Prospect Info: Marlies & Prospect Discussion

[AlienWorkShop]

I recall the 'story' with Villeneuve is he was drafted as an offence-only D (58 points in 64 games in his draft year), who has since worked hard to become more of a two-way guy (see his pts/GP fell from 0.9 to 0.6 in his D+1 year), plus he has size.

Doesn't sound he's made a major stride this year (0.51 pts/GP in the AHL ain't too shabby) and any form of suspect skating can be a prospect death knell, but I can at least imagine him suddenly emerging.

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While our D prospect depth is lacking overall, it does say something that there is at least a debate to be had as to whether to call up Rifai, Kokkonen, Niemela, or Villeneuve next.

Rifai and Kokkonen both look like they could be okay 6/7 guys to me.

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Would be nice to see Joe Miller more 'explode' offensively, especially as an older NCAA sophomore, but thought I'd add some further context to his numbers.

Last year, he produced 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points in 33 games (0.85) on a strong Harvard squad: 28-8-2, with 3.67 GF/G and 2.38 GA/G. Miller thus had a hand in 22.4% of Harvard's goals, and scored 10% of their goals.

This year, with Harvard losing most of their top players, he's at 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in 25 games (0.88). Harvard's only 5-16-4, with 2.64 GF/G and 3.52 GA/G. Miller's had a hand in 37.9% of their goals, and has scored 19% of their goals.

Apparently impressed Leafs brass at camp, so may still be one to watch.

 

[conFABulator]

The forward group can be worked out heading into next season. I think that at least 2 of the ELCs, Minten, Cowan, Grebyonkin, Steeves and Holmberg will be roster regulars, with McMann getting a cheap 2 year extension.

The focus NEEDS to be on allocating Bertuzzi's cap hit, Domi's cap hit and Kampf's cap hit to defense.

Not sure if I have these cap hits correct, but this seems like a pretty good distribution of funds.

Rielly (7.5) - Pesce (6.0)
Forsling (5.5) - Roy (4.75)
McCabe (2.0) - Liljegren (3.0)
Benoit (1.3)

i agree with this. The other part of the equation is goaltending. If we can have Woll and veteran back up (or Hildeby) be our goalies for under $2M total then we have lots of money to allocate to D.

Also, adding Tsyplakov at league minimum is another option. If we can run inexpensive depth forwards and goalies then we can upgrade our D substantially.

 

[The Iceman]

Liljegren will be traded
Benoit will be the 6th dman minimum

Jamcrock we are playing really well without him

UFA
Joshua Dakota 2 5 mil C/W skilled tough hit fight

Too many people hav recency goggles on. Weak schedule alert.
leafs PK has been a disaster. Jarnkrok is a rare shinning light on that unit And an important part of any success we achieve.

 

[Leafs1991]

Knies Matthews Nylander
Robertson Tavares Marner
Cowan Minten Holmberg
McMann Kampf Steeves

If we go into next year graduating some of our prospects at forward, we could afford to allocate some money on the defense. I see a speedy, tenacious lineup here with a good balance of offense and defense.

So cool to see so many drafted and developed players, and players who spent time on the Marlies.

 

[SprDaVE]

Depleted Marlies bring in temp depth.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Liljegren will be traded
Benoit will be the 6th dman minimum

Jamcrock we are playing really well without him

UFA
Joshua Dakota 2 5 mil C/W skilled tough hit fight

Just FYI, it's Dakota Joshua, not the inverse

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Just FYI, it's Dakota Joshua, not the inverse

No. It is Jakota Doshua.

I am beyond sleep-deprived.

 

[genk]

Cowan now has sole possession of the 12th longest point streak in the OHL since 2000. If he can make it to 27 games, that'll tie him at 3rd with Tavares, McDavid and DeBrincat. He needs 33 games for the record.

 

[aingefan]

Ex-Marlie Justin Brazeau just scored his first NHL goal……

For the……

F’n B’s.

Oh….edit….and in his first game.

 

[4thline]

Cowan now has sole possession of the 12th longest point streak in the OHL since 2000. If he can make it to 27 games, that'll tie him at 3rd with Tavares, McDavid and DeBrincat. He needs 33 games for the record.

SH goal, PP assist, and another assist for 3 points, 3rd period still to play

 

[LeafParade]

SH goal, PP assist, and another assist for 3 points, 3rd period still to play

Cowan is toying with the OHL at this point.

 

[Maplebeasts]

Cowan is toying with the OHL at this point.

Cowan now has sole possession of the 12th longest point streak in the OHL since 2000. If he can make it to 27 games, that'll tie him at 3rd with Tavares, McDavid and DeBrincat. He needs 33 games for the record.

SH goal, PP assist, and another assist for 3 points, 3rd period still to play

He's pretty much a lock to make the team out of camp imo unless his camp sucks.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

Cowan is so damn good. Pure dominance.

 

[Commander Clueless]

1. Minten
2. Steeves - RFA may not even be qualified
3. Cowan
4. Grebyonkin - likely one more year in the K

I don’t think any will make it next year, Barring a major shakeup I see:

Knies - AM - MM
JT - UFA/Trade - Willie
Robs - UFA/Trade - jarnkrok
Holmberg - Kampf - McMann

Ideally Kampf is traded as well and Holmberg can slide over.

I'm thinking Cowan makes it hard for the Leafs to say no next year.

If Greb comes over, him too.

 

[4thline]

He's pretty much a lock to make the team out of camp imo unless his camp sucks.

I wouldn't call him a lock by any means- but he reasonably be pencilled into a "battle" spot where no one should be surprised if he stays with the team, which is an absolutely crazy calendar year of development.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

He's pretty much a lock to make the team out of camp imo unless his camp sucks.

I think he skill-wise he's ready...but feel like it'll be similar to what we did with Minten...give him the 9 game trial to see if he sticks tbh instead of a lock.

 

[LeafParade]

I wouldn't call him a lock by any means- but he reasonably be pencilled into a "battle" spot where no one should be surprised if he stays with the team, which is an absolutely crazy calendar year of development.

Based on where they started the season, Cowan, Minten, and Grebs have had crazy trajectories and they are still rolling.

 

[IrishInOntario]

If we think Liljegren is going to get traded, would you rather him be moved as a piece in a deal that brings a more established, top 4 d-man back... Or for a young forward on an ELC, or cheaper contract that is a surefire top 9 contributor?

If the right D-man is available, I'm fine adding Lijegren to the deal. Otherwise, I think I'd like to add a cheap, controlled asset to the forward pool, in more of a hockey trade if one is out there. I think Toronto makes a trade for at least 1 D-man at the deadline, and brings in 2 more during free agency this summer. Regardless, I think the problem will largely be addressed over the next 6 months and the d-core will look much different.

In order to fix the defense, however, and fit eveything into the salary cap structure, Toronto needs as much super cheap talent up front as possible. Therefore, if Liljegren can net you an NHL ready forward prospect or a guy on an ELC that would fit nicely into the top 9, I'd take it if you feel it's the "right" guy.

Adding 1 more high skill forward to the prospect pool to replace Rodion Amirov's (RIP young man) spot in the organization, to go along with Knies, Cowan, Minten and Grebyokin would make me feel a lot better about Toronto's ability to field a cheap, talented, bottom 6, until we get a couple more years of the Salary Cap increasing at a quality rate and Tavares' large contract coming off the books.

 

[horner]

Just FYI, it's Dakota Joshua, not the inverse

Thanks

 

[conFABulator]

If we think Liljegren is going to get traded, would you rather him be moved as a piece in a deal that brings a more established, top 4 d-man back... Or for a young forward on an ELC, or cheaper contract that is a surefire top 9 contributor?

If the right D-man is available, I'm fine adding Lijegren to the deal. Otherwise, I think I'd like to add a cheap, controlled asset to the forward pool, in more of a hockey trade if one is out there. I think Toronto makes a trade for at least 1 D-man at the deadline, and brings in 2 more during free agency this summer. Regardless, I think the problem will largely be addressed over the next 6 months and the d-core will look much different.

In order to fix the defense, however, and fit eveything into the salary cap structure, Toronto needs as much super cheap talent up front as possible. Therefore, if Liljegren can net you an NHL ready forward prospect or a guy on an ELC that would fit nicely into the top 9, I'd take it if you feel it's the "right" guy.

Adding 1 more high skill forward to the prospect pool to replace Rodion Amirov's (RIP young man) spot in the organization, to go along with Knies, Cowan, Minten and Grebyokin would make me feel a lot better about Toronto's ability to field a cheap, talented, bottom 6, until we get a couple more years of the Salary Cap increasing at a quality rate and Tavares' large contract coming off the books.

If Liljegren is moved for a F it doesn't help so much, it opens another hole in D that we need to fill. The D we should be building around are:

Rielly
Liljegren
McCabe Benoit
Kokkonen Niemela
Chadwick

I am hopeful we sign Tsyplakov and that he pans out. That's the type ELC F we need to add.

 

[weems]

 

[horner]

If Liljegren is moved for a F it doesn't help so much, it opens another hole in D that we need to fill. The D we should be building around are:

Rielly
Liljegren
McCabe Benoit
Kokkonen Niemela
Chadwick

I am hopeful we sign Tsyplakov and that he pans out. That's the type ELC F we need to add.

I really like Rifia

 

[conFABulator]

I really like Rifia

It's funny. Me too. Thought it was a bit strange elevate his prospect status after one NHL game...though I guess it's more experience than some others on my list.

 

[djdev]

cowan for sandin still blows my mind lol.

 

[IrishInOntario]

What do we think the chances are Eastan Cowan becomes Travis Konecny at the NHL level? Same position. Similar draft position. Very similar frame and body type. Similar play styles.

Do we see a guy who is a 60-70 point scoring winger by his mid 20's, that can challenge for 30+ goals every year?