a defenseman at the AHL level - it’s a signal that he’s consistently generating offense, especially in man-advantage situations where timing, vision, and poise are essential. And when you factor in that he’s a right-shot defenseman - a commodity in short supply on the Leafs’ current roster - the case for giving him a look in the NHL gets even stronger.
With Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo sidelined, Toronto’s blue line has been leaning heavily on Troy Stecher, the only regular right-shot in the lineup. That imbalance has made puck movement from the back end a challenge, and it’s exactly the kind of area where Villeneuve could help.
From Offense-First to Two-Way Trust
Coming out of junior, Villeneuve was known as an offensive defenseman - a puck-mover with vision, but questions about his defensive game and physical readiness. Those questions were fair.
He wasn’t NHL-ready when he arrived in the AHL. But that’s the point of development leagues - and Villeneuve has embraced the process.
He’s worked hard to round out his game, focusing on defensive positioning, physical strength, and the ability to handle pressure in his own zone. Boxing out forwards, winning battles down low, and making smart reads under duress - those are skills he didn’t have in his toolkit early on.
Now? They’re part of his foundation.
And once those defensive tools were in place, the offensive instincts started to shine again. He’s making decisive passes on the power play, moving the puck quickly in transition, and showing the kind of composure that’s often missing from the Leafs’ back end.
A Make-or-Break Season?
Villeneuve signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Leafs this offseason - a vote of confidence from the current front office, even as many Dubas-era prospects have moved on. That deal gives the Leafs flexibility, but it also puts a spotlight on this season as a pivotal one in Villeneuve’s career.
With Toronto’s blue line banged up and players like Philippe Myers and Dakota Mermis getting NHL looks, the question isn’t whether Villeneuve has earned a shot - it’s whether the organization sees him as part of the long-term picture.
He’s made his case. Now it’s up to the Leafs to listen.
Veteran Guidance, Real Growth
Villeneuve’s development hasn’t happened in a vacuum. Two key additions to the Leafs organization - Jake Muzzin and Mark Giordano - have had a major impact on his progression.
Muzzin, now working in player development, has been a consistent presence at Marlies practices. His approach? Honest, direct, and focused on simplicity.
“The biggest message that Muzz has been trying to implement in me is sometimes less is more,” Villeneuve said. “Sometimes you have more time than you think - you don’t need to rush into things.”
That’s the kind of advice that sticks. And Villeneuve has taken it to heart, streamlining his game and cutting down on overcomplication - a common hurdle for young defensemen trying to do too much.
Giordano, meanwhile, has been a resource behind the Marlies bench. With over 1,000 NHL games under his belt and a Norris Trophy to his name, he sees the game in a way that resonates with Villeneuve.
During one early-season game, Giordano gave Villeneuve a simple tip before a power-play shift: look for a lane and put the puck on net. Villeneuve did - and it led to the game-winning goal.
“He sees and he thinks the game the same way he played,” Villeneuve said. “So he understands me, a lot.”
What Comes Next?
Villeneuve isn’t asking for a permanent spot. He knows the Leafs’ blue line is crowded and that NHL minutes have to be earned. But with the team searching for more puck movement and offensive spark from the back end, it might be time to see what Villeneuve can bring.
He’s not likely to run the Leafs’ top power play. He won’t be anchoring a top pair.
But as a third-pair option who can move the puck, play with pace, and contribute on special teams? There’s a real opportunity here.
And Villeneuve is ready for it.
“Starting from last year, I just feel that I’ve kept growing and growing,” he said. “I’m aware of the situation here: there are high-calibre defencemen with the Leafs now. I’m just waiting for my opportunity and making sure I’m ready if it comes.”
At this point, he’s done everything he can to earn that shot. The rest is up to the Leafs.