Prospect Info: Marlies & Prospect Discussion

[Fogelhund]

It's been one game, so we are jumping to conclusions here, but I would agree in that one game, he just didn't look ready. If he isn't ready, and we have better options at this time, there really isn't any choice.. he's going back... and he's going back with plenty of advice on to what he NEEDS to work on. The competition in Junior might not help him advance, but working on those areas of his game that make him more NHL ready will. Playing best on best at WJC will help his development. Maybe playing C will help his development. But he's a driven kid, and he's not going to stagnate. He'll grow up a year, be stronger, and better for it. His time will come.

Didn't he spend some time playing C last year?

Not a lot, but some.

 

[notbias]

Not a lot, but some.

It could be interesting if he does go back to the OHL if he sees more time as a C, I know he was mostly W last year.

 

[Fogelhund]

""

 

[notbias]

""

That sucks, he looked great in the rookie tournament, wanted to see him against some better competition.

 

[ULF_55]

""

Time for him to get ready for WJC?

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1838598969569546657

 

[ULF_55]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1838598969569546657

It would be good long term to have Knies and Grebenkin in the line-up.

Not sure Grebenkin will put on any more mass, but both these young men have size and strength.

I wonder if Grebenkin will continue to play off-wing?

 

[Dayjobdave]

It would be good long term to have Knies and Grebenkin in the line-up.

Not sure Grebenkin will put on any more mass, but both these young men have size and strength.

I wonder if Grebenkin will continue to play off-wing?

Every great team needs a fearless, cocky rookie who doesn't know enough to be afraid to fail.

 

[ULF_55]

Every great team needs a fearless, cocky rookie who doesn't know enough to be afraid to fail.

Might need some lessons on protecting himself in fights though. And told not to engage the Tom Wilson's/Rempe's.

 

[Fogelhund]

Might need some lessons on protecting himself in fights though. And told not to engage the Tom Wilson's/Rempe's.

Maybe have a chat, and do some training with Reaves.

 

[Dayjobdave]

Might need some lessons on protecting himself in fights though. And told not to engage the Tom Wilson's/Rempe's.

For sure.

 

[LeafParade]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1838598969569546657

I referred him to a Russian Knies a year back.

 

[horner]

Might need some lessons on protecting himself in fights though. And told not to engage the Tom Wilson's/Rempe's.

Reeves will give him some pointers

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Still time for Grebenkin to show out but I think the most likely outcome is he goes down to the AHL to better acclimate to North America. Some point later on he's a mid-season call-up and like McMann last year he proves himself to be invaluable and sticks with the team for the long-haul.

 

[stickty111]

Still time for Grebenkin to show out but I think the most likely outcome is he goes down to the AHL to better acclimate to North America. Some point later on he's a mid-season call-up and like McMann last year he proves himself to be invaluable and sticks with the team for the long-haul.

Yup I think it's a great option. Too bad Minten is hurt. Thats probably 2 3rds of your top line on the Marlies. I wonder if Abruzzese would be a good fit with them. A pure playmaker.

Related, anyone know when Marlies camp opens?

 

[Stephen]

It's been one game, so we are jumping to conclusions here, but I would agree in that one game, he just didn't look ready. If he isn't ready, and we have better options at this time, there really isn't any choice.. he's going back... and he's going back with plenty of advice on to what he NEEDS to work on. The competition in Junior might not help him advance, but working on those areas of his game that make him more NHL ready will. Playing best on best at WJC will help his development. Maybe playing C will help his development. But he's a driven kid, and he's not going to stagnate. He'll grow up a year, be stronger, and better for it. His time will come.


Not a lot, but some.

I don't see a huge problem if Cowan goes back for a D+2 and bakes in more dominant play into his muscle memory while maturing as an athlete. You can't force feed a promotion.

 

[arso40]

It would be good long term to have Knies and Grebenkin in the line-up.

Not sure Grebenkin will put on any more mass, but both these young men have size and strength.

I wonder if Grebenkin will continue to play off-wing?

he should eventually play with willie seems like their style of play fit

 

[Skullz]

Grebenkin will be great in the AHL. I think that's the right move. He needs to get acclimatized to NA ice and play style. Also, he can play on PP1 and get a lot more puck touches and ice time then he would in the NHL.

Wish Cowan could play in the AHL as well, but sending him back to the OHL is okay. Let him dominant, pick up some weight, and hopefully do better at WJC.

 

[LeafParade]

It could be interesting if he does go back to the OHL if he sees more time as a C, I know he was mostly W last year.

He played about half the playoff games at C if I recall.
I thought the likelihood of him transitioning to C was a long shot before I saw his performances at C in the playoffs.
It was not a large sample size but it does not appear farfetched any more.

 

[Menzinger]

Still time for Grebenkin to show out but I think the most likely outcome is he goes down to the AHL to better acclimate to North America. Some point later on he's a mid-season call-up and like McMann last year he proves himself to be invaluable and sticks with the team for the long-haul.

I suspect he understood he was likely starting in the AHL when he agreed to come to North America. Will be the first call up when needed

 

[LeafSteel]

Grebenkin will be great in the AHL. I think that's the right move. He needs to get acclimatized to NA ice and play style. Also, he can play on PP1 and get a lot more puck touches and ice time then he would in the NHL.

Wish Cowan could play in the AHL as well, but sending him back to the OHL is okay. Let him dominant, pick up some weight, and hopefully do better at WJC.

Actually really liking the idea of Cowan going back to the OHL and trying to play him at Centre for the season and see if he can.

He has nothing left to prove at the Junior level on the Wing, and if could take some reps at centre that could keep him challenged and help the Leafs at Centre, where they are already weak.

 

[I am Canadian]

Did Cowan penalty kill in the OHL? He's only 19, I don't understand the perspective of nothing to learn in the OHL. Set him up with some goals in terms of the defensive side of the game and have him go to the world juniors.

 

[DragoGrizzly]

Did Cowan penalty kill in the OHL? He's only 19, I don't understand the perspective of nothing to learn in the OHL. Set him up with some goals in terms of the defensive side of the game and have him go to the world juniors.

Yes Cowan was a great penalty killer in the OHL. Led the league with his teammate for shorthanded goals and was the league leader in shorthanded points.

 

[ULF_55]

Actually really liking the idea of Cowan going back to the OHL and trying to play him at Centre for the season and see if he can.

He has nothing left to prove at the Junior level on the Wing, and if could take some reps at centre that could keep him challenged and help the Leafs at Centre, where they are already weak.

Maybe try him on defense.

Maybe he could be the Leafs Makar?

 

[Twine Tickler]

I know Cowan hasn't had the best camp per his expectations, but IMO he is more ready to play NHL games at his current stage than a lot of 19 year old's. He's shown very good speed and strength all camp. Last night was clearly his best game. He's the type of player that I think can carve out a role in our bottom 6 and provide that change of pace that we've missed. He's got the skill that can move up and down the lineup and the ability to play different roles. Even carve out a role on the PK.

I know he's in group 2 right now, so the odds are not in his favor, but I'd love to at the very least give him a 9 game sample. At the very least, he goes back to junior knowing what he needs to work on for the following year. Give him that taste.

I know the cap comes into play with alot of these decisions, but I just can't see any value in Jankrok and Kampf at a combined 4.5AAV over a combo of Lorentz, Holmberg, Cowan and Patches.

Jarny and Kampf just don't move the needle enough on either end of the rink to justify leaving other guys off the roster IMO