justashadowof
Registered User
- Aug 15, 2020
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The name I seldom see discussed: Alex Steeves. He looked the closest to being an NHL regular of the 2021-22 callups. He's going to be a better NHLer than Joey Anderson.
Prospect Info: Marlies/Prospects Thread
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I’m expecting Steeves to push for a roster spot this year. If we can graduate 2 or 3 Marlies that would help. Robertson has to make the team out of camp I would think or else he’s probably going to ask for a trade
kb
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- Aug 28, 2009
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Genuinely curious - why would he ask for a trade? He basically just played his first pro eligible season (if not for Covid). 16G and 28 points in 28 AHL games is very impressive production for a 20 year old.
I think because he already believes he’s an NHL player and judging by some of the articles that were out there this season. Pretty sure he’s had that conversation with Kyle and his agent it sounds like. However, I think it would be more of a move to force his way up as opposed to being unhappy. It’s not uncommon. Either way I think he’s going to make the roster out of camp
kb
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I didn't get that from anything I've read, but like you I do expect him to make a real run at a top-6 spot. He looked much better this season - less time on his butt.
There’s a bunch of articles right around the time he got back from injury around the trade deadline. He addressed potentially being moved and being frustrated that he didn’t make the team and his thoughts on he feels like he’s ready for the NHL. Though he consistently maintained he just wants to earn a call up.
kerk
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- Apr 27, 2009
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you wanna link any of these articles where he talks about potentially being traded?
I’ll take a look back, I think there’s the athletic one. I don’t have a subscription anymore. But I’ll go look for the others around the trade deadline by the end of the night. Again if I recall they just asked him about the rumours. He didn’t say he requested a trade, he mainly talked about wanting to be up in the NHL, felt he could have made the team. But is willing to do whatever it takes to earn a call up.
justashadowof
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BertCorbeau
F*ck cancer - RIP Fugu and Buffaloed
Fun fact:
Jason Robertson played 1 AHL season scoring 25 goals and 47 points in 60 games. He was 20 going into that season.
Nick has scored 21 goals and 23 assists in 49 AHL games over two seasons at age 19 and 20.
We all know what Jason has done since he made his debut.. I'm not going to suggest Nick will be that good that soon, but it's an interesting comparison.
As I said before if Nick has an NHL summer and puts on the required strength, earning a spot in camp ... he deserves some rope.
Could Nick Robertson play in the top six? Should Leafs draft a goalie? Mailbag
Answering subscribers' questions on the Maple Leafs' prospects, goalies, offseason and more in the latest mailbag.
theathletic.com
Do the Leafs really have impact prospects coming up? — Justin M.
I get the sense that “really” is the word Justin wants to lean in on here. I enjoy writing about prospects and what they could become, perhaps because I’m an optimist by nature. But people want to know: Who is going to be a difference-maker and who is going to just fill a roster spot?
Perhaps the first few games of Nick Abruzzese’s NHL career, in which he didn’t make a notable impact on the play shift after shift after consistently being ranked as one of the Leafs’ better prospects, has caused some concern in the fan base. I get it.
I do think, for what it’s worth, that Abruzzese was rushed into NHL games. But nothing anyone can do about that now.
Moving forward: Two players I do believe, based on their recent play, will be much more than bottom-of-the-lineup guys are Matthew Knies and Topi Niemela. The Leafs believe Knies could have been dropped into NHL games last season. I see a second-line player who will eventually be able to score different types of goals. Niemela will take a little longer, based partly on his contract, which prohibits him from playing with the Marlies next season. I see an NHL defenceman in 2023-24 who can confidently get out of his own zone and make the kind of dangerous, creative plays in the offensive zone that will eventually force the coaching staff to push him higher up the lineup.
Are there other prospects who could be NHLers? Sure. Mikko Kokkonen, Roni Hirvonen and Alex Steeves stick out. How far up the lineup they can push remains to be seen.
So all this said, the 2022 NHL draft is in less than a month. The Leafs have to get their first-round pick right and find a player who can contribute sooner rather than later. No small task.
I'd like to see us try a line of Steeves-Holmberg-Anderson in camp. Could potentially be a super annoying line to play against eventually. The dream would be a similar impact to Coleman-Gourde-Goodrow one day.
Agreed, I think a lot of people are taking my trade comment the wrong way. I want him on the leafs. I actually whole heartedly think he should have been on the leafs this year. We needed an offensive 2 LW and he looked decent with Tavares. I’m just inferring that if he can’t crack the line up I potentially see him maybe requesting a move out of pure frustration in terms of wanting an opportunity and belief that he is good enough to play in the NHL. Not because the leafs think he’s not good.
I really do think the Leafs need to give him an extended chance. Much like they gave Liljegren this season. Throw him out there and allow him to figure it out.
613Leafer
Registered User
- May 26, 2008
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Robertson can probably make the jump to the NHL next season, but we certainly had quite a bit of success developing secondary prospects like Brown, Johnsson, Kapanen, Hyman, etc, and generally did so by giving them ~50-100+ AHL games and not bringing them up to the NHL until they were ~21-22+ years old. Robertson is at 48 AHL games, has so far struggled at the NHL level, and is only turning 21 in September.
I think he would ideally get another half or even full season in the AHL before coming up, but obviously our cap situation means we're probably going to have questionable depth up front. So we're likely going to want to roll the dice on Robertson's upside and have a chance at adding a legit quality secondary scoring piece, rather than go with guaranteed mediocre depth.
I think he would ideally get another half or even full season in the AHL before coming up, but obviously our cap situation means we're probably going to have questionable depth up front. So we're likely going to want to roll the dice on Robertson's upside and have a chance at adding a legit quality secondary scoring piece, rather than go with guaranteed mediocre depth.
SprDaVE
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- Sep 20, 2008
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He looked solid with Tavares and Nylander, and away from players like Simmonds, Spezza, etc etc.
I'd gamble with giving him a shot out of camp. This isn't to say I wouldn't demote him if he struggles but I think he's ready to play and I'd make sure he had a good shot in training camp for that reason.
BertCorbeau
F*ck cancer - RIP Fugu and Buffaloed
Honesty I would try him with Matthews and Marner as well.. those two are at the stage where they should be able to help carry and insulate a young player like Robertson’s and help his development.
Robertson will be completely fine. Anyone questioning his ability to read/process the NHL game based on limited minutes with replacement level players should go back and read some of the takes about Liljegren before this season. People thought he’d outright bust and looked overwhelmed. High IQ players can still look completely lost for stretches before the pace clicks in their head.
I don’t think a lot of posters realize his potential. He has a 35-40 goal shot. This is not a Kapanen/Johnsson/Brown. Go back to his international resume. He usually started in lower roles and once he was tried with high IQ offensive players, he elevated every line. He is close to emerging and the final product will be scary.
I don’t think a lot of posters realize his potential. He has a 35-40 goal shot. This is not a Kapanen/Johnsson/Brown. Go back to his international resume. He usually started in lower roles and once he was tried with high IQ offensive players, he elevated every line. He is close to emerging and the final product will be scary.
LeafChief
Matthew Knies Enthusiast
I hope they do this but I hope they give him some rope. Let him make some mistakes. Don't demote him at the first sign of trouble.
He's a very good player and if they give him the chance, I believe it will pay dividends.
Apex Predator
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- Jun 21, 2019
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Alex Steves will probably be the new Trevor Moore. Busts his ass and looks good in the bottom 6 when he plays. Will eventually be used in a trade to help for the playoffs.
Found this funny where he raves about a bunch of guys drafted outside the first round, one that was ready to play in the NHL in his D+1, then says we need to hit on our first and have them playing soon.
I think we could have a couple of bottom 6 RW spots available with Kase and Simmonds likely gone and Steeves and Anderson will be in the mix for those spots
LeafChief
Matthew Knies Enthusiast
I really like Steeves. Not so sold on Anderson.
I watched a lot of Marlies this year. Steeves is very skilled and very fast. He also has a bit of a mean streak. He didn't really get to show any of that in his brief time with the Leafs.
I fear Anderson might be a bit too slow for the NHL. I hope that he works on his speed this summer. I said it at the time and people did not agree but I would have much rather taken the reportedly offered 2nd round pick for Johnsson over taking Anderson. I get the thought process but I just don't see a successful long time NHL player with Anderson. I very much hope that I am wrong.
SprDaVE
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- Sep 20, 2008
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Anderson definitely has a bad stride which isn't efficient but he's a smart player and plays with energy and underrated skill around the net. I think he's almost a lock for next season. I don't think he'll be much more than a depth player but definitely should be a player to use.
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