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Prospect Info: Marlies/Prospects Thread - The AHL is up and prospects are in play

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Detroit Red Wings' blue chippers, Montreal Canadiens' Cole Caufield headline Top 75 prospects list - TSN.ca

On the team side, the Toronto Maple Leafs lead all Canadian franchises with five players in the Top 75 – defenceman Rasmus Sandin (No. 14), forwards Nick Robertson (No. 18), Rodion Amirov (No. 57) and Nicholas Abruzzese (No. 67) and defenceman Topi Niemela (No. 73).

There's plenty to like in the Leafs' system, with Sandin and Niemela named the best defencemen at the 2020 and 2021 World Juniors respectively, Robertson leading the OHL in goal scoring last season, and Abruzzese leading NCAA freshman scoring last year.
 
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hockeywiz542 said:
Detroit Red Wings' blue chippers, Montreal Canadiens' Cole Caufield headline Top 75 prospects list - TSN.ca

On the team side, the Toronto Maple Leafs lead all Canadian franchises with five players in the Top 75 – defenceman Rasmus Sandin (No. 14), forwards Nick Robertson (No. 18), Rodion Amirov (No. 57) and Nicholas Abruzzese (No. 67) and defenceman Topi Niemela (No. 73).

There's plenty to like in the Leafs' system, with Sandin and Niemela named the best defencemen at the 2020 and 2021 World Juniors respectively, Robertson leading the OHL in goal scoring last season, and Abruzzese leading NCAA freshman scoring last year.
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I read that this morning. It's nice to have 5 guys in the top 75, but it feels strange to me, that Abruzzese and Niemala are ranked above Liljegren.
 
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I posted this in the Amirov thread on the main board. Not sure how likely all these prospects are to coming over next year but the Marlies could look really strong. Possible group like this:

Amirov SDA Anderson
Hallander Brooks Abruzzese
Abramov Hirvonen Steeves
Holmberg

Even without Sandin and Lilly they should have a strong D group as well with

Hoefenmeyer
Duszak
Hollowell
Kral
Rubins
Villeneuve

Woll and Scott in net
 
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Twine Tickler said:
If Rodian Amirov signing with the Leafs after his season ends are true, I am assuming the contract will start next year? which would mean he would need to sign an ATO to play with the Marlies this year. Does anyone know what would be the advantage for Rodian to come play? he obviously would not be making money on an ATO correct? I guess the only advantage would be exposure and personal growth for himself. That would be a lot of hockey for him in a single season. Between KHL, MHL and international he has already played 63 games this year. Might be a tall ask to play with the Marlies for the remainder of the year and playoffs should they make it. Especially if he wouldn't be getting paid lol He'd have to have Robertson level drive to want to play that much puck
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He would get to adjust to NA before starting the season with the Marlies next year and probably start a stronger development path under just the Leafs staff and supervision. SDA is there so he would have another younger Russian to hang out with and translate through. Maybe Amirov wants to get a start on working on his English. Lots of benefits even if he mostly just practices with the Marlies and gets a game here or there.
 
Isaac Nootin said:
Look no further than the source, Craig Button. He's an idiot.
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Ya Button has been writing Lilly off since he's been drafted by the Leafs. Not really sure why. He's not like Hayes where he forms an opinion without even watching him. He has spoken highly of other Leaf prospects like Niemela and Abruzzese but for some reason doesnt like Lilly even though he has done nothing but improve every year and has been a top performer at both ends of the rink in the AHL.
 
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Twine Tickler said:
It is a complete stretch, but I wonder if SDA and Robby could be the framework of our 3rd line next year. Obviously this would not be a line that would necessarily be used as a matchup checking line . This would be used as a tertiary scoring line, that could really cause trouble down the lineup. Not to mention their ELC contracts would come in really nice. It would allow us to move on from Kerfoot, and if we also move on from Freddy we could move some pieces around to make a play for Forsberg, even while giving Hyman a raise. SDA looks surprisingly stronger on the puck than i was expecting, and far more NHL ready than I ever thought he'd be. Its only been 2 games w/ the Marlies, but he also had a very strong season in the KHL. Our window technically is now. But it really is open until when Matthews contract expires. Having SDA in the fold on an ELC would go a long way into freeing up some capital to use elsewhere. Here is what our top 9 could look like:

Forsberg - Matthews - Marner
Galchenyuk - JT - Willy
Robertson - SDA - Hyman

again, this is all in fun. But I have truly been encouraged by SDA's development, and I have been on the record saying I am not overly high on this player in the past
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Absolutely not!

SDA should be slated to spend all next year with the Marlies.

How did he have a strong season in the KHL? He's supposed to be an offensive player but has very underwhelming numbers. His OHL numbers were also underwhelming when you're talking about a prospect who's calling card is his offensive ability.

I'll be surprised if SDA ever becomes an NHLer personally. I'm far more optimistic about Abramov, Abruzzese. and Hallander.
 
Ricky Bobby said:
Absolutely not!

SDA should be slated to spend all next year with the Marlies.

How did he have a strong season in the KHL? He's supposed to be an offensive player but has very underwhelming numbers. His OHL numbers were also underwhelming when you're talking about a prospect who's calling card is his offensive ability.

I'll be surprised if SDA ever becomes an NHLer personally. I'm far more optimistic about Abramov, Abruzzese. and Hallander.
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I wouldn't use KHL stats too much to judge a lot of young prospects. Many, especially those who are going to NA, aren't going to get the favourable ice time, or linemates that they need. Don't get me wrong, I think SDA is a bit of a longshot too, but I think it makes more sense to judge what he does with the Marlies, than what he did in the KHL. He's had a nice start with the Marlies, but it's such a small sample set, that it would be wise not to draw conclusions from that either. He's going to put up a lot of assists, and needs to play with a guy like Robertson, a trigger guy. If he didn't have a pure shooter on his like in the KHL, he wasn't going to do well. If SDA and Robertson are together for a full season in the AHL next year, they are going to put up a lot of points. Gogolev could end up playing with them next year too, and he had been on a line with SDA on the Petes previouisly. To what degree that is NHL translatable, who knows... and then, even if he can be a decent setup guy in the NHL, is there room for another smaller skill guy anyway? I think you hope that he hits, so that we can move him, to address areas of need, from areas of strength. Just massively put him in a position to succeed in the AHL, so that he becomes in demand from other franchises.
 
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acrobaticgoalie said:
Ya Button has been writing Lilly off since he's been drafted by the Leafs. Not really sure why. He's not like Hayes where he forms an opinion without even watching him. He has spoken highly of other Leaf prospects like Niemela and Abruzzese but for some reason doesnt like Lilly even though he has done nothing but improve every year and has been a top performer at both ends of the rink in the AHL.
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He's this grouping's Kapanen. Similar quality of prospect, similar AHL performance. But Button doesn't watch the A and puts next to no weight based on AHL accomplishments
 
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acrobaticgoalie said:
I posted this in the Amirov thread on the main board. Not sure how likely all these prospects are to coming over next year but the Marlies could look really strong. Possible group like this:

Amirov SDA Anderson
Hallander Brooks Abruzzese
Abramov Hirvonen Steeves
Holmberg

Even without Sandin and Lilly they should have a strong D group as well with

Hoefenmeyer
Duszak
Hollowell
Kral
Rubins
Villeneuve

Woll and Scott in net
Click to expand...

Whats the case for including Hirvonen but not prospects like niemela or kokkonen? Are they on contract in europe through next season or you think they just arent ready?
 
Ricky Bobby said:
Absolutely not!

SDA should be slated to spend all next year with the Marlies.

How did he have a strong season in the KHL? He's supposed to be an offensive player but has very underwhelming numbers. His OHL numbers were also underwhelming when you're talking about a prospect who's calling card is his offensive ability.

I'll be surprised if SDA ever becomes an NHLer personally. I'm far more optimistic about Abramov, Abruzzese. and Hallander.
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Using his stat line in the KHL is a flawed way to evaluate how he did.
 
Ricky Bobby said:
Absolutely not!

SDA should be slated to spend all next year with the Marlies.

How did he have a strong season in the KHL? He's supposed to be an offensive player but has very underwhelming numbers. His OHL numbers were also underwhelming when you're talking about a prospect who's calling card is his offensive ability.

I'll be surprised if SDA ever becomes an NHLer personally. I'm far more optimistic about Abramov, Abruzzese. and Hallander.
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SDA looked really good the game watched last wk .
 
4thline said:
He's this grouping's Kapanen. Similar quality of prospect, similar AHL performance. But Button doesn't watch the A and puts next to no weight based on AHL accomplishments
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Kapanen has grown into a legitimate top 6 forward in Pittsburgh, so that’s a decent projection.
 
TheGoldenJet said:
Kapanen has grown into a legitimate top 6 forward in Pittsburgh, so that’s a decent projection.
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He's had an elevated shooting % this year and averages almost 20% more offensive zone starts than he did last year.

He's basically the same player just with more offensive usage and a little more luck.

Liljegren has a higher ceiling than a middle 6 forward.
 
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LeafsOHLRangers98 said:
He's had an elevated shooting % this year and averages almost 20% more offensive zone starts than he did last year.

He's basically the same player just with more offensive usage and a little more luck.

Liljegren has a higher ceiling than a middle 6 forward.
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Kapanen is getting more usage because he’s earned it. He started on the fourth line in Pittsburgh after missing training camp.

I agree Liljegren has a higher ceiling (despite his gross mishandling this year), but being the equivalent of a solid top 6 forward like Kapanen would still be a good end point.
 
BoredBrandonPridham said:
Whats the case for including Hirvonen but not prospects like niemela or kokkonen? Are they on contract in europe through next season or you think they just arent ready?
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I'm not sure what Kokkonen's situation is but I thought Niemela already signed at extension with Karpat. I could be wrong. Plus I figured he is already playing top pairing in a pro men's league so might as well let him continue there seeing as he's only 19
 
Fogelhund said:
I wouldn't use KHL stats too much to judge a lot of young prospects. Many, especially those who are going to NA, aren't going to get the favourable ice time, or linemates that they need. Don't get me wrong, I think SDA is a bit of a longshot too, but I think it makes more sense to judge what he does with the Marlies, than what he did in the KHL. He's had a nice start with the Marlies, but it's such a small sample set, that it would be wise not to draw conclusions from that either. He's going to put up a lot of assists, and needs to play with a guy like Robertson, a trigger guy. If he didn't have a pure shooter on his like in the KHL, he wasn't going to do well. If SDA and Robertson are together for a full season in the AHL next year, they are going to put up a lot of points. Gogolev could end up playing with them next year too, and he had been on a line with SDA on the Petes previouisly. To what degree that is NHL translatable, who knows... and then, even if he can be a decent setup guy in the NHL, is there room for another smaller skill guy anyway? I think you hope that he hits, so that we can move him, to address areas of need, from areas of strength. Just massively put him in a position to succeed in the AHL, so that he becomes in demand from other franchises.
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I completely agree with you.

But what was the OP basing his KHL success on? It certainly can't be the stats. At the OHL level his high of 12 goals sure isn't encouraging.

It's encouraging he has started well with the Marlies but like ya said very small sample size.

Anyways, definitely not a guy who should be slated to be our 3rd line C next year. Slot him in as a guy to get lots of opportunity with the Marlies next year and hope his game evolves so that he can fill an NHL one day. If his game doesn't significantly evolve to kill penalties, be pesky, amazing on faceoffs, etc. He won't have an NHL role much much like Petan & Bracco both of whom had stronger resumes at the same age.
 
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