Prospects and Marlies Thread: Post Season and Off-Season

[Dragao6]

6

How has Kapanen looked

Dominant....very much like nylander last year. Hes so fast and great with the puck but he also has a mean streak.....fiesty...if anyone is making the big boys this kid is it
Hard to ignore when hes on the ice

 

[MoreMogilny]

I think AJ could be a left wing version of Brown .. Good motor, good 200 ft game, can kill penalties and score.

He can do everything. I love the way he handles the puck and his instincts both with and without it. Could become a solid middle six producer down the line. Every single time I see him, I come away impressed.

 

[saltming]

I think AJ could be a left wing version of Brown .. Good motor, good 200 ft game, can kill penalties and score.

That's a good comparison. AJ is a bit younger a bit shorter a bit heavier a bit faster with a bit better shot!
AJ Nylander Kapanen as a future line could be very good.

 

[Stigma]

He is a pretty versatile player, he was solid on defense. I will probably get screamed at for this but I would much prefer having Greening in Martin's spot on the fourth line, he brings so much more to the table.

He also looked pretty good with the Leafs last spring. In fact, many of us armchair coaches had him penciled into the line-up last September.

He's been a good soldier and deserves another shot at the NHL. I'm hoping he gets traded in the off-season if there's no future for him here (which, unfortunately, is probably the case).

 

[Anthrax442]

He also looked pretty good with the Leafs last spring. In fact, many of us armchair coaches had him penciled into the line-up last September.

He's been a good soldier and deserves another shot at the NHL. I'm hoping he gets traded in the off-season if there's no future for him here (which, unfortunately, is probably the case).

He is a free agent

 

[SprDaVE]

I think AJ could be a left wing version of Brown .. Good motor, good 200 ft game, can kill penalties and score.

He's a legit NHL prospect, 100%. It might take another year to see him in the NHL but he's got all the tools to be a really good secondary scorer for us.

Like you said, he's very much like a Brown.. Might not be as good 2-way as Brown and I don't think you'll see Johnson be used in a PK role but he's a little more skilled and a better PP option.

 

[saltming]

He's a legit NHL prospect, 100%. It might take another year to see him in the NHL but he's got all the tools to be a really good secondary scorer for us.

Like you said, he's very much like a Brown.. Might not be as good 2-way as Brown and I don't think you'll see Johnson be used in a PK role but he's a little more skilled and a better PP option.

I have to say he is pretty good defensively, surprisingly so. Very smart on both sides of the puck. Also right now Keefe uses him on the pk and he excels there, very hyman-esque

 

[Barilko14]

That's a good comparison. AJ is a bit younger a bit shorter a bit heavier a bit faster with a bit better shot!
AJ Nylander Kapanen as a future line could be very good.

Those 3 could be a good combo

2 years from now? Good combo of offence and defence on each line. If Marner can handle being on the matchup line with Kadri, then we could have each of the big 3 carrying their own line and creating major matchup problems for opponents.

Leivo/Rychel--Matthews--Brown/Marner
Johnsson--Nylander--Kapanen
Grundstrom--Kadri--Marner/Brown
Martin--Gauthier--Hyman

Korshkov would really be the guy that could make this a truly great forward lineup. If he's able to play his natural side (most reports say he's played mostly RW) then he would fit perfectly on that top line at LW. If he hits his potential.

 

[Jeypic]

I have to say he is pretty good defensively, surprisingly so. Very smart on both sides of the puck. Also right now Keefe uses him on the pk and he excels there, very hyman-esque

He needs to be.. I see him running into the same problem leivo and leipsic are in right now. Scoring winger who's less talented then the scoring wingers already with the team.

If he wants to make it, at least on the leafs, he's gotta be aiming for spots filled by guys like komarov, Hyman, brown, sosh. They all play the Pk too.

Personally I think he ends up traded before he stirs up enough buzz to be a big enough upgrade over those guys to warrant a change in the lineup.

 

[Unhealthy Scratch]

He needs to be.. I see him running into the same problem leivo and leipsic are in right now. Scoring winger who's less talented then the scoring wingers already with the team.

If he wants to make it, at least on the leafs, he's gotta be aiming for spots filled by guys like komarov, Hyman, brown, sosh. They all play the Pk too.

Personally I think he ends up traded before he stirs up enough buzz to be a big enough upgrade over those guys to warrant a change in the lineup.

JVR isn't likely to be here past next year's trade deadline (or maybe even this summer), and most are expecting Nylander to move to center and replace Bozak next season, opening up another spot at wing.

I agree we could see a winger or two included in a trade, but eight spots between Hyman, Soshnikov, Brown, Leivo, Martin, Leipsic, Kapanen, Rychel and Johnsson won't be that tight of a fit if/until guys like Grundstrom, Korshkov, Timashov, Bracco, Lindberg, etc. develop into NHLers, or if we sign a Shipachyov or Dadonov type FA.

 

[saltming]

He needs to be.. I see him running into the same problem leivo and leipsic are in right now. Scoring winger who's less talented then the scoring wingers already with the team.

If he wants to make it, at least on the leafs, he's gotta be aiming for spots filled by guys like komarov, Hyman, brown, sosh. They all play the Pk too.

Personally I think he ends up traded before he stirs up enough buzz to be a big enough upgrade over those guys to warrant a change in the lineup.

I think he could turn out better than leivo. Their shot is about equal but AJ skates better and is faster. I like Leipsic a lot but Johnsson just seems to play a better game all around. Has better vision, passes better and is probably a faster skater too.
It might take another year for him but I'm not counting him out of anything yet. Also this management doesn't seem to be rushing to sell anything yet. I doubt next year will be different. Maybe once we are a serious contender we will start trading pieces by I think they will stand pat on prospects for as long as they can.

 

[nuck]

I think he could turn out better than leivo. Their shot is about equal but AJ skates better and is faster. I like Leipsic a lot but Johnsson just seems to play a better game all around. Has better vision, passes better and is probably a faster skater too.
It might take another year for him but I'm not counting him out of anything yet. Also this management doesn't seem to be rushing to sell anything yet. I doubt next year will be different. Maybe once we are a serious contender we will start trading pieces by I think they will stand pat on prospects for as long as they can.

He does have better skills but the Leafs are a smallish club and guys like Leivo and Rychel may have an advantage finding a spot to play. AJ could be the type of player that is dealt to LV for one of their X draft defensemen. I think Vegas will end up with some young(ish) D prospects who could be good enough to push for a spot in the Leafs 4-5-6 positions and there is a need. He has an upside that a building club is not going to necessarily find unprotected in the draft.

 

[SEER]

GAME RECAP




AHL LIVE GAME SHEET) ---> http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary/1016886
------------------------------------------

Scoring
1st
1:13 TOR Colin Greening (10) ASST: Kasperi Kapanen (25), Rinat Valiev (8)
2nd
No Scoring
3rd
6:22 TOR Steve Oleksy (3) ASST: Colin Greening (13), Mike Sislo (22)
8:53 TOR Sergey Kalinin (1) ASST: Andreas Johnsson (24), Steve Oleksy (7)
17:39 TOR Brendan Leipsic (13) ASST: Colin Greening (14) (EN)

Penalties
1st
07:01 TOR Andreas Johnsson, Interference, 2 min PP
17:11 SYR Erik Condra, Hooking, 2 min PP
19:56 SYR Ben Thomas, Interference, 2 min PP
2nd
06:24 SYR Adam Comrie, Hooking, 2 min PP
12:12 TOR Cal O'Reilly, Cross-checking, 2 min PP
15:06 TOR Seth Griffith, Boarding, 2 min PP
15:57 SYR Tye McGinn, Roughing, 2 min
15:57 SYR Matt Taormina, Hooking, 2 min
15:57 TOR Kasperi Kapanen, Roughing, 2 min
15:57 TOR Steve Oleksy, Roughing, 2 min
17:49 SYR Michael Bournival, Roughing, 2 min
17:49 SYR Erik Condra, Fighting, 5 min
17:49 TOR Andrew Nielsen, Roughing, 2 min
17:49 TOR Kerby Rychel, Unsportsmanlike conduct, 2 min PP
17:49 TOR Kerby Rychel, Fighting, 5 min
19:28 TOR Travis Dermott, Clipping, 2 min PP
3rd
10:45 SYR Mike Halmo, Misconduct - Continuing altercation, 10 min
10:45 SYR John Kurtz, Game misconduct - Third man in, 10 min
10:45 SYR Dominik Masin, Fighting, 5 min
10:45 SYR Dominik Masin, Game misconduct - Secondary altercation, 10 min
10:45 SYR Jonathan Racine, Instigating, 2 min PP
10:45 SYR Jonathan Racine, Fighting, 5 min
10:45 SYR Jonathan Racine, Misconduct - Instigating, 10 min
10:45 TOR Travis Dermott, Fighting, 5 min
10:45 TOR Travis Dermott, Game misconduct - Secondary altercation, 10 min
10:45 TOR Steve Oleksy, Fighting, 5 min
18:34 SYR Henri Ikonen, Slashing, 2 min PP

*Shots On Goal: 28-26.., Marlies..

 

[SEER]

Game Highlights: Syracuse Crunch at Toronto Marlies - March 26, 2017



Marlies Post-Game: Sheldon Keefe - March 26, 2017



Marlies Post-Game: Garret Sparks - March 26, 2017



Marlies Post-Game: Seth Griffith - March 26, 2017



------------------------------

Rinat Valiev with Leafs TV - March 26th, 2017

 

[saltming]

He does have better skills but the Leafs are a smallish club and guys like Leivo and Rychel may have an advantage finding a spot to play. AJ could be the type of player that is dealt to LV for one of their X draft defensemen. I think Vegas will end up with some young(ish) D prospects who could be good enough to push for a spot in the Leafs 4-5-6 positions and there is a need. He has an upside that a building club is not going to necessarily find unprotected in the draft.

He is small but at the same time he's heavier than brown and while a trade for him is absolutely a possibility I just think the patience motto will come into play here.
As for getting a young defender that could challenge for the 4, 5 or 6 spot, we have Dermott that looks very much like he will be doing that next year.

 

[SEER]

2016-17 MAPLE LEAFS PROSPECTS STATS. (*NON-MARLIES)

(*Updated: Monday, March 27th 2017 - 10:20 A.M.)

* = Team that the player is currently playing with (this past week..)

PLAYER / POSITION / TEAM / LEAGUE / DRAFT INFO. | GAMES | GOALS | ASSISTS | POINTS | +/- | G.P.G. | STATUS
1.) Adam Brooks (C) - Regina Pats - WHL (Drafted: Round 4 /#92 - 2016)|66|43|87|130|+43|*PPG+
................................. * 2017 WHL PLAYOFFS |2|3|2|5|+2|* 2 PPG+
.................................. Total: |68| 46 | 89 | 135 | +45 | *PPG+ | in P/O
2.) Jeremy Bracco (RW) - Kitchener Rangers - OHL (Drafted: Round 2 /#61 - 2015)|27|17|34|51|+13|*PPG+
................................. * Windsor Spitfires - OHL|30|8|24|32|-2|*PPG+
................................. * 2017 OHL PLAYOFFS |2|0|0|0|-3|
.................................. Total: | 59|25|58| 83 |+10 | *PPG+ | in P/O
3.) Jack Walker (RW) - Victoria Royals - WHL (Drafted: Round 6 /#152 - 2016)|70|31|41|72|+17|*PPG+
................................. * 2017 WHL PLAYOFFS |2|2|2|4| . 0|* 2 PPG
.................................. Total : |72|33|43| 76| +17| *PPG+ | in P/O
4.) J.J. Piccinich (LW) - London Knights - OHL (Drafted: Round 4 /#103 - 2014)|66 |26|46|76| +19| *PPG+
................................. * 2017 OHL PLAYOFFS |2|0|1|1|+1|
.................................. Total : |68 |26|47| 73| +19| *PPG+ | in P/O
5.) Nikita Korostelev (RW) - Sarnia Sting - OHL (Drafted: Round 7 /#185 - 2015)|31|17|18|35|-7| *PPG+
.................................... * Peterborough Petes - OHL |24|12|17|29|+1 |*PPG+
................................. * 2017 OHL PLAYOFFS |2|1|1|2| . 0|*PPG
................................... Total:| 57|30|36| 66| -3| *PPG+ | in P/O
6.) Carl Grundstrom (RW) - Frolunda HC -SHL (Drafted: Round 2 /#57 - 2016)|45|14|6|20|+6
.................................... - Team Sweden - International Jr. (All)|15|11| 8| 19 |+10 |*PPG+
.................................... - Team Sweden U-20 - WJC-U20|7|3|4|7|+5|*PPG+
.................................... - Frolunda HC - Champions HL|13| 4 |4|8 | .. 0
.................................... * 2017 SHL PLAYOFFS|5| 1 |1|2 | .. -1
..................................... Total:| 85| 33|25| 56 |+9|| in P/O
7.) Martins Dzierkals (RW) * Rouyn-Nor. Huskies - QMJHL (Drafted: Round 3 /#68 - 2015)|47|21|28|49|+26|*PPG+
..................................... - Team Latvia (International/ WJC & OGQ Leagues - 3 Comb. ) |10|2|2| 4| +2
................................. * 2017 QMJHL PLAYOFFS |2|0|2|2|+1|*PPG
..................................... Total:| 59|22| 32| 55| +27|| in P/O
8.) Stephen Desrocher (D) - Kingston Frontenacs - OHL (Drafted: Round 6 /#155 - 2015)|65|12|39|51| +1
................................. * 2017 OHL PLAYOFFS |2|1|0|1|-2|
..................................... Total: |67|13|39| 52| +1|| in P/O
9.) Miro Aaltonen (C/W) - Vityaz Podolsk - KHL (* Free Agent Signing - 2017)|59|19|25|44|-4
...................................... - Team Finland - EHT |6|6|1|7|-2|*PPG+
...................................... * 2017 KHL PLAYOFFS|4|0|0|0| . -1
..................................... Total: |69|25|26| 51 | . -2|| in P/O
10.) Pierre Engvall (LW) - Mora IK - Swe-1 (Drafted: Round 7 /#188 - 2014)|50|21|19|40| +4
..................................... * 2017 QUALIFICATION ROUND |6|3|3|6 | .. +1|*PPG
..................................... Total:| 56|24| 22| 46| +4|| in P/O
11.) Nikolai Chebykin (LW) - Dynamo Moskva - KHL (Drafted: Round 8 /#182 - 2016)|8 |1|0 |1|+2
...................................... - Dynamo Balashikha - VHL|24|5|3|8|-7
...................................... - 2017 KHL PLAYOFFS|1|0|0|0| .. 0 |
...................................... * 2017 VHL PLAYOFFS|8|3|5|8|+4 |*PPG
...................................... - HK MVD Balashikha - MHL|17|17|10|27|+17 |*PPG+
...................................... Total:| 58|26|18 | 44| +16|| in P/O
12.) Vladimir Bobylev (LW) - Moscow Spartak - KHL ( Drafted: Round 5 /#122 - 2016)|20|1|2 |3 |+1
...................................... - Khimik Voskresensk - VHL|3 |1 |1 |2 |+1
...................................... - Victoria Royals - WHL|38|9|27 |36 |+16 |
................................. * 2017 WHL PLAYOFFS |2|1|0|1|+1|
...................................... Total:| 63|12 |30 | 42| +19|| in P/O
13.) Jesper Lindgren (D) - MODO Hockey J20 - SuperElit (Drafted: Round 4 /#95 - 2015)|7 |1| 9 |10 |+9
..................................... * 2017 J20 Super Elite PLAYOFFS |4 |1| 3 |4 | . 0|*PPG
................................... - MODO Hockey - Allsvenskan |50 |3 |21 |24|-5
................................... - Team Sweden U-20 - International Jr. |5 |0 |0 | 0|-1
................................... Total:| 66|5 |33 | 38 |+8|| in P/O
14.) Dakota Joshua (F) * Ohio State University - Big-10 (Drafted: Round 5 /#128 - 2014)|33|12 |23 | 35| +5 | *PPG+ | in P/O
15.) Fabrice Herzog (RW) - Zurich SC Lions -Swiss-A (Drafted: Round 5 /#142 - 2013)|44 |9 |11|20 |+10
..................................... - Team Switzerland - International|1 |1 |0 |1 | .. 0|*PPG
.................................... - ZSC Lions - Champions HL|10 |2| 0|2 | +2
.................................... - ZSC Lions - 2017 Swiss Cup|2 |1 | 0 |1 | .. 6
.................................... * 2016 NLA PLAYOFFS|6 |2 | 1 |3 |+1
.................................... Total:| 63|15|12| 27| +11|| in P/O
16.) Nolan Vesey (F) - Univ. of Maine - H-East (Drafted: Round 6 /#158 - 2014)|36 |13 |10 | 27| -8|| DONE
17.) Dominic Toninato (F) * Univ. of Minn.-Duluth - NCHC (Drafted: Round 5 /#126 - 2012)|40| 16 |12 | 28| +24|| IN S/F
18.) Yegor Korshkov (RW) - Lokomotiv Yaroslavl- KHL (Drafted: Round 2 /#31 - 2016)|36| 6 |13 |19|+2
..................................... - Team Russia - EHT|3 |0 |0 |0 | .. 0
..................................... - Loko Yaroslavl - MHL|2 |0 |0 |0 | .. 1
.................................... * 2017 KHL PLAYOFFS|13 |1 |2 |3 | .. 0
..................................... Total:| 54| 7|15| 22 | +3|| in P/O
19.) Keaton Middleton (D) - Saginaw Spirit - OHL (Drafted: Round 4 /#101 - 2016)|64 |4 |14 | 18 | +8|| DONE
20.) Nicolas Mattinen (D) - London Knights - OHL ( Drafted: Round 6 /#179 - 2016)|66 |2 |6 |8| +13
................................. * 2017 OHL PLAYOFFS |2|0|0|0| . 0|
..................................... Total: |68 |2 |6 | 8| +13|| in P/O
21.) J.D. Greenway (D) - Univ. of Wisconsin - Big-10 ( Drafted: Round 3 /#72 - 2016)|34 |1| 6 | 7| -4|| DONE

GOALIES

NAME / TEAM / LEAGUE / DRAFT INFO.| GAMES |WINS|LOSSES|TIES|SHUT-OUTS|SV %|G.A.A. | STATUS
22.) Joseph Woll - * Boston College - H-East (Drafted: Round 3 /#62 - 2016)|34 |17|13 |3 | *1 | .913| 2.64| DONE ......................... - 2016-17 Team USA U20 - WJC U-20|2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .934| 1.50
23.) Kasimir Kaskisuo - Orlando Solar Bears - ECHL (*Free Agent Signing)|32|14 |11 |2 | *1 | .899| 3.45
......................... * 2016-17 Toronto Marlies - AHL|3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | *1 | .955| 1.34

2016-17 MARLIES STATS.

TOP 12 MARLIES Pointmakers

PLAYER/POSITION.......... | GAMES |GOALS |ASSISTS|POINTS|+/-| .......
1.) Cal O'Reilly (C)|54|9| 39 | 48 |+2
2.) Kerby Rychel (LW)| 65|17|30|47|-9
3.) Andreas Johnsson (LW)| 67 | 20 |24|44| +8
4.) Kasperi Kapanen (RW)|43|18|25|43|+2|
5.) Brendan Leipsic (RW)|41|13|30|43|+5| *PPG+
6.) Andrew Nielsen (D)|66|13|24|37| +8
7.) Seth Griffith (RW)|30|8|29|37| +8 | *PPG+
8.) Mike Sislo (LW)|65|12|22|34|-9 | *PPG+/M
9.) Trevor Moore (RW)|49|12|17|29|+7
10.) Dmytro Timashov (LW)|54|11|12|23|-2
11.) Travis Dermott (D)|53|5|18|23|+7
12.) Brett Findlay (C)|28|10|11|21| +8
Andrew Campbell (D)* Best +/- On Team | 67 |5|15|20| +19 | "CAPTAIN"

GOALIES

........................... | GAMES | WINS | LOSSES | SOL | SHUT-OUTS | SV% | G.A.A.
Garrett Sparks|26|18|7|0| *5 | .927 |2.08
Antoine Bibeau |32|13|14|1 | *3 | .894 |3.08
Kasimir Kaskisuo |3|3|0|0 | *1 | .955 |1.34
X J.P. Anderson |1 |0|1|0 |*0 | .857 |4.50
X Jeff Glass |2 |1|1|0 |*0 | .917 |2.05

More Marlies Player stats. --> http://www.marlies.ca/team/IndividualStatistics.asp

MARLIES PRESENT STANDINGS:

1st in the North Division...
6th in the Eastern Conference...
12th in the League...

AHL STANDINGS LINK --> http://theahl.com/team-stats?standi...4&sortKey=percentage&league=4&league_code=ahl

..please let me know, if you see that I am missing any players on the above lists.. and/or any mistakes... Thanks..
​

 

[SEER]

 

[SEER]

 

[Number13]

Anyone see the brawl against Syracuse? What caused it? How'd the boys fare?

 

[Stigma]

He is a free agent

Totally forgot.

 

[Hotlanta]

AJ is listed as a LH RW
Lindberg as a LH RW
Leipsic as a LH LW
Rychel as a LH LW
Leivo was a RH LW

Are these all accurate, Leivo is now playing RW on the Leafs when he is in, and I'm pretty sure AJ is now on the LW. Is everyone else correct? Just trying to figure out our LW depth since the Leafs have Nylander, Marner, Kapanen, Brown, Leivo up the RW, but only JVR, Komarov, Hyman, Martin on the LW. If JVR goes, it would be nice to know we have LH LW depth.

 

[Barilko14]

AJ is listed as a LH RW
Lindberg as a LH RW
Leipsic as a LH LW
Rychel as a LH LW
Leivo was a RH LW

Are these all accurate, Leivo is now playing RW on the Leafs when he is in, and I'm pretty sure AJ is now on the LW. Is everyone else correct? Just trying to figure out our LW depth since the Leafs have Nylander, Marner, Kapanen, Brown, Leivo up the RW, but only JVR, Komarov, Hyman, Martin on the LW. If JVR goes, it would be nice to know we have LH LW depth.

As far as I know every one of those guys is a LW. Johnsson and Lindberg were flipped to RW earlier this season, due to the amount of LW we had on the Marlies to start the year compared to limited RW depth. Since injuries started Johnsson moved to his natural spot on LW.

Leivo played LW in junior, and mostly on the Marlies, but can obviously play either side going forward.

 

[nuck]

He is small but at the same time he's heavier than brown and while a trade for him is absolutely a possibility I just think the patience motto will come into play here.
As for getting a young defender that could challenge for the 4, 5 or 6 spot, we have Dermott that looks very much like he will be doing that next year.

He isn't soft but they lack net presence and the ability to project any kind of a physical game. For this reason I think Leivo or Rychel will be ahead of him. I guess AJ could force Brown farther down the lineup. It will be interesting to see if Brown can build off this season and bring a more dynamic game next year. His 22 year old season is similar to Bozak at 24, but he doesn't skate nearly as well.

They probably need three Dermotts next year. Carrick needs to be pushed and he needs to ramp up his game because he is far from a legit #4, and the guys below him don't look like they have much potential to improve. They need the same kind of competition at defense that they have with those young forwards until someone grabs that second pairing role and holds onto it. I hoped to see more from Valiev. I think he might show something more at a higher level although I sort of think his top end might be a 6-7 guy.

 

[burpsalot]

Anyone see the brawl against Syracuse? What caused it? How'd the boys fare?

Not really a brawl in my books, more of a scrum X 3 times. First started after Kapanen was tripped & a few of the Syracuse players tried to add a few facepalms & cheap shots. Kapanen & the rest of the Marlies came back at them. 2nd scrum was more retribution from the Marlies of the 1st scrum & 3rd was Syracuse being upset that Olesky nailed one of their guys.

 

[saltming]

He isn't soft but they lack net presence and the ability to project any kind of a physical game. For this reason I think Leivo or Rychel will be ahead of him. I guess AJ could force Brown farther down the lineup. It will be interesting to see if Brown can build off this season and bring a more dynamic game next year. His 22 year old season is similar to Bozak at 24, but he doesn't skate nearly as well.

They probably need three Dermotts next year. Carrick needs to be pushed and he needs to ramp up his game because he is far from a legit #4, and the guys below him don't look like they have much potential to improve. They need the same kind of competition at defense that they have with those young forwards until someone grabs that second pairing role and holds onto it. I hoped to see more from Valiev. I think he might show something more at a higher level although I sort of think his top end might be a 6-7 guy.

It will be interesting to see how they handle it. One factor heavily in Rychel's favor is that he needs waivers next year. This could also mean they trade him? I hope he at least gets a look to see if he can bring his game to the nhl level.

I hope that Dermott could work his way up the line up. Atm we have Z Rielly and Gardiner so we aren't in terrible shape. I also think next year Z will be better, just by being more familiar with the nhl and I think Rielly will be too (fingers crossed). Do if Dermott could eventually push Carrick down the lineup the defense would be looking pretty good.
A lot of if's there but I guess that's were the patience comes in to play.