Don't be surprised if a number of Maple Leaf prospects get a long look at training camp in September.

Certainly Joe Colborne and Ryan Hamilton will be considered for Leaf roster spots in 2013-14 as they both have some NHL service time. However, Marlies Carter Ashton, Greg Scott and Jerry D'Amigo could also be ready to take the next step. Marlie coach Dallas Eakins believes that any or some cmbination of those five players could fill out spots with the big club. Stay tuned. Training camp for the suddenly improving Maple Leafs could be insteresting.

Carter Ashton was called up from the minors on Friday January 18.

Carter Ashton netted a goal as Toronto easily defeated San Antonio on Friday night 4-1.

Ashton doesn't offer a ton of offensive upside, but he should develop into a solid depth forward at least. He has nine points in 26 games.

Carter Ashton scored two goals for the Toronto Marlies in a 6-4 win against Houston on Thursday.

The Marlies rallied from a 4-2 deficit with four third-period goals to win the contest and Ashton, who opened the scoring, ended up with the game winner. Will Acton, Spencer Abbott and Paul Ranger earned two assists apiece in the win, while Keith Aucoin got on the board with a goal and a helper.

Carter Ashton registered his first goal of the year Toronto's 5-4 win over Hamilton on Friday night.

Ashton may not have the highest offensive upside, but he does have the makings of being a solid NHL regular. He has two points on the season and was pointless in his 15-game cup of coffee in the NHL last year.

Carter Ashton needs a point tonight in the Toronto Maple Leafs' final regular-season game to avoid going pointless for the season.

Ashton is in danger of seeing nothing but zeroes beside his name in the Leafs' media guide next season. He has no points in 15 games since he was recalled from the Marlies.

Carter Ashton has been sent down to the AHL.

Ashton has no points in 15 career NHL games. However, he did score 20 goals and 37 points in 59 contests with the AHL Norfolk Admirals and Toronto Marlies this season.

Carter Ashton will make an appearance in Tampa tonight, but as a member of the Maple Leafs.

Ashton was acquired from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline and could see second line minutes tonight. The 20-year-old, who has impressed coach Randy Carlyle, has played four games with the Leafs and is looking for his first NHL point.

With winger Mike Brown gone for possibly 10 days with a deep thigh bruise, after falling heavily into the boards in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Maple Leafs rookie Carter Ashton likely will play tonight on a line with center David Steckel and right winger Joey Crabb.

The 6-foot-3, 20-year-old Ashton, from Saskatoon, will play in his second NHL game and first at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto since being acquired from Tampa Bay for defenseman Keith Aulie at the trade deadline. Toronto coach Randy Carlyle said he was impressed by Ashton's first NHL game. The first-round draft pick had 19 goals with Norfolk and scored the 20th AHL goal of his rookie season in his Marlies' debut before being called up. Ashton made his NHL debut in Pittsburgh. "He looked like a rookie at times. I put him in the starting lineup so he could get over the jitters right away," Carlyle said. "I was just praying the Penguins weren't going to put the (Evgeni) Malkin line out there right away."

Toronto has brought up Carter Ashton from the minors on an emergency basis.

The Leafs lost Joffrey Lupul and Colby Armstrong to injuries on Tuesday night, so Ashton is set to see the first NHL action of his young career Wednesday in Pittsburgh. The former first-round pick of Tampa Bay in 2009 was acquired by the Leafs at the trade deadline.