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Detroit lost the rights to two players from the 2019 drafts and I talked about it a few days ago. Ethan Phillips and Robert Mastrosimone gained their UFA status, and the latter has flexed the option to go pro just across the bridge.
The Marlies will be the scrappy potential depth player getting scouted by a team in a very different place, and that may be the very best opportunity for him.
Honestly, there’s not really the “regret… in something like this. I see many of you who believe that players are in spots above their level so if a prospect projects as a depth player the opportunity in a place like Toronto is much more open. The Leafs have some high end (even generational) talent that takes up a chunk of the cap. The ELC player unlikely to hit all the bonuses or the veteran (potential after a buyout) willing to take league minimum is part of the equation each year. Detroit needs to add at the top.
I doubt I’ve said anything earth shattering, but there will still be back and forth and if Mastrosimone can find success beyond his projection, I’m truly happy for him. (In an odd twist NYI and TOR are talking about Nylander apparently). I don’t know how you replace Nylander in what he did last year but the clock is ticking and Matthews is getting a raise.
This year’s first round acquisitions are still players I have to get to know. I was big on Edvinsson and I hope that pans out as well but he needs to recover properly and without the spotlight. (That kid is big though. I’m 6’1… and that used to be considered tall. That kid on skates looks like he’s 6’8… or more).
The Veleno situation still intrigues me. There’s a part of me that wonders if someone really wants to get him in the fold. In a lower pressure role he’s another in the type of high desirable for competitors who have limited space and high end players that can inspire. (Man I am going to miss Bergeron. One of my favorite not wings of the past decade or so). We’ll see what invites (if applicable) and which rookies come to camp hungry enough to break through. The opportunity is still there and I’d love to see someone over perform.