The competition for a spot on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster begins this Saturday with the annual rookie tournament in London, ON. Although it is unlikely that any of the 28 players who step onto the Budweiser Gardens ice this weekend will be on the Leafs after training camp, it is not unprecedented.
Jake Gardiner showed off his abundant offensive tools at the tournament in Oshawa three years ago, which gave the University of Wisconsin product a boost towards earning an NHL job. The same happened with 2013 lottery pick Morgan Rielly last September in London, as the 19-year-old showed superior poise, skating and puck control.
2014 top pick William Nylander will be the focus of attention for most during the four day tournament, but the likelihood of repeating the feat achieved by Gardiner and Rielly is remote since GM Dave Nonis added six forwards via trade and free agency over the summer.
The speedy and skilled Swede does not have to just prove he is ready to play in the NHL, Nylander would have to convince the Leafs hierarchy that he is capable of holding down a spot on the club’s top two offensive lines to prevent being sent back to MODO in the SHL for a year of seasoning.
Look for my coverage of the tournament from London, ON, as the Leafs take on the Chicago Blackhawks rookies Saturday at 7pm. All Leafs games will be boradcast live on Rogers TV and Rogers Digital Cable across Ontario on Channel 368 SD, 369 HD and will be repeated at 11pm on Leafs TV.
UPDATE - The Leafs announced that defensive prospect Rinat Valiev will not participate in this weekend's rookie tournament due to an undisclosed injury. The 19-year-old Russian was selected 68th overall at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft after scoring five goals and 23 assists with Kootenay of the WHL.
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The tryout invitation to defensemen Henrik Tallinder may simply be GM Dave Nonis padding the training camp roster and giving a 12-year veteran the opportunity to make an impression, but the circumstances seem to be place for the 35-year-old Swede to earn a spot on the Leafs roster if he proves he is still capable of keeping up in the fast-paced NHL.
Tallinder playing most of his career with the Buffalo Sabres means he is familiar with the competition Northeast/Atlantic Division and would not be intimidated by playing in a hockey-mad market like Toronto.
Veteran blueliner Paul Ranger struggled to keep up with the pace of the league early last season, but later on gave Randy Carlyle a viable option as a seventh defender later in the year.
With Ranger signing in Switzerland in July, Tallinder could give Carlyle some flexibility if Stephane Robidas recovery from two broken legs is slower than expected, if youngsters Jake Gardiner or Morgan Rielly have struggle in their own zone or if the opportunity presents itself to deal pending UFA Cody Franson.
Having an experienced extra defender also allows more time for young defensive prospects to mature in the American Hockey League. Tallinder playing the left side would also allow team captain Dion Phaneuf to move back to his preferred right side.
The Leafs also have some room to maneuver if they want to sign Tallinder to a short-term one-way deal for under $1 Million. It would mean that they would carry 13 forwards and one less spot for a Troy Bodie or Colton Orr, who both would likely clear waivers and be sent to the AHL.
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Former Leaf David Steckel has signed a one-year deal with the AHL Norfolk Admirals. The 32-year-old center played 6 games for Anaheim and 61 games for the Admirals in 2013-14, after playing half of the lockout-shortened 2013 season and all seven playoff games for the Ducks.
Steckel played 89 games over two seasons with Toronto after being acquired from the New Jersey Devils for a fourth round pick in October, 2011 and was traded to Anaheim in March, 2013 for minor leaguer Ryan Lasch and a seventh round pick.
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