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Well at least one person has been waiting to see not just my opinion, but the looks of our 2009-2010 Toronto Marlies. With 11 returning players, only 5 of which been here 2 or more seasons, we do have a bit of a changing of the guard.
We had a fun team to watch last season, and this season may be even better! Guys like Staffan Kronwall, Tim Stapleton, Anton Stralman, Bates Battaglia, Kris Newbury, Jeremy Williams, Mark Bell and Jaime Sifers moved on to other opportunities, (3 of which made the NHL out of camp, and 4 others in other AHL cities) leaving us with only 4 of our top 12 scorers returning. That my friends is a massive hole!
For those that have kept up the past couple season with me and my comments, this has been the year I was most excited for. Unfortunately I was unable to foresee the loss of a few of our key parts. Two months ago we felt the pain of some losses that really downgraded my feelings for this team. Last season I talked with Brian Burke on a few occasions, and discussed my feelings for the needs of re-acquiring some key veterans for this up coming season that were willing to accept AHL roles and play for their ‘love of the game’ and to help the transition of several players turning pro this season. Brian responded very excitedly and positive saying “ we will be working towards not only adding to our NHL roster on July 1st, but the Marlies also…”, “it is very important to our system that we can bring in NHL talent, but also players with good attitudes that play for the right causes…”. This had me looking forward to the 09-10 season more than any other hockey season before! I must admit, although happy with the team we have coming out this season, Burke let me down.
Brian started the summer on July 1st by augmenting the Leaf Blue line and adding toughness, in the process trading our top forward last season and bringing in Colin Stuart, a 2nd rate vet for the Marlies. July 4th Burke held true to his word, signing Tim Brent, a solid top line AHL Center that I have liked for several years from the OHL and into his Anaheim drafting. Tim filled the hole vacated by the trade of Stapleton. Brent was a downgrade offensively, but also a more complete player able to lead a team. July 6th came along and brought new contracts to Ben Ondrus, whom many seen on the way out, and Ryan Hamilton. Jay Rosehill was also signed that day after basically a 19 game tryout to finish last season. We then added more toughness in Richard Greenop who’s only roll is to police the ice. These were still not what I was looking for. Two weeks later Andre Deveaux, Alex Foster and Daryl Boyce were given new contracts. All 3 being secondary help but nice to have back. A week later Anton Stralman was shipped out. August was painful but also satisfying in the way we were relieved of the burden that was Justin Pogge and signed Joey MacDonald, a top tier AHL goalie and 3rd NHL talent goalie we have seen in our history. (JS Aubin & Scotty Clemmenson) Still there sat holes on the backend. Training camp brought the invites of Josh Engel, Joe Ryan, Todd Perry, Brennan Evans, Andy Rogers & Tom Glavin. Brennan Evans brought hope, Tom Glavin gave the impression that things we being attempted and Andy Rogers was a sign of leadership. Only Evans survived, rightfully so. Juraj Mikus was an expected assignment and transition to pro should be interesting. Finally Eric Werner was brought in by Jeff Jackson as an attempt to fill a hole.
Needless to say I do not feel we made those signings we needed.
Now our roster has been announced by Jeff Jackson, and from what I gather it will be very exciting, but also heart breaking at times, season for us. One thing is for sure, we are going to score a lot of goals! Our team record was set in our inaugural season, 05-06 with 270 goals for. That is in danger this season, My ‘over/under’ is 280 and would not be surprised by 300! We did not prove this in the pre-season, but we were also missing a few key players for this still in Leaf Camp. I did say heart breaking for a reason. Out 1st 2 seasons we gave up over 260 goals against, I feel MacDonald will save us from hitting those marks but 250 is not out of the question. This is a weak defence and outside our first two sets of D, defensive responsibility goes off the deep end.
As far as the ‘Standings’ outlook go, we are in a 4 team battle for 2 playoff spots. Manitoba and Hamilton should take the top 2 spots in the division. Grand Rapids added our Kris Newbury and Jeremy Williams along with Power Play Superstar, 05-06 AHL Top Defenseman, Andy Delmore. Not to mention many returnees looking for their breakouts. The Griffins look to have a spot in the playoffs within grasp. Lake Erie has had a pretty good turn over, getting Darren Hayder, Brett Skinner and Brian Fahey. Also much like us, Colorado’s NCAA prospects are done serving time, Billy Sauer, Brandon Yip, Ryan Stoa & Justin Mercier being the notables. Abbotsford has the goaltenders and the defence, If they can score outside their top line, they should be pretty good! Rochester is in for another long season.
Should It matter, San Antonio looks absolutely awesome!, Last year they were my pick yes, and finished last in their division, but was one the AHL’s best teams in last half of season! After starting 2 and 21 (with 17 game losing streak), They finished up 34-23! This season they are not only getting Phoenix’s excellent prospects, they are getting Anaheim’s good ones too. From what I see they have 11 Forwards that can get over 40 pts this season and have 3 veteran AHL goalies. The D isn’t Great but its good enough. This may be the only team that out scores us! Chicago as always has a good team that includes our 2 best single season scorers, Tim Stapleton and John Pohl. Norfolk has the best paper roster in the Eastern Conference, but overall it looks pretty weak over there.
Now that you’ve gotten the overview of what was done and how others look, Let’s see how our roster breaks down and predictions for the up coming season starting Sunday afternoon!
Depth Chart:
Jiri Tlusty - Tyler Bozak - Christain Hanson
Alex Foster - Daryl Boyce - Ryan Hamilton
Alex Berry - Greg Scott - Andre Deveaux
Kyle Rogers - Ben Ondrus - Richard Greenop
Robert Slaney - Dale Mitchell
Tim Brent will be assigned when healthy and will knock Bozak or Boyce off their lines and Scott or Rogers out of regular games. Viktor Stalberg and Nikolai Kulemin are also likely to see time with us, pushing those above and Berry and Greenop out also. Stefano Giliati unfortunately got cut to Reading after being our top forward in Marlie Camp. (Berry, Slaney, Rogers or Greenop would have been better cuts) Should we need others, Max Taylor is not signed but healthy and in Reading.
Brendan Mikkelson - Phil Oreskovic
Carl Gunnarsson - Jonas Frogren
Brennan Evans - Todd Perry
Juraj Mikus- Josh Engel
Eric Werner and Joe Ryan were assigned to Reading. Josh Engel could end up joining them if he’s not getting minutes with us. Others Marlies may look at are Scott Langdon who was our property a couple years back and Rob LaLonde who we borrowed last season and played decent although limited.
Joey MacDonald
James Reimer
Down in the ECHL, Andrew Engelage will be sitting should we need him.
Player By Player:
Jiri Tlusty - Wilson says he was send down because “Jiri has had trouble scoring in the NHL.” “We are going to start him there, hopefully get his touch and confidence, then see where we are…”. I seen Jiri having a spot to lose in camp, Congrats, he did it! Should see Leaf call ups through the season. 60-70 points in 55-65 games is about what to expect. (80 games = 90 pts or so)
Tim Brent - Our big off-season transaction, when and if and when healthy will produce around a point per game. Expect a good 2 way game from him too. He is a top line player in the AHL and should not change here. Got to be asking me: If this guy was selected 2nd rd (37th overall) and you keep talking him up, why has he never made the cut? Well in the early to mid 2000’s Anaheim’s prospects included, Stanislav Chistov, Joel Perrault, Tony Martensson, Pierre Parenteau, Joffrey Lupul, Drew Miller, Cory Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Dustin Penner, Ryan Shannon, Zenon Konopka & Chris Kunitz, Ryan Carter. When your in that kind of company fighting for 1-2 spots per year and Brian Burke is adding solid forwards VIA free agency, you can excuse him for being over looked.
Tyler Bozak - Everyone is pushing this kid way too much in my opinion. He is only placed on top line because Brent is not healthy and he had good chemistry with Hanson and Stalberg in leaf camp, which makes sense to keep him with Hanson here. Although he has looked good and was a tough cut, it was mentioned “The numbers just don’t work…”, the numbers being his $3.75 million contract! Only played 2 seasons of NCAA and was not dominant, and has never played more that 60 games in a regular season. (only 41 and 19 in NCAA) I’m expecting a good start, with a drop off to finish because of healthy Brent and the season “grind” 40-55 pts is my guess. (I know I’ll hear it for that!)
Christain Hanson - Big body, nice shot, but same category as Bozak. NCAA breeds a more complete and ‘Pro-ready’ player. But these players can rarely push on in the 2nd half of seasons. Hanson should post similar 40-50 pts with Bozak, without the hot start and wont drop as much in 2nd half. His body is big enough he should weather the physicality just fine.
Alex Foster - I expected his fall off last season, well for this season expect a break out! Two years ago he was on pace for 55 pts (finished with 46), this season 60-70 points wouldn’t be far off. Alex was great in our playoffs and really looks to have found stride. I have him on 2nd line, but 1st and 2nd is inter-changeable.
Daryl Boyce - The man with a new nose will be as impressive as Foster. Over/Under is 70pts. Being a ‘Burke type player’ earned him a 2 year contract. He will be out to show it. Boyce also will be one of the most entertaining players in Marlie Blue N’ Silver!
Ryan Hamilton - Career 2-way minor leaguer. Hitting prime, but not gifted offensively. Expect 35ish Pts over a full season.
Andre Deveaux - Showed some unexpected hands last year, not the ones he usually uses to punch people. He was on pace to throw up 60 points last season, don’t expect that this year. 35 could be though, which is more than usual for him. Usually posts 200-250 PIMs, that wont be expected this year with Greenop. 150 will be the range I’ll predict.
Christopher Didomenico - I haven’t said a word yet on him as he is out till mid-late December, maybe January. Not that I should have to. WHEN Chris hits the roster he will be loved. Very good scorer and puck mover, which is why he played on the John Tavares line in the WJC last season. He has a broken femur (I believe) as a result of an unfortunate check in the playoffs in the ‘Q‘. I will be checking on status up dates often and report when I hear. But when he gets in it may be a slow start, but with some of the guys he will have here, point per game is not out of the equation. Career 1.2 points per game in the ‘Q’ and was on an unbelievable 2.33 points per game in 15 playoff games before the sever injury!
Greg Scott - Could have played last year, but was sent back to dominate Junior. Dominate he did! Led team in scoring and unfortunately got ousted early in playoffs. Great 2-way player, very good shot, average size and good speed. If he stays a regular, transition to pro may be seamless. 80 points is a stretch, but 55-60 is not, 20-30 goals would also be a good range, which is not a drop off of his JR numbers.
Alex Berry - Had a 8 game stint last season and was a late bloomer in NCAA. Not as much a offensive threat as a solid role player with grit. Very good size, skating is a bit below average, but good hands and see’s the ice well and understands his role. Expect 20-30 points as he will be in and out of the press box once and a while. 100 PIMs would not be out of the question either. Will look to fill a Ryan Hamilton-like role for us as he develops.
Ben Ondrus - Our Captain. Liability in the NHL and not good enough enforcer to stick. But decent AHLer and proper leader. Should not need to take things into his hands, and should post 25 point season.
Kyle Rogers - This kid drives me and many others nuts! How does he stay and earn contracts?! 11 points last season and showed nothing! Giliati’s 15 pts in 18 less games was cut! No speed, no hands, no real awareness, all he has is size. Prediction is very difficult, because he’s played a full pro year that wasn’t good, he should improve, especially on this good scoring roster (20-25 points). Or he could be the send down when players get healthy or Eakins gets over his “Cranial-Rectal Disorder” (less than 10 pts).
Robert Slaney - Flown under the radar to most fans in the pro game as an un-draftee, yet put up very good #s in the ‘Q’ and like Scott, Didomenico, Stalberg & Bozak, he led his team in scoring in the past 2 years.
I have Slaney as an extra, but could see 50+ games this year or could be in the ECHL for ice time. While in the AHL, a point every 2 games and a goal every 4 is about right, but we have a lot of 30+ point scorers. Considering 11 of the 13 I’ve already mentioned will hit that range + 4 more forwards could.
Dale Mitchell - We got a taste 2 years ago, been waiting ever since. OHL Champion on Windsor last year. Played with Tavares in Oshawa also, should bring a lot of “Mitchell-ites” into Ricoh from Oshawa and Etobicoke. Not overly gifted, but finds the back of the net often enough. Also has a mean streak in him. Small player, but solid at 205 pounds and is always stirring the pot. Expect him to get in 40 games, 20 points in those games, adjust as he plays more. He is the type that you could see make the turn much like a Domi (had 73 pts in 103 OHL games his final 2 years), Clark (155 pts in 136 WHL games) even more Patrick Kaleta (103 pts in 130 OHL Games last 2 years) in order to make an attempt at the NHL. To be those 3 he’d need to use his fists from time to time, I don’t know if he has that in him.
Stefano Giliati - How you cut your best player in an AHL camp is beyond me… Played great in Scotland according to reports, and in the game in Oshawa, he was using a lot of speed, was one of the very few Marlies creating opportunities and was filling in for pinching defensemen regularly. Hanson some how earned a star in the game, he was not good at all, should have been Giliati’s. I was on the fence about Eakins when he was hired, this put him in the gutter to me (a few bench decisions I seen him make in Oshawa I didn’t like also). Anyway… in the ECHL him and Taylor should rip it up! Both played good together for the Marlies in very limited stints. As a Marlie, if Giliati was given a fair shake he’d be on pace for like 30-40 points over a season, so when he gets called up 1 every 3 games, and more is about the idea.
Very good penalty killer too when he was called upon.
Viktor Stalberg - It should be expected that he’s up and down in the season. With the Marlies, point per game or just under is about perfect. Great speed, great release (Alex Suglobov and John Mitchell like) means could be a finisher 5 on 5, and because of lack of offensive D-men, he could be a trigger man on the point for Marlies.
Jay Rosehill - Don’t expect him with Leafs long, and when he is down he will have a 4th line spot waiting for him. I cant see more than 15-20 points over a full AHL season, but he is in fight to show he can be more effective than Deveaux. Doesn’t take the dumb penalties that Deveaux takes, but needs to show more to stay up in NHL. Quickly becoming a fan favourite in Toronto after things did not work at all in the Tampa system.
Nikolai Kulemin - In 5 AHL games last season he tried to be a 1 man show. If he gets over that he could be excellent for us. That said he was great against men in Russia and belongs in the NHL not here, but his attitude, hard work and production will decide that for him. Despite being pointless last year with the Marlies in 5 games, he showed all the tools that he can do it rather easily, not to mention he had 31 points in the NHL. So I’ll be bold and EXPECT a point per game.
Brendan Mikkelson - A solid 2-way defenseman with NHL potential. Played 34 games in Anaheim last season and likely 1st recall for them. He will bring with him a nice tool bag and some size. Won’t get more than 30 pts, but could see some power play since we are pretty lean on the backend. A very good player to be loaned.
Phil Oreskovic - Every one knows and loves Big Phil. Amusing as #@%*, large and imposing, and very strong defensively. He will be our longest serving and most experienced Defenseman on the Marlies (from the Leaf end), despite only having played 158 pro games over 3 seasons at the ripe ole age of 22. Major problem is his speed, but it rarely causes an issue because of his sound positioning. Phil has not shown the skill set that made him scary in OHL, that being the ability to lay players out. In his transition to pro he is more using his big frame to move players and to pin opponents. Personally I would like to see some of the thundering body checks he is capable of throwing. Offensively 30 points would be a stretch, if not for the fact Phil should see a good 25 minutes per night and be thrown out in key situations. Also should throw us a decent + rating this season. The penalty kill will live and die with his ability to box players from the slot.
Carl Gunnersson - Has been playing with men in Sweden for 3 seasons now, and we have been waiting for him to come across. Carl will run our power plays, likely with a 4th forward like Foster or Scott. Expect Carl to have a good 1st half of the season, slowing in the 2nd. AHL does not take the Olympic break so it will be a grind for him. Point range can very from 35-60 points depending on health, adjustments, his call-up status and 2nd half drop off. Not physical defensively, but responsible much like our Tomas Kaberle.
Jonas Frogren - He is the rock on our core. Jonas must assert himself and his vet presence this season to stay in North America with a new contract. Because of his rough and tumble play, odds are he will be in and out of the line-up with various bumps and bruises. 10-20 PTS and a + are expected, along with helping Phil on the PK.
Brennan Evans - Also a veteran at 425 AHL games, brings in a rough style of game. Throws up 150+ PIMs from the back end, decent defensively, limited but not un-useful offensively. I will expect a new career high for him in points (more than 16). Brennan is a decent skater, just over looked in JR because of lack of production and then stuck in deep systems. (Calgary, Ottawa, San Jose and Anaheim)
Todd Perry - Put together a quiet but good season for us last year, expect that to grow. 15-20 points over a full season can be expected from Todd, but it will be quiet. He has an outside shot at seeing some power play time with his big shot.
Juraj Mikus - Scored for Leafs with a big shot in pre-season, my running joke is, that will be one of only 3 this year. A very true stay at home guy with very large body and good feet. Juraj is likely to sit on quite a few occasions this year and may see ice in Reading if not getting it here. 5-10 points is about right, with 15 possible over a full 80 games. What you will find most interesting is his ability to be compact. Will use speed to break up rushes and an active stick to handle players in front. Because of these features, Juraj rarely sees time in the sin bin and when he does its more from the Tripping type penalties, more than the Hooking and Holdings you will normally see. Juraj’s adjustment to North America will likely not be smooth, so expect that. I don’t want to say possible Roman Kukumberg, but lets hope that’s not what happens with Juraj.
Josh Engel - I wont say much on him because there isn’t much to go on. Played excellent in his extended AHL showcase last season, had great awareness and communication as I have spoke on before. Will likely see a lot of ECHL time for us, if he doesn’t point every 4-5 games is the expectation (15-20 over 80 games).
Joey Ryan - Already down in the ECHL. Interestingly enough was selected 2nd round, 48th overall by Los Angeles in 2006, yet never signed. (could have been LA deciding against it) Players selected after Ryan include: Milan Lucic, Artem Anisimov, Steve Mason, Cal Cutterbuck, Viktor Stalberg & Sergei Shirokov… How is LA’s scouting staff today? Joey drives many loyal Marlie fans up a wall with his poor defensive play. Likely to see a call up for a few games and could post a point every 2 to 3 games.
Eric Werner - Decent D man, but can’t decide where he wants to be. In last 2 years he has been to Denmark twice, Finland and Manchester AHL. Kind of a ECHL deal for Reading as when owned by Manchester, he put up rather great #s for the Royals. Could see some time with us and could provide some surprises.
Joey MacDonald - Like Clemmenson and Aubin before, we have ourselves a goalie off the NHL scrap heap. Can it be ironic that like the 2 before, Joey is 29 years old? Head up Joey, following Aubin’s Marlie season he played with the Leafs and then LA going 17-16, Clemmy returned to the NHL going 26-15 (so far)! Joey will be asked to stand on his head for this young team, something Joey is able to do. In 02-03 as a rookie, shared the AHL Lowest GAA award with Marc Lamothe, and his past AHL Career has been well served. Expect 30-35 wins from Joey, with a mid level Goals Against Average and SV%.
James Reimer - Had very good ECHL season, complete with a Kelly Cup Championship and named Playoff MVP despite only playing 8 games. Started his Marlie career with an excellent win, followed by 2 losses. James will see limited time this season 20-25 games vs. more of the lower AHL talent. James will be hard to project this season as it could be ugly. James need to use his large frame to his advantage and stay humble unlike our last “saviour”. Joey will be a great mentor for James, much like Lamothe was for MacDonald, James will need to take everything he can from Joey this season on how to conduct himself as a professional and leader of a team, while goalie coach Allaire, gives James the technical aspect. James has an opportunity to develop under a great, new system.
Andrew Engelage - Andrew has had the experience as an OHL Champion and appeared in the Memorial Cup. That gives great positives to Reading as he will spend most of the season there. In my opinion Andrew is not a good goaltender (might be the reason he was un-drafted), Andrew was thrown into an opportunity on a great team and could not have failed. Went 46 and 5 last season playing on an All-Star JR team. His SV% was ranked as 6th in the OHL and was barely above 3 others. Putting my opinion aside, Reading will have a decent team and Andrew likely picked up things from Allaire himself. Andrew could develop well and become a solid pro goalie. His growth in Reading will decide the direction he goes. Toronto, itself does not have a great track record of keeping our goalies in similar rolls to him. Ford, Jakaitis, Ouzas and Gherson never made it into spots above the “E” for us. (this could also be bad omen for Reimer)
These are the names that you will become familiar to hearing this winter in Ricoh, and roles and expectations this Marlie fan has for the players.
Hopefully together, we can see this squad get 16 wins outside of the regular season! (while throw my expectations out the window)
