Prospect Info: Marlies & Prospect Discussion

[LeafChief]

Lisowsky .. [Height 5.09 -- Weight 180]
Minten ..... [Height 6.01 -- Weight 185]
Voit ............[Height 5.09 -- Weight 151]

Hirvonen .... [Height 5.09 -- Weight 176]
Cowan ......... [Height 5.11 -- Weight 170]
Tverberg ..... [ Height 5.11 -- Weight 180]

Thanks for stopping by.

Insightful and enjoyable as always. Quite the contribution to the thread.

 

[Namikaze Minato]

From a reddit post:

I know this is rather long, but I just feel I needed to share. This is just a few parts of a long narrative from Rodion Amirov's father published today. If you'd like to translate and read the whole thing, I might be able to post an edited link in the comments, since the url is blocked on reddit
My main motivation for giving this interview, as a father and witness of everything that happened to my son, is to thank people in a human way, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you from our family and from Rodion, even though he can no longer express it in words.
Thank you for the attention and participation that the hockey community, clubs and organizations, and fans have given us. Thank you to the Toronto Maple Leafs, personally to Brendan Shanahan and Kyle Dubas. For the way they embraced Rodion, empathized and took part in his journey. I was removed from financial and organizational issues: "Ruslan, take care of your son, don't even think about it. We will solve everything."
The club was always in touch 24/7. Both doctors and team management. Dubas, who made the pick at the draft, was very fond of Rodion. They corresponded a lot, supported each other both before and during his illness. In the last few days, Kyle even wanted to fly to Munich. - Rodion passed away on August 14, and Dubas already had a ticket for the 11th.
I told agent Dan Milstein: "Rodion is in such a state, he can't see anymore, it's heavy. So what's Kyle going to do? Just pick up a weak hand and shake it? They won't even socialize."
"Ruslan, he wants to do it. It's his personal wish."
Dubas wrote and called, but my son could no longer see his messages. He was worried, rushing to the airport. The doctors stopped him: "You don't have to fly anywhere anymore..."
Toronto released 100 medals, which will be awarded to the most respected people who have made a great contribution to the history of the club and the NHL. So, Shanahan himself came to Rodion at six in the morning, when it became known that his illness had worsened and he needed to fly home from Toronto, and presented him with this medal - the very first of the 100. Rodion brought this award to Ufa and was very proud of it.

---

Until the last day, I talked to Rodion. We were sitting at the hospital in Munich at the dinner table.
"Son, I've been wondering... Do blind people dream? You've been blind for eight months. What do you see?"
"Dad, I see dreams."
"What are they? Who's there? Mom and me? I guess you've forgotten what we look like."
"Daddy, I see ice all the time. And there's a game. I'm playing hockey."
"Listen, Rodion, you had another life besides hockey. Nature, sun, forest, friends. You can and should see something else, right?"
"I'm in the game all the time. I see the ice. You know, Dad, that's probably because I've been playing hockey since I was a kid and I love it so much. When you love something in your heart and you really want it, you see it in your dreams."
I'm a grown man, I've seen a lot of things in my life. But I have learned many things from my son during these two years. Rodion has matured a lot during his illness. Courage, willpower, patience, fortitude. I don't understand where it came from! I always saw him as a teenager - young, immature, not knowing everything about life.
But I am a father, I must put my son on his feet, inspire him by my personal example. Our family is religious, and I have to teach my son strong faith, which helps in the most difficult situations.
You know, Rodion, when he was 10 years old, wrote on paper in uneven handwriting what his dream was.
"To become the best hockey player in the world and glorify God. "Win the Olympics, the Gagarin Cup, the Stanley Cup. Glorify God. Be a good man."
Twice, "glorify God." And at the end, the most important, the most important, the most valuable - "to become a good man". How profound... My son taught me simple and important things. And I'm thinking: My God, my God, what would I do in that situation? I probably wouldn't have put up with it.
It says in the Bible that God does not give a man a greater trial than he can bear. I don't know how angry I would have gotten, who I would have blamed - doctors, fate, the Almighty, I would have thrown stones at the sky, cursing everyone....
But that boy was a model of fortitude. And taught me how to live.

---

We called Germany and flew there in January. We went for a biopsy, and we were diagnosed with a malignant tumor in the fourth stage.
Foreign doctors are simple, they don't hide anything. They sit a person in front of them, the parents, and tell them about the fatal diagnosis. They said all this in front of my son. And I was amazed: he was absolutely calm.
"Rodion, do you understand the situation?"
"Yes, Dad, I understand. Don't worry, everything will pass."
Can you imagine? A man is diagnosed with brain cancer. Diffuse tumor, meaning without borders, inoperable. It's a death sentence.
But this boy sits in front of me, "Look, Dad, let's go. I need to train."
I couldn't figure it out - either all hockey players are such suckers, or it's this incredible composure.
I was in shock. I was sobbing. I cried and cried to God, "My God, why? What have I done wrong in my life?"
I didn't show that kind of emotion in front of Rodion. With my family, I was confident and calm. But this boy has amazed me since the day he learned of his diagnosis.
He didn't give a shit. "Dad, let's do a biopsy soon," "let's get this topic over with quickly," "let them prescribe treatment, and we're in the middle of the season, and the playoffs are coming up." It's just so bizarre.

---

He began to train more actively, even gaining weight. It seemed that he was getting better. His condition looked good. We had already been treated in Moscow and even had a consultation via video link, where there were German and Canadian doctors. After the meeting, they authorized the flight across the ocean.
We talked a lot about it at the family meeting: should we go to Canada? After all, the flight, a foreign country... But in Russia, everything is close by, and you can quickly solve any issue.
But Rodion was living the dream. He came to me: "Dad, I had a dream."
He was so interesting, he was always dreaming.
"And I dreamed I was in Toronto."
"Son, you'll be there someday. We'll finish chemo, you'll play a season, and then you'll go to the NHL on a contract..."
"No, listen. In this dream I'm already sitting in the locker room with Matthews, Tavares, Samsonov... All the guys from Maple Leafs. I'm wearing a lightweight Russian national team jacket. We just practiced. Now we're sitting together and talking."
Forget the whole thing. There's a doctor's conference. And the son makes a decision: "I'm going to fly. "I want to go, Dad. I have to be there."
Talked to Dan, talked to the Toronto doctors. In the preseason, the Maple Leafs had time and opportunity to work with Rodion individually. In the end, we decided to combine good and useful. And that he would be distracted by going to Canada for a dream, and would work on the ice. The plan was that Rodion would stay there for two or three months, and come back closer to the New Year in a good physical condition. And if he was allowed, he would play on the team.

---

[The Leafs] brought in a top oncology professor. There was a huge waiting list for this neurosurgeon, but the Maple Leafs management took care of everything. They did the MRI, and right on the same day, Dan calls me via video link. Rodion is sitting there, Canadian professors. And they translate what the doctors are telling me.
"This is the situation," they say. "Take your son. Not even to treat him anymore. We're not going to keep him. At a time like this, he should be with his family. He has three months, six months tops. And even six months would be a miracle. We can't even give him that long."
...I remember after they said that, I just fell over. Just yesterday, the kid was showing hope, practicing. He had some pain, but we thought we'd let him play in an NHL game. And then this happened. It just hit me.
Then my son picks up the phone: "Dad, don't worry. Don't tell Mom yet. Everything's gonna be fine."
And he started to calm me down! His voice didn't even waver at the doctors' words.
"Rodion, how interesting you are. You have no fear at all?" - "I just believe that everything will be fine. And I don't even allow myself to think about something tragic and scary."
Dan picks him up, brings him to Moscow. He was supposed to have a second radiation treatment right away. All the equipment is available at Skolkovo, and the staff is great.
When Rodion arrived, he couldn't see very well. The cancer cells had gotten very close to the eye center. The optic nerves were affected, and the tumor had reached there. It metastasized to his spine. That's why my son's leg almost gave out in Toronto. And when they started radiation, his vision was gone within a week. And since the end of November he couldn't see anything - neither day nor night.
At the same time, Rodion, when he recovered more or less, started going to the movies a couple of times a week. He went to the movies a couple of times a week with his little sister or the guys visiting him.
"Son, are you going to the movies again? Why?"
"I'm gonna sit and watch. I want to live like a healthy person. And that's what I'm going to do. Today I go to the movies and I don't see. But tomorrow I'll go to the movies and I'll see."
...He was living a dream, as we agreed, visualizing reality. He lived like a normal person who wants to be healthy. As long as there is at least the slightest hope.
What is faith? It is the expectation of the promised and the certainty of the unseen. My son has taught me hope, patience and faith through his life and his actions.

---

...Rodion often said, "Through my example, my fight for life and my determination, I want to give hope to all those who are fighting cancer."
You can't give up. You have to keep on living. And be grateful for each day.
Proverbs says that children are a gift from God. We are grateful to God for these 21 years and for every moment that we have lived together with our son.
And when Rodion at the age of 10 wrote on a piece of paper that he wanted to become a good person.....
He must have succeeded if so many people remember him now in their hearts, sharing our pain..

Full article: «Папа, я вижу сны. А там — лед, и я играю в хоккей». Как жил и как боролся со смертью Родион Амиров

 

[Leafed]

Maple Leafs Prospect Report: Grebyonkin's KHL season begins

Nikita Grebyonkin's season has already begun! It's time to look at his pre-season and early regular season play, and see how he's been doing.

www.pensionplanpuppets.com

Good to see Greb matching production with 2022 24th overall Danila Yurov so far while getting lots of PK time. 6'2" and lightning quick. After Knies, he's the prospect I'm most excited about.

 

[SprDaVE]

Roster has been released. I'm actually very surprised Knies is going.

Official Toronto Maple Leafs Website | Toronto Maple Leafs

The official National Hockey League website including news, rosters, stats, schedules, teams, and video.

www.nhl.com

 

[weems]

Looks like a pretty good squad

 

[Namikaze Minato]

Tried to track down more news about invites too and couldn't find anything other than Leslie. Very quiet.

My hope is:

Cowan - Minten - Voit
Mastrosimone - Hirvonen - Ellis
Ovchinnikov - O'Brien - Tverberg
Lisowsky - Kressler - Berezowski
Weiss - Assadourian - Frasca - McMillan

Tychonick - Niemela
Kokkonen - Villeneuve
Chadwick - Dillingham
Roy/Sova - Leslie

Hildeby
Peksa
Cavallin

Not a bad try, honestly. Got pretty close!

 

[LeafSteel]

From a reddit post:

Full article: «Папа, я вижу сны. А там — лед, и я играю в хоккей». Как жил и как боролся со смертью Родион Амиров

Reading this lifted me up and crushed me at the same time.

May this kid have peace finally. He was incredible, and such a tremendous loss.

So tragic….

 

[WTFMAN99]

From a reddit post:

Full article: «Папа, я вижу сны. А там — лед, и я играю в хоккей». Как жил и как боролся со смертью Родион Амиров

That was hard to read and christ, what a warrior.

 

[supermann_98]

Any reason why Moldenhauer isn’t attending? Do these guys have to be under contract? Is that it? Just curious

 

[Duke16]

Any reason why Moldenhauer isn’t attending? Do these guys have to be under contract? Is that it? Just curious

Back at school.

No prospect iplaying in the NCAA, USHL, or Euro league take part - just guys playing in the AHL, ECHL, or CHL

 

[supermann_98]

Back at school.

No prospect iplaying in the NCAA, USHL, or Euro league take part - just guys playing in the AHL, ECHL, or CHL

Thanks

 

[WTFMAN99]

Feel like Knies especially but maybe Niemela too might play 1 game and that's it, just shake off some rust ahead of training camp.

I expect Knies to make the main roster.

Niemela probably next year.

 

[The Iceman]

Happy Birthday Nick Robertson.

Easy to forget he just turned 22 years old. Younger than 8 Leaf invitees to the Travers City Tournament.

 

[Mitch nylander]

Knies - Minten - Voit
Cowan - Hirvonen - Ellis
Mastrosiomone - Kressler - Tverberg
Lisowsky - Weiss - Ovchinnikov
Greenway/Frasca

Tychonick - Niemela
Kokkonen - Villeneuve
Chadwick - Miller
Sova - Leslie
Dillingham

Hildeby
Peksa
Cavallin

 

[LeafChief]

Anyone know why O'Brien isn't on the roster? Mastrosimone is there.

 

[SprDaVE]

Anyone know why O'Brien isn't on the roster? Mastrosimone is there.

Maybe he has things to wrap up with college before making the move? Not sure. I also expected him there.

 

[Fogelhund]

""

 

[Fogelhund]

Future Considerations: Who to watch at Traverse City prospects tournament

Prospect tournaments will begin for various teams this weekend and Jason Bukala will be in Traverse City to scout Toronto, Detroit, Dallas and Columbus. Here are the players he'll be watching closely.

www.sportsnet.ca

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Dennis Hildeby, 6-foot-6, 234 pounds, left catch goalie
122nd overall in 2022

The Leafs selected Hildeby in the fourth round at the 2022 draft in Montreal, but he’s an older prospect who turned 22 in August. The obvious thing that stands out is his stature. Hildeby is a giant in the net. He came to North America at the end of his SHL season in Sweden last year and posted a 5.28 GAA and .849 save percentage in two games with the AHL Marlies. He only started 21 games for Farjestad before that, though, so ideally he would have played more games last season.

A still-developing prospect who will be tested on the smaller ice in North America, Hildeby's lateral tracking has improved year over year and he appears quicker in all areas of his game. There is room in the Leafs' pipeline for another in-house goalie prospect. It will be interesting to see how prepared Hildeby is for a full year in North America.

Easton Cowan, 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, left shot forward
28th overall in 2023

Toronto’s most recent first-rounder had a very productive second half last season and earned the trust of London Knights head coach Dale Hunter. Cowan produced nine goals and 12 assists in 20 playoff games. He plays with some sandpaper and ventures to the hard areas of the ice (along the wall and the deep slot/crease) to find pucks and create a distraction. He will be tested physically at his first rookie camp.

Other notable Leafs prospects:

Topi Niemela was selected by the Leafs in the third round of the 2020 draft and it’s safe to say Toronto is eager to see how prepared he is for rookie games and main camp. Ideally, he will push some veteran players in the coming weeks. Niemela’s offence fell off significantly last season (0.31 points per game compared to 0.66 the previous season). He’s a 5-foot-11, 170-pound defenceman who leans two-way/transitional defenceman on projection. I’m looking for him to establish himself on the power play in Traverse City.

Matthew Knies had a cup of coffee at the NHL level last spring and didn’t look out of place in the playoffs. There’s little doubt the Leafs are looking for Knies to establish himself early at training camp. I’m expecting Knies to assert himself physically and impact the games offensively at the tournament.

""

 

[4thline]

Happy Birthday Nick Robertson.

Easy to forget he just turned 22 years old. Younger than 8 Leaf invitees to the Travers City Tournament.

He was done zero favours by being rushed when Covid presented the opportunity.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Sigh.

 

[Twine Tickler]

He was done zero favours by being rushed when Covid presented the opportunity.

I have a feeling that Nick will be a guy that takes a step this year. The focus has been elsewhere for a while now in terms of prospects. A decent amount of people have already started to sour on him. But as you and @The Iceman said, he's still a pup all things considered.

The shiny new toy this year will be Matty Knies, and rightfully so. He's just a superior prospect at this point. But that said, I think that will help Nick ease into camp and the season thereafter a lot better. His road, albeit very different, kind of reminds me of Naz's road to the big boys. It took Naz a lot longer than we had originally hoped for to make the big club from the day we drafted him. We all remember his first camp, and how realistically he probably deserved to make the team. He was electric. He then went back to London, and dominated. Needless to say his stock was very high among Leafs Nation. But it took him 3 more seasons after that D+1 year before he became a regular with the big boys. It was far from a linear ascension. His rise to the NHL came almost as some were beginning to fade on him as a player.

Not trying to intentionally bury the glaring differences in their 2 developments either. I recognize Nick has had far more injury trouble then Naz ever did at that age. But adversity can do wonders for a player if actioned correctly. Sure Nick has every right to be down in the dump, but he's never really shown that quit since we drafted him. I don't expect that to change.

I am excited to see how he looks at camp. I really hope for our sake as well as his that he looks ready to compete. He could be a huge x-factor if so.

 

[LaPlante94]

I have a feeling that Nick will be a guy that takes a step this year. The focus has been elsewhere for a while now in terms of prospects. A decent amount of people have already started to sour on him. But as you and @The Iceman said, he's still a pup all things considered.

The shiny new toy this year will be Matty Knies, and rightfully so. He's just a superior prospect at this point. But that said, I think that will help Nick ease into camp and the season thereafter a lot better. His road, albeit very different, kind of reminds me of Naz's road to the big boys. It took Naz a lot longer than we had originally hoped for to make the big club from the day we drafted him. We all remember his first camp, and how realistically he probably deserved to make the team. He was electric. He then went back to London, and dominated. Needless to say his stock was very high among Leafs Nation. But it took him 3 more seasons after that D+1 year before he became a regular with the big boys. It was far from a linear ascension. His rise to the NHL came almost as some were beginning to fade on him as a player.

Not trying to intentionally bury the glaring differences in their 2 developments either. I recognize Nick has had far more injury trouble then Naz ever did at that age. But adversity can do wonders for a player if actioned correctly. Sure Nick has every right to be down in the dump, but he's never really shown that quit since we drafted him. I don't expect that to change.

I am excited to see how he looks at camp. I really hope for our sake as well as his that he looks ready to compete. He could be a huge x-factor if so.

He could really help the depth scoring, especially if we use Domi at 3C. My only concern is how has his injuries hurt his development. Guy only has 51 AHL games played and 31 NHL games in the last 3 seasons combined. We could really use his scoring touch and energy in the bottom 6.

 

[Fogelhund]

He could really help the depth scoring, especially if we use Domi at 3C. My only concern is how has his injuries hurt his development. Guy only has 51 AHL games played and 31 NHL games in the last 3 seasons combined. We could really use his scoring touch and energy in the bottom 6.

Hopefully he gets to play half a season with the Marlies, absolutely lights it up, grows his game and confidence, and then comes up when there is an injury opportunity, and never gives the spot up. I just think further time in the AHL will really benefit his game.

 

[kb]

Didn't Robertson lead the NHL (Leafs for sure) in preseason scoring before sufferingthat season ending shoulder surgery? Not much more you can do to prove you belong IMO. Same type of play as Knies got injured on too, before people bring up the size/readiness factor.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Didn't Robertson lead the NHL (Leafs for sure) in preseason scoring before sufferingthat season ending shoulder surgery? Not much more you can do to prove you belong IMO. Same type of play as Knies got injured on too, before people bring up the size/readiness factor.

I mean not really. Robertson got cleaned out and injured on a clean play that happens fairly regularly. Knies got Rock Bottomed behind the play and away from the puck lol not even remotely the same thing. That said I am not ready to give up on Robertson yet.