conFABulator
Registered User
- Apr 11, 2021
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- 1,266
I like all of this.Quillan
Grebyonkin
Cowan
Are all guys I look at in the main camp.
I know people put Minten in that group but I honestly think you're going to get a better finished product by putting him at the 1C with the Marlies and giving him good wingers to get better offensively.
If only say, Cowan made it, the below is a pretty good group;
Nylander-Minten-Steeves would be great wingers for him to start.
Abrusezze-Shaw-Grebyonkin
Hirvonen-Quillan-Tverberg
Nice top 9
I agree on the Minten approach. It might be good to get him a few games in the NHL this year so he can benchmark his development and readiness and go back to the AHL knowing what work he needs to do. Him getting 1C touches and minutes might be exactly the grooming he needs to be a 3C in the show, which I think is a fine place for him to end up. 3C/4C combination of Minten and Quillan could be huge for us for the next 5 to 7 years.
I also think we should give Steeves a real look this year, probably once injuries hit. I feel like he has done what have needed him to do as a Marlie and we should reward that with an opportunity.
I would like to see Robertson, Holmberg, Minten, Cowan, Grebyenkin, and Steeves play a combined 300 NHL games this year. We need to start integrating youth into the lineup (maybe include A. Nylander in this, he is a wildcard).
Cowan is another situational one. I used to think being with big club was best for his development (nothing left to learn in the O) and for the team (depth with energy and upside). Now I think we only plan for the nine games unless he blows our doors off and forces his way into the top nine. He would be taking a spot from Robertson or Holmberg. Those guys have upside too so it's a bit about asset management. I could see either of the following being a good call:
(a) He sticks with the Leafs and gets into +/- 40 games this year, he practices with pros and NHL coaches every day, he observes and learns from the pressbox too, he gets released to the juniors and leads them, he is a fresh playoff option for us, and he is prepare and confident to be an a full timer and contributor the following year.
(b) He goes back to the Knights, plays centre, bulks up a bit, works on his game, and shows us he can do what he did last year again only as the undisputed leader of his team. He goes to the juniors and has more impact there too. He comes to camp next year to win a job or be a Marlie fighting for a call up all year.
Plan (B) seems like the more measured and patient approach and we do have other youth we want to integrate this year. Grebyenkin for example.
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