Tyler Biggs

[LeafsFIO*]

I watched him a lot in Oshawa last year, I know he's had a bit of an off year with the Marlies and he hurt his shoulder in the outdoor game but I'm still hoping he gets a fair shot.

He's not a FAST skater by any means but he's still a good skater, especially considering his size. He seems to have dropped some weight in the off-season, he looks a bit smaller when I watch him with the Marlies, but make no mistake he is a big kid.

I don't know about Lucic comparisons anymore. He's a better skater than Lucic but he'll never have the offensive touch around the net that Looch has. I think he could be a Cam Neely type player.

If nothing else, he can make it as a tough guy. He's been one of the toughest players in every league he's played in and that'll eventually translate in the NHL. But I do hope he turns into a fringe second-line guy.

Big forwards who can hit, fight and score are gonna be a premium in the NHL moving forward, if we develop them properly we could have two of them in Biggs and Gauthier.

 

[Atomos2]

It could go either way. A strong playoffs and a good camp could be all he needs to earn an NHL gig.

I get the patience thing, but if the goal is to develop a game ready utility guy who can contribute and handle the rough stuff, he likely doesnt need to be sheltered until he's 24.

D'amigo and Ashton deserve the opportunity ahead of Biggs. If he's not as noticeable over them at this level, what makes you think that he'll leapfrog over them in the summer. Both D'amigo and Ashton are vital members of the marlies core and have already NHL experience. I'd say Biggs should follow a similar path to D'amigo. I'm not even sure Biggs will be on the starting roster come playoff time.

 

[SprDaVE]

I watched him a lot in Oshawa last year, I know he's had a bit of an off year with the Marlies and he hurt his shoulder in the outdoor game but I'm still hoping he gets a fair shot.

He's not a FAST skater by any means but he's still a good skater, especially considering his size. He seems to have dropped some weight in the off-season, he looks a bit smaller when I watch him with the Marlies, but make no mistake he is a big kid.

I don't know about Lucic comparisons anymore. He's a better skater than Lucic but he'll never have the offensive touch around the net that Looch has. I think he could be a Cam Neely type player.

If nothing else, he can make it as a tough guy. He's been one of the toughest players in every league he's played in and that'll eventually translate in the NHL. But I do hope he turns into a fringe second-line guy.

Big forwards who can hit, fight and score are gonna be a premium in the NHL moving forward, if we develop them properly we could have two of them in Biggs and Gauthier.

Jesus here I thought I was pretty optimistic with the Morrow style comparison I put out... you take the cake going to Cam "perennial 50 goal scorer" Neely. Lucic? Nah... Neely? Sure!

You probably didn't mean he'll be comparable to him in terms of production, but more the style of hockey he played, only problem here is that Neely was a top notch scorer, on top of being a beast... no scratch that a MONSTER physically. We'll be lucky if Biggs is just a beast physically.

I actually liked the Chris Neil ceiling for Biggs mentioned earlier. I don't see Biggs being a pest like Neil but scoring ~15 goals a year while throwing huge hits and fighting once in a while, that's solid. I just hope Biggs can be counted on defensively though.

 

[Durkin67]

D'amigo and Ashton deserve the opportunity ahead of Biggs. If he's not as noticeable over them at this level, what makes you think that he'll leapfrog over them in the summer. Both D'amigo and Ashton are vital members of the marlies core and have already NHL experience. I'd say Biggs should follow a similar path to D'amigo. I'm not even sure Biggs will be on the starting roster come playoff time.

Which opportunity? to do what Colton Orr does while adding a little offence? Im not sure youre understanding the context or the content of the original post.

 

[Faltorvo]

Pending a strong finish in the playoffs and a good training camp, I'd like to see Biggs make the jump to the bottom six with the bigs next year. Here's why...

I'm a Colton Orr guy. I have nothing but respect for how hard he worked to scratch his way back from the AHL after being waived.


I also think he's not likely to come back next year.

Because this teams' secondary wave of offense is so incredibly lethargic and unreliable (the defence provides more offence), you usually need to be able to roll four lines in order to solve your opposition. The Leafs can't safely do that at this point because they give up too much in terms of scoring chances when the bottom six (especially the fourth line) plays above the 5 minute mark. Stats guys go ahead and hyper-analyze that one if you must, but when you put your defense and checking specialists out there you int end to receive the game not dictate its flow.

Back to Biggs...

We need reliable role players who can chip in, play physical, drop the gloves when needed, and take a regular shift.

Biggs may never become Lucic. So effing what. If he ultimately becomes a decent, 35-point guy who can stick his butt in the goalies' face on the PP2 and keep the opposition from taking liberties, that's good enough. We need to start seeing the young guys crack the lineup and plug some holes at entry-level contract prices.

Biggs, in conjunction with Gleason, Bodie and Clarkson, can provide all the physicality the Leafs need, while taking a regular shift.

He doesnt need to get into staged fights; he simply needs to keep the opposition from taking liberties.

If the opposition knows Kessel is hobbled, they'll key in on his bad foot. Biggs can intervene and send the message that if they dont lay off, he's gonna lay someone out, and that someone could be an important piece of their lineup.

Tough guys do more than fight other tough guys. They also "police" the opposition on behalf of their teammates.


If they can also take a regular shift and add a little offense without the pressure of being expected to fill the net, we have a win-win.

Forget where he was drafted and who the supposed comparables are and ask the simple question: can he fill a role better than someone currently in that position?

Hats off to my boy Colton; he's a warrior. But the game is evolving and we need youth who can hit, fight, and threaten with a little offence.

To me, Biggs is the probable answer...

I agree with your analytics but I am unsure on Biggs just yet. Maybe a broll/Devane is a option.

 

[LeafsFIO*]

Jesus here I thought I was pretty optimistic with the Morrow style comparison I put out... you take the cake going to Cam "perennial 50 goal scorer" Neely. Lucic? Nah... Neely? Sure!

You probably didn't mean he'll be comparable to him in terms of production, but more the style of hockey he played, only problem here is that Neely was a top notch scorer, on top of being a beast... no scratch that a MONSTER physically. We'll be lucky if Biggs is just a beast physically.

I actually liked the Chris Neil ceiling for Biggs mentioned earlier. I don't see Biggs being a pest like Neil but scoring ~15 goals a year while throwing huge hits and fighting once in a while, that's solid. I just hope Biggs can be counted on defensively though.

You're right that is what I meant. Should've worded that a bit better.

I want to like the Chris Neil comparison but I can't like anything with Chris Neil in it.

You're right though. My point is Biggs is capable of making it as a big body/tough guy. When Neely first went to Boston all they wanted him to do was be a tough guy and he turned into a scorer. That's what I was trying to get at.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Biggs needs to play more aggressively, when he does, he will be a NHL'er. He plays like a sleeping elephant. He can skate, he can shoot, he can hit. He needs to start doing these things on a consistent basis. Time is not too late, he's only 20.

 

[Atomos2]

Which opportunity? to do what Colton Orr does while adding a little offence? Im not sure youre understanding the context or the content of the original post.

Sorry, got a little carried away in terms of a fourth line role. Honestly, I'd put Devane or Broll who are older and have more NHL experience. If Biggs can leapfrog them, I'd still keep him in the minors at least in order to give him some kind of scoring touch and to make him a leader at the AHL level.

Biggs was captain of the U18 team IIRC so I think when he takes more responsibility on the marlies roster, thats when he should take a shot at the maple leafs roster. Biggs isn't even playing the enforcer role on the marlies. The guy is still a kid, has he even fought in the AHL? If he has it's not a regular occurrence. Are you really gonna send a 21-22 year old kid to match up against all the tough guys in the NHL?

He needs to take up a leadership reponsibility with the marlies before he gets any type of sustained time with the big club. Honestly, until I see him wear an A on his sweater, I wouldn't even think of bring him up.

 

[ULF_55]

So if the team needs someone with no offense to take over from Orr why not Devane?

 

[nussell]

How has his year been with the Marlies?

not that good ther are saying he might not even make to the nhl thats how far behind he is

 

[Celly Hard]

Chris Neil would be fine in my opinion...

Colton hasn't been doing Colton's job lol. When was the last time he even fought? We need someone who can actually play hockey and fight when the time be. Biggs would be a much better option, or even devane.

That third you stated would look really good, but I think clarkson will be playing on the 3rd RW spot.

 

[Tml1489]

how about Connor Brown?

Guy has had an above beyond season in the OHL.

GP-68/ G-45/ A-83 /P-128

He's been playing with McDavid which says a lot. But those numbers are incredible. He's 20 so I wouldn't be too disappointed if they keep him down for 1 more year. But I definitely thinks the kid deserves a shot

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Well the one thing about Biggs game that is good is his defence, with Gauthier in the pipeline, we have that part covered.

 

[Tml1489]

Colton hasn't been doing Colton's job lol. When was the last time he even fought? We need someone who can actually play hockey and fight when the time be. Biggs would be a much better option, or even devane.

That third you stated would look really good, but I think clarkson will be playing on the 3rd RW spot.

Orr isn't fighting because no one will fight him. Teams learned real quick after last year that fighting Orr/Mclearn isn't in their best interest. I like Orr personally, but to be honest, he's useless. He can't skate, shoot, pass or do anything with the puck. I think Bodie this year has been incredible. Throwing the body around, skating hard, and getting shots to the net. And if there needs to be a fight, Bodie is a big boy lol

 

[TheCLAM]

Biggs can't even crack 35 points in the AHL. He has ways to go before he gets a spot over D'Amigo, Ashton, Devane and Broll

 

[leafs in five]

Biggs is a long way from getting 35 points in the AHL. not saying he's a total bust or whatever at this point but he's not the probable answer to anything in the near future.

 

[Bar South]

how about Connor Brown?

Guy has had an above beyond season in the OHL.

GP-68/ G-45/ A-83 /P-128

He's been playing with McDavid which says a lot. But those numbers are incredible. He's 20 so I wouldn't be too disappointed if they keep him down for 1 more year. But I definitely thinks the kid deserves a shot

AFAIK, McDavid and Connor have not played a whole lot together this season, aside from some PP time.

 

[7even]

how about Connor Brown?

Guy has had an above beyond season in the OHL.

GP-68/ G-45/ A-83 /P-128

He's been playing with McDavid which says a lot. But those numbers are incredible. He's 20 so I wouldn't be too disappointed if they keep him down for 1 more year. But I definitely thinks the kid deserves a shot

Brown doesn't play with McDavid, he plays RW on a line centred by Canucks prospect Brendan Gaunce. He'll need some time in the AHL. I'd like to see him add maybe 10 pounds to his frame before I'd call him NHL ready, but that's just me.

 

[therealkoho]

He have been coached in to a defensive role on the 4th line, perhaps some time on the 3rd line?

I dont think he is ready for the NHL. Better let him play another season with the Marlies on the 3rd line with some time on the 2nd line to improve his offensive.

Rather see Devane play on the 4th line next season.

+1 agreed

David Broll is also ahead of Biggs in his development

 

[TheGroceryStick]

Broll seems like a more likely candidate.

Stats aside I see him fitting in nicer in the bottom 6.

Biggs needs a strong camp - He is by no means a bust yet - but he needs to play strong and look to be a guy the Marlies or Leafs cant keep out of the lineup. Looks to me that he is just 'playing' for the Marlies, if he wants to take the next step he needs to show that he can dominate at the lower levels.

Ashton-Holland/Bolland-Kulemin/Clarkson
Broll/Biggs-McClement-Komarov/Bodie

Is a bottom six (minus Clarkson and maybe Bolland) that will take pressure off spending money on top 6 guys. We need to dip into the Marlies poor for some hard workers, rather than spending on overpaid pluggers.

 

[Durkin67]

Biggs is a long way from getting 35 points in the AHL. not saying he's a total bust or whatever at this point but he's not the probable answer to anything in the near future.

35 points on the 4th line probably isnt realistic for anyone.

 

[MakeTheIronSing]

Broll seems like a more likely candidate.

Stats aside I see him fitting in nicer in the bottom 6.

Biggs needs a strong camp - He is by no means a bust yet - but he needs to play strong and look to be a guy the Marlies or Leafs cant keep out of the lineup. Looks to me that he is just 'playing' for the Marlies, if he wants to take the next step he needs to show that he can dominate at the lower levels.

Ashton-Holland/Bolland-Kulemin/Clarkson
Broll/Biggs-McClement-Komarov/Bodie

Is a bottom six (minus Clarkson and maybe Bolland) that will take pressure off spending money on top 6 guys. We need to dip into the Marlies poor for some hard workers, rather than spending on overpaid pluggers.

Welcome to the NHL's slowest 3rd line.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

Welcome to the NHL's slowest 3rd line.

mixing and matching and having:
Komarov/Ashton-Holland-Kulemin

Does that look slow to you?

Have you watched Ashton with the Marlies? his is the fastest player on the ice most nights and for a guy his size he will translate well to 3rd line mins, rather than plugging him with McClement and some cement head on the right side.

I like our Bottom 6 speed. I'd rather have Marlies call ups filling the cracks than spending on more Clarksons. (Kulemin is an exception, if he wants to stay and take a reasonable contract)

 

[MakeTheIronSing]

mixing and matching and having:
Komarov/Ashton-Holland-Kulemin

Does that look slow to you?

Have you watched Ashton with the Marlies? his is the fastest player on the ice most nights and for a guy his size he will translate well to 3rd line mins, rather than plugging him with McClement and some cement head on the right side.

I like our Bottom 6 speed. I'd rather have Marlies call ups filling the cracks than spending on more Clarksons. (Kulemin is an exception, if he wants to stay and take a reasonable contract)

I watch a lot of Marlies games. Ashton is neither the fastest nor one of the fastest players on that team. Great player, don't get me wrong. But fast, I don't think so.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

I watch a lot of Marlies games. Ashton is neither the fastest nor one of the fastest players on that team. Great player, don't get me wrong. But fast, I don't think so.

Fair enough, I can't say I'm a avid Marlies watcher by any means. But from the games I've watched, he seemed rather fast and created scoring chances off the rush. Him and Holland both seemed to be playing too good for AHL. (IMO)

But anyway. I'm confident in the players we are developing for our bottom 6. So much so that I would consider graduating a few next year to infuse youth legs and drive into the lineup.

From Jr. I was really intrigued by Broll and think he has what Biggs doesn't; the ability to be that tough bottom 6er or 4th liner that can actually play. Biggs is a guy that needs to play with some talent to be effective (from what I saw in Oshawa), he was by no means a fighter and more of a protector. Broll can settle into the roll of a nasty SOB that can play a regular shift...Biggs needs to develop a mean streak if he wants to be that guy.

I see Biggs top out at 2nd line (which is good), if he finds a good linemate; IMO his progression is dependent on how the leafs develop around him. If he is consistently put with pluggers he will be a plug. If we are good enough depth-wise to throw him on a line with some complimenting players; I think he could be a staple in the lineup, similar to a Rielly Smith or Soderberg in Boston (not that he has the same skillset, but that they were given a chance and stuck)