While monitoring the updates from New York City, it’s time to answer some questions from Leafs Nation.
Q: @ldsooner asks - Aside from Gardiner, who on the Marlies are candidates for employment with the Leafs? Does Rielly have a chance of sticking?
A: Ben Scrivens is a definite as he will be the backup to James Reimer. On defense Gardiner will obviously return, Korbinian Holzer will get a chance as he was signed to a one way deal last summer in anticipation of possibly being with the big club and consideration may be given to 28 year old Paul Ranger, who played 270 career games with Tampa and was signed to an AHL only deal in August. He has slowly been improving as he plays more, which is natural after being out of competitive hockey for three years, but he is an unrestricted free agent and can go anywhere if he is offered an NHL job.
At forward, Matt Frattin is a lock, as is Nazem Kadri, Keith Aucoin could get a chance as a fourth line center candidate, Leo Komarov(who is playing with the KHL’s Dynamo Moscow) played very well in his brief North American stint and big Carter Ashton could get a look, but he might benefit more from additional seasoning in the AHL.
Q: @CSousa07 asks - Is Garret Sparks the Leafs best goaltending prospect?
A: The Leafs seventh rounder from 2011 selection has significantly stepped up his game this season with the Guelph Storm, which was reflected in his selection to Team USA this morning for the upcoming World Juniors. It’s hard to evaluate who the best prospect is based on the varying stages of development, Jussi Rynnas is 25, has played three seasons in the ECHL/AHL and is putting up good numbers with the Marlies this season, while 23 year old Mark Owuya played wonderfully in the AHL last season stepping in for an injured Rynnas. Both goalies are RFA’s next season and Sparks will have to be signed before the draft next June for the Leafs to retain his rights, so we will find out who the organization thinks has the best future very soon.
Q: @ramsville asks - Kadri's a +5 last I checked which shows he has improved his defensive game. Could he finally be a number 1 center?
A: Most of Kadri’s games with the Marlies have been on the wing, but Dallas Eakins would agree with your assessment that he has improved defensively. That being said, after Joe Colborne was sat down on Sunday and Kadri was moved to center to take his place, he made a bad decision on a power play late in the first that resulted in a short-handed goal for Lake Erie. Placing Kadri with Joffrey Lupul and Phil Kessel could be a dynamite offensive trio, but they could be a defensive nightmare for Randy Carlyle.
Q:@WhyGoneGin asks - How much value would Franson have in a Luongo trade even though he is an RFA?
A: Franson could be a player that Vancouver is very interested in. He is a BC native, he is a solid offensive defenseman with a hard point shot and he has three years of NHL experience at only 25 years old. He made less than $1 Million last season, which means that signing him to a two or three year contract would not set the Leafs or a team he is traded to back much. With Alexander Edler as an RFA, Vancouver might be looking for a cheaper option on the blueline.
Q: @eli362 asks - Does Burke hope the season gets cancelled in order to go after Getzlaf/Perry??
A: My stance has continued to be that the lockout may have saved Burke for another year, as the new owners may not feel it is the best course of action to fire him after an abbreviated season with a new coach in Randy Carlyle on the job. If he survives the season, Toronto will be in a great position to sign one or both of the former Ducks, as the contracts of Connolly, Lombardi and Bozak will be expiring. The only way that Burke gets fired is if the club is a total disaster and finishes in the lottery for the second year in a row.
Q: @ahurst11 asks - Do you think Komarov will be a Leaf on opening night?
A: Short answer……yes. Komarov will be a third line winger in the opening night roster.
Q: @eric_five_sud asks - Hey Mike, what is your favorite Leafs memory?
A: Game 7 of Detroit series in 1993 is definitely up there and there are many others, but let me give you one that I attended back in 1994, which was especially sweet since the Leafs made a three goal comeback against the Sabres in Buffalo.
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