While a few late summer additions are possible, it appears that the Toronto Maple Leafs have put the finishing touches on their club for the upcoming season. The NHL roster will reflect the absence of leading scorer Phil Kessel and the influx of a new group of depth forwards added via free agency and trades.
They have also assembled a stockpile of young talent for the Toronto Marlies(their AHL affiliate) and Orlando Solar Bears(their ECHL affiliate) to implement the new developmental model championed by Leafs Assistant GM Kyle Dubas.
According to Kyle Cicerella,a group in excess of 40 players has been assembled for Marlies and Solar Bears.
“I think the perception of the ECHL is that the player is going there for punishment or he’s really struggled,… Dubas said in April. “We want to use it as entry level to pro hockey for younger players to start out there.…
The group includes 17 players on AHL contracts, a larger amount than has been signed to deals in previous administrations. Most of the group comprises of free agents or draft picks who did not sign with the clubs that selected them after their junior or NCAA eligibility expired, like 21-year-old Canadiens draft pick Brady Vail, Panthers 2013 selection Christopher Clapperton or Blackhawks 2010 2nd rounder Justin Holl.
“We would like to have it where first-year players start in Orlando and graduate to the Marlies and then to the Leafs.… Dubas said. “That’s going to take time for the buy in and the mindset for how people view pro hockey.…
Veterans such as 27-year-old former NHLer Andrew Campbell, ex-Nashville Predator Rich Clune and 34-year-old tough guy Justin Johnson will likely be support players in and out of the lineup for the young Marlies roster, while first year pros Frederik Gauthier, Carter Verhaeghe or Rinat Valiev play every night in Orlando.
During the lockout shortened 2013 season, the Leafs did not have an ECHL affiliate and often had a taxi squad in double figures, which undoubtedly stunted the growth of some players. Eventually prospects like Brad Ross and Sam Carrick were sent to unaffiliated ECHL clubs that had a vacant roster spot.
The Leafs began using the pipeline from the Solar Bears more frequently last season, moving center Ryan Rupert up after a successful stint and this season we could see a developmental method mirroring Major League Baseball taking hold, with Orlando as a AA franchise like New Hampshire is for the Toronto Blue Jays, with the Marlies being the AAA Buffalo Bisons.
Critics are skeptical and believe it is risky to use the ECHL to develop players, because the level of competition is not high, but the Leafs organization believes it is something worth exploring.
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2015 Leafs first rounder Mitch Marner had another successful outing for Team Canada in their final exhibition game on Thursday, with two assists in a 6-2 win over the Czech Republic. Marner ended the tournament with three assists, while 2015 second round pick Travis Dermott had a goal in a 3-2 loss to Russia on Wednesday.
Canada scoring leaders
Point 3-5-8
Konecny 0-4-4
Strome 3-0-3
Virtanen 2-1-3
Merkley 2-1-3
Fleury 1-2-3
Marner 0-3-3
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) August 7, 2015*******
Toronto prospect JJ Piccinich forfeited the last three years of his college scholarship with Boston University to join the OHL London Knights. The 2014 draft pick scored one goal and three assists as a freshman for the Terriers last season, but played only 25 of 41 games and did not see action in the NCAA Frozen Four.
Piccinich was selected by Knights GM Mark Hunter last season before joining the Leafs as their Director of Player Personnel and while playing under Hunter’s watchful eye was a factor in the 19-year-old forward’s decision, development as a pro prospect and the opportunity to play a bigger role, possibly playing with Marner, who finished second to Dylan Strome in OHL scoring last season.
“I can’t make the move to the London Knights solely based on Mark Hunter.… Piccinich said in an interview with Norman James of CTV London. “London has so much more to offer than just Mark working for the Leafs now. There are a lot more dimensions to it I would say, but it’s one of those things that is nice to have.…
Listen to the full interview here:
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