Prospect Info: Marlies/Prospects- Early Off Season time

[LeafChief]

Life tip: if someone you are counting on for guidance is actually annoyed by your enthusiasm, it's not your problem, it's theirs. I'm sure that was just a poor choice of words by CJ.

I believe it was tongue-in-cheek. He hasn't actually annoyed them.

They were making a point to show how much Robertson followed up with them for feedback.

 

[Prominence]

^

at 55:00

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Vlad Kara was traded to Cherepovets, who was one of the worst teams in the league last year. He may get some good ice time there.

 

[Byron Bitz]

Vlad Kara was traded to Cherepovets, who was one of the worst teams in the league last year. He may get some good ice time there.

Anyone see any tape on this kid? I dont know much about him

 

[Prominence]

^ He's kind of meh. His skating is adequate for the khl and he can handle physicality. At least with korshkov, you knew he's a good passer and had skill but I did not think kara had anything that could stand out.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

Vlad Kara was traded to Cherepovets, who was one of the worst teams in the league last year. He may get some good ice time there.

Awesome. He played well initially when AK was dealing with injuries to start the year. Probably way over his head because he still had limited ice time.

Good opportunity for him.

 

[LeafChief]

Vlad Kara was traded to Cherepovets, who was one of the worst teams in the league last year. He may get some good ice time there.

Anyone see any tape on this kid? I dont know much about him

^ He's kind of meh. His skating is adequate for the khl and he can handle physicality. At least with korshkov, you knew he's a good passer and had skill but I did not think kara had anything that could stand out.

@Caser - what can you tell us about Kara?

 

[Knies iT]

Anyone see any tape on this kid? I dont know much about him

@Caser posted these clips of him on the main boards:





Some other KHL posters mentioned that he projects as a 3rd line guy at the NHL level. Two seasons ago he was given strict defensive assignments under a hard nosed coach in Bilyaletdinov and apparently made big strides in his two way game. Has nice size, too.

He seems to have mastered the MHL/VHL level in Russia, so this trade could be his big break at the KHL level. Around March in the VHL he was averaging approx 19 minutes per game (leading all Bars forwards in TOI) on a legitimate contender. His team, Bars, was favourited to win and outplayed a perennial contender in their series against SKA-Neva. He started this season very hot in the KHL but cooled off once key players returned from injury.

@SoundAndFury might be able to elaborate. Most of this info comes from him.

 

[The Nic]

Vlad Kara was traded to Cherepovets, who was one of the worst teams in the league last year. He may get some good ice time there.

The Leafs have signed defenceman Teemu Kivihalme to a two-year, two-way contract with an annual average value of $725,000 US.

Kivihalme is unlikely to play in any games in Phase 4, considering he is no higher than 10th on the defence depth chart, but could have a better chance to move up once the Leafs lose Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci in free agency.

The team seems to agree with me that Kivihalme is not too old to be of value as a prospect.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

The Leafs have signed defenceman Teemu Kivihalme to a two-year, two-way contract with an annual average value of $725,000 US.

Kivihalme is unlikely to play in any games in Phase 4, considering he is no higher than 10th on the defence depth chart, but could have a better chance to move up once the Leafs lose Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci in free agency.

The team seems to agree with me that Kivihalme is not too old to be of value as a prospect.

He's Marlies depth at best. When we are talking about a pecking order for depth guys, he's far behind Rosen, Marincin and Sandin/Liljegren (if not both if neither make the Leafs).

The Leafs could have picked up a much better option for the Marlies in UFA, both from the NCAA and the NHL (if they were looking for a more veteran presence).

One would hope that Moore and the Marlies do much better next year, so let's hope Kivihalme is a benefit from that improvement as well.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

@Caser posted these clips of him on the main boards:





Some other KHL posters mentioned that he projects as a 3rd line guy at the NHL level. Two seasons ago he was given strict defensive assignments under a hard nosed coach in Bilyaletdinov and apparently made big strides in his two way game. Has nice size, too.

He seems to have mastered the MHL/VHL level in Russia, so this trade could be his big break at the KHL level. Around March in the VHL he was averaging approx 19 minutes per game (leading all Bars forwards in TOI) on a legitimate contender. His team, Bars, was favourited to win and outplayed a perennial contender in their series against SKA-Neva. He started this season very hot in the KHL but cooled off once key players returned from injury.

@SoundAndFury might be able to elaborate. Most of this info comes from him.

I imagine he will have a good shot at a top 6 role with Cherepovets next year, and if he can be one of, if not the best forward, on that team, then he may earn an ELC and come over to the Marlies for 2021-2022. From there, we will see if he can become a quality bottom 6 forward for the Leafs.

 

[The Nic]

He's Marlies depth at best. When we are talking about a pecking order for depth guys, he's far behind Rosen, Marincin and Sandin/Liljegren (if not both if neither make the Leafs).

The Leafs could have picked up a much better option for the Marlies in UFA, both from the NCAA and the NHL (if they were looking for a more veteran presence).

One would hope that Moore and the Marlies do much better next year, so let's hope Kivihalme is a benefit from that improvement as well.

I actually feel sorry for you... and for anyone else who just can't ever admit that they're wrong. Right now... there is no Marlies season to prepare for. The Leafs have their best 12 defensemen in camp for the re-start of the NHL season... and Kivihalme is one of them. You said they probably wouldn't offer him another contract, yet they've just re-signed him... for two years. You said he was too old to be a legitimate prospect... and then compare him to Marincin and Rosen... players who are 3 years and 1 year older respectively... and who have yet to crack the NHL line-up despite several chances. Oh yes... the magical UFA option for the Marlies... I can assure you that they won't find an AHL free agent who can skate like Kivihalme does.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Trent Bourque signs with Manitoba (AHL).

 

[cookie]

If you're going to be slotting into the left hand side defense on the Leafs, you better be something special, or at least, be able to play on the PK. Your direct competition is Martin Marincin, known PK specialist that has shown the ability to slot up the line-up in a pinch. The Leafs have a plethora of PP options, especially considering the scheme they run, so there's a road block and a half there.

So when it comes to Kivihalme, he's in a tough situation as far as his NHL future with the Leafs is concerned. It's a shame because from what we were able to see, he can move the puck quite well and could slot into a top-6 role in other organizations. At the moment, he is an insurance policy in the sense that the Leafs can pick and choose who to call up on defense but I would think the main upside to the contract is a means of finding the guy a job outside of the organization or as a stand-in for Dermott if the asking price is way too high.

 

[Duke16]

Korshkov seems to be linked back to Yaroslavl :/

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Korshkov seems to be linked back to Yaroslavl :/

That is happening often because the KHL is expected to start on time while the AHL is going to be delayed. If he does leave, he may come back at the start of the AHL season in the new year.

 

[Duke16]

That is happening often because the KHL is expected to start on time while the AHL is going to be delayed. If he does leave, he may come back at the start of the AHL season in the new year.

Yes, that wasn't outlined clearly, but that's what I would imagine would happen. He may make the Leafs though or be in a first man up situation

 

[4thline]

Korshkov seems to be linked back to Yaroslavl :/

Call me crazy, but with the AHL season delayed / in doubt I could see both Sandin and Liljegren loaned back across the water. I could see the decision being made that they'd be hurt more by sitting out than by missing some early season action, and that between Lehtonen + a UFA they can be replaced in the short term at this stage in their careers.

 

[biotk]

Call me crazy, but with the AHL season delayed / in doubt I could see both Sandin and Liljegren loaned back across the water. I could see the decision being made that they'd be hurt more by sitting out than by missing some early season action, and that between Lehtonen + a UFA they can be replaced in the short term at this stage in their careers.

Sandin needs an off season to gain strength and mass far more than he needs to being playing some extra hockey.

 

[4thline]

Sandin needs an off season to gain strength and mass far more than he needs to being playing some extra hockey.

He's had an off season, and SHL schedule isn't exactly taxing

 

[biotk]

He's had an off season, and SHL schedule isn't exactly taxing

He has already said in an interview that he has not had an off season. Due to the uncertainties the concentration was on staying in game shape.

Generally when an athlete builds mass they need to have a set block where they can concentrate on gaining that mass followed by a period of time to return to their playing condition. Players did not have that. They do during a planned off season when their is a known target date to return.

 

[93LEAFS]

Unless the NHL forks up big to keep the AHL running (whhich I can't see happening with owners facing record losses), I have no idea how they are going to have an AHL season, I don't even no how they'll do an NHL season until they can get something like 50% to 75% attendence. And that's before we even figure out cross border issues. It's going to be interesting to see how they navigate this.

I've heard talk some of the Euro leagues may have trouble starting up. Unlike the big soccer leagues which are currently playing with no fans, these leagues have minimal money from television. Pretty much all hockey is gate and sponsorship driven. It's weird to think what the fallout is going to be play development wise for all these professional leagues. MLB's already lost a year of minor league, we have no idea what's going to happen with the variety of leagues NHL gets there players from and who know's whats going to happen in college sports which is the primary feeder of NFL and NBA players, in the NFL's case almost exclusively so. And that falls even further down to leagues lower than that like GTHL (and offseason training which is taking a hit), High-School football, AAU basketball (which has been shut down this summer), etc.

 

[Prodigy MayD]

I imagine he will have a good shot at a top 6 role with Cherepovets next year.

For anyone who doesn't follow the KHL, Kara had a very good year for his age.
After his KHL contract expires he could become a legitimate top 6 option for the Marlies, with NHL potential. He might be one of our better centre prospects in the system.

 

[Prodigy MayD]

The Leafs have their best 12 defensemen in camp for the re-start of the NHL season... and Kivihalme is one of them.

Kivihalme has been a legitimate top pairing defender on the Marlies, he is NHL ready.
If the Leafs were not so stacked on the left side he would be a legitimate option.
He is arguably just as good as Rosen and Marincin already.

 

[Fogelhund]

Unless the NHL forks up big to keep the AHL running (whhich I can't see happening with owners facing record losses), I have no idea how they are going to have an AHL season, I don't even no how they'll do an NHL season until they can get something like 50% to 75% attendence. And that's before we even figure out cross border issues. It's going to be interesting to see how they navigate this.

I've heard talk some of the Euro leagues may have trouble starting up. Unlike the big soccer leagues which are currently playing with no fans, these leagues have minimal money from television. Pretty much all hockey is gate and sponsorship driven. It's weird to think what the fallout is going to be play development wise for all these professional leagues. MLB's already lost a year of minor league, we have no idea what's going to happen with the variety of leagues NHL gets there players from and who know's whats going to happen in college sports which is the primary feeder of NFL and NBA players, in the NFL's case almost exclusively so. And that falls even further down to leagues lower than that like GTHL (and offseason training which is taking a hit), High-School football, AAU basketball (which has been shut down this summer), etc.

Is there anything stopping rich teams, from using their financial strength to their advantage? Toronto would be an obvious example.

It wouldn't be hard for us to put together three, maybe even four minor league teams. Between prospects, Marlies and Growlers, plus some invitees, to put together group training camps, and multiple team exhibition games, not unlike what the Leafs are doing now. At a time when other teams can't afford to develop their prospects, we could... could be a big advantage.

Also perhaps of interest... Westhead: CHL seeks government aid to ‘weather the storm’ amid pandemic - TSN.ca The Canadian Hockey League has hired lobbyists in Ottawa to discuss financial aid for its 60 major junior teams, amid concerns that some franchises could be forced out of business because of the COVID-19 pandemic