Prospect Info: Marlies/Prospects- Early Off Season time

[Canada4Gold]

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

With the way things are going with the league making everything Toronto does illegal more than likely we'd either be told we can't develop our prospects because other teams can't afford to. Or we can if we want but we'd have to pay for the entire league to do the same.

 

[Fogelhund]

With the way things are going with the league making everything Toronto does illegal more than likely we'd either be told we can't develop our prospects because other teams can't afford to. Or we can if we want but we'd have to pay for the entire league to do the same.

Beyond using paid Refs, what have they made illegal?

 

[Canada4Gold]

Beyond using paid Refs, what have they made illegal?

Keeping their practice facilities open in the offseason for players and prospects to use

 

[Community]

Keeping their practice facilities open in the offseason for players and prospects to use

Yeah this one is VERY bush league...

As a growing sport that has by far the smallest fanbase of the 4 leagues, we should be doing everything in our power to develop all prospects. Instead we limit some because other teams dont keep their facilities open.

It's not like it is a huge advantage like southern US tax advantages...

 

[93LEAFS]

Keeping their practice facilities open in the offseason for players and prospects to use

Yeah this one is VERY bush league...

As a growing sport that has by far the smallest fanbase of the 4 leagues, we should be doing everything in our power to develop all prospects. Instead we limit some because other teams dont keep their facilities open.

It's not like it is a huge advantage like southern US tax advantages...

I'm not sure the 2nd one is just owners, more players don't want this "optional development stuff" to essentially become mandatory for fringe players.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I'm not sure the 2nd one is just owners, more players don't want this "optional development stuff" to essentially become mandatory for fringe players.

Well it does not need to become mandatory, but if they are fringe, they should be taking every single opportunity given to them. They should be seeking out those opportunities.

 

[93LEAFS]

Well it does not need to become mandatory, but if they are fringe, they should be taking every single opportunity given to them. They should be seeking out those opportunities.

The NFL fought hard to combat things like this though. It essentially makes it mandatory for fringe guys to work in these situations. If the players wanted this stuff, they would have fought it harder.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

The NFL fought hard to combat things like this though. It essentially makes it mandatory for fringe guys to work in these situations. If the players wanted this stuff, they would have fought it harder.

Did they fight against it, or did they just not fight very hard?

It could be that a lot of players do not care because they just do things on their own anyways (or used our facilities but could easily go somewhere else to work out), so it does not really matter for them.

I just do not understand why fringe players would be actively against it. While it may guilt players, it is not mandatory and it is not like the team is going to hold it against them if they still come out as good players. If they want to do their own program at home or elsewhere, then the Leafs have allowed for that to happen. If they just do not want to work in general, then don't be a professional.

 

[Fogelhund]

Keeping their practice facilities open in the offseason for players and prospects to use

Thanks, must have missed that while on vacation... well, that certainly puts a dent in my idea.

 

[Joey Hoser]

There's actually been a misunderstanding about the whole summer-training-facility thing. The Leafs haven't actually been forced to close their facility in the summer. What's changed is that they aren't allowed to cover the expenses(flights, hotels, having Gary Roberts train them) of the prospects that come to make use of the facilities, and that isn't actually all that unreasonable. The Leafs have the money to throw around, and half the organization lives here. If you're Columbus and nobody lives there because it's Columbus, you barely(or don't) make a profit, and you have to fly all your guys in from all over the world and give them places to stay, it becomes a more apparently unfair.

It's still lame, but not as outrageously stupid and bush league as originally reported.

 

[TML1967]

There's actually been a misunderstanding about the whole summer-training-facility thing. The Leafs haven't actually been forced to close their facility in the summer. What's changed is that they aren't allowed to cover the expenses(flights, hotels, having Gary Roberts train them) of the prospects that come to make use of the facilities, and that isn't actually all that unreasonable. The Leafs have the money to throw around, and half the organization lives here. If you're Columbus and nobody lives there because it's Columbus, you barely(or don't) make a profit, and you have to fly all your guys in from all over the world and give them places to stay, it becomes a more apparently unfair.

It's still lame, but not as outrageously stupid and bush league as originally reported.

Agreed, but still insane to me.
As a pro sports team, your complaining because we fly our players to our city, and pay for hotel rooms and trainers? Or complain because your players dont want to live in your city during offseasons? Just dumb.

To (roughly) quote one of the best Canadian tv shows...
My response to any team that complained

Like, kick rocks bud.

That's 10 ply bud.

You couldn't wheel a tire down a hill.

Your teams are so sad I could get a charity tax credit just by watching your guys play.

Anyone saying its about fairness, get off the cross we need the wood.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

Looks like Ian Scott is the practice goalie for Liljegren/Johnsson when they're on the ice. Good to see him back. Hopefully he can bounce back strong next year and push for a role with the Marlies by year end.

 

[nuck]

Looks like Ian Scott is the practice goalie for Liljegren/Johnsson when they're on the ice. Good to see him back. Hopefully he can bounce back strong next year and push for a role with the Marlies by year end.

He is an absolute wildcard I think. His Junior analogs seem to include guys like Pogge and but also Brossoit and Holtby. If he is Brossoit or Reimer they could use that. If he is Holtby they could use that more. With the lost season definitely a mystery prospect.

 

[Magic Man]

Looks like Ian Scott is the practice goalie for Liljegren/Johnsson when they're on the ice. Good to see him back. Hopefully he can bounce back strong next year and push for a role with the Marlies by year end.

Are they working Lily into game shape? Is he still eligible for the playoff round if they can round him into form?

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Are they working Lily into game shape? Is he still eligible for the playoff round if they can round him into form?

They do not really need him unless injuries hit, but likely he has some kind of minor injury and will be able to return at some point if we need him.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

Are they working Lily into game shape? Is he still eligible for the playoff round if they can round him into form?

He's in better shape than probably most of our NHL guys. As @SeaOfBlue said likely a minor injury. I imagine he and Sandin step in for any injuries.

 

[nuck]

Nick Abruzzese and Europe???

A while ago some people were talking about him turning pro which I sort of discounted but what if the NCAA isn't back in the fall? Yeah he is a hobbit and IMO would have been a 4 year college player to properly develop but he seems like a guy that might have at least a shot at sticking in the Finnish Liiga. They have always been a league that favors small danglers so he won't get erased like maybe in the KHL or DEL and that is a major leap over amateur. The money would obviously offset the paid college ride. Developmentally even the Austrian or Norwegian leagues would be a nice step but the money is not on the same scale so maybe not enough to tempt him.

I don't have a preference as that really depends on whether the guy wants to be a pro hockey player or an engineer. If he comes from a money family and doesn't have tunnel vision on hockey then its a forgone conclusion that he will stick with the school route and whatever delays happen. If his big college season has shown him the brass ring then maybe this is his fork in the road. Unfortunately one paid game means his college career is over so its not an easy choice. Alps Hockey League?

Step one is what will the NCAA do?

 

[Warden of the North]

So we all agree Bracco is a bust, correct? That hes never going to suit up for the Leafs and likely not in the NHL in any significant fashion?

 

[Gabriel426]

Did they fight against it, or did they just not fight very hard?

It could be that a lot of players do not care because they just do things on their own anyways (or used our facilities but could easily go somewhere else to work out), so it does not really matter for them.

I just do not understand why fringe players would be actively against it. While it may guilt players, it is not mandatory and it is not like the team is going to hold it against them if they still come out as good players. If they want to do their own program at home or elsewhere, then the Leafs have allowed for that to happen. If they just do not want to work in general, then don't be a professional.

Fringe players might still want it but guys who are at the level just above fringe players might feel the heat of better practice if not these fringe players might take my job...then the level above that might feel the same.
Anyhow, pretty sure there are plenty of ways to be around that once this COVID thing is over.

 

[Kiwi]

So we all agree Bracco is a bust, correct? That hes never going to suit up for the Leafs and likely not in the NHL in any significant fashion?

Not a lot of debate on that one, he's a leech of a player (needs somebody to drive play up ice for him) with two standout skills (on ice passing and vision)

I can't see how he succeeds at the next level

 

[Joey Hoser]

So we all agree Bracco is a bust, correct? That hes never going to suit up for the Leafs and likely not in the NHL in any significant fashion?

He could probably throw up a lot of points on the PP of a bad team. Can't see a team being successful with him in a prominent role, though.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

So we all agree Bracco is a bust, correct? That hes never going to suit up for the Leafs and likely not in the NHL in any significant fashion?

Not a lot of debate on that one, he's a leech of a player (needs somebody to drive play up ice for him) with two standout skills (on ice passing and vision)

I can't see how he succeeds at the next level

He can succeed in the NHL, but it will be a very niche role. He needs a scoring center who knows how to finish off plays and can drive the net (i.e. a Tavares-type player, but he does not need to be as good as Tavares). He also needs PP time with limited defensive responsibilities. His vision and playmaking ability is elite enough for him to make it to the NHL with the rest of his skill set, and I think with the flat cap and teams needing cheaper players who can fill top 9 roles, he has a much better shot than before.

I don't think last year is a good indication of what Bracco can accomplish. He went from a center who compliments him perfectly in Mueller (who also did much worse once he lost Bracco) to 4th line energy guys like Elynuik and MacMaster. Neither of them can keep up with Bracco offensively, and it showed... So teams would mostly just focus on shutting down Bracco. The Marlies just sucked in general last year too.

I expect the Leafs to swap him for another high potential prospect who is buried/struggling.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

So we all agree Bracco is a bust, correct? That hes never going to suit up for the Leafs and likely not in the NHL in any significant fashion?

He's definitely done with the Leafs, but he might stick with a team desperate for offense/PP help

 

[Kiwi]

He can succeed in the NHL, but it will be a very niche role. He needs a scoring center who knows how to finish off plays and can drive the net (i.e. a Tavares-type player, but he does not need to be as good as Tavares). He also needs PP time with limited defensive responsibilities. His vision and playmaking ability is elite enough for him to make it to the NHL with the rest of his skill set, and I think with the flat cap and teams needing cheaper players who can fill top 9 roles, he has a much better shot than before.

I don't think last year is a good indication of what Bracco can accomplish. He went from a center who compliments him perfectly in Mueller (who also did much worse once he lost Bracco) to 4th line energy guys like Elynuik and MacMaster. Neither of them can keep up with Bracco offensively, and it showed... So teams would mostly just focus on shutting down Bracco. The Marlies just sucked in general last year too.

I expect the Leafs to swap him for another high potential prospect who is buried/struggling.

He can't be used in any form of defensive role, can't drive play or transition the puck up ice, needs a 1st unit PP QB job. Then he left the Marlies for God knows what reason mid season

Best of luck with that, he's worth **** all
I'd take a conditional 7th for him

 

[Merrrlin]

Not a lot of debate on that one, he's a leech of a player (needs somebody to drive play up ice for him) with two standout skills (on ice passing and vision)

I can't see how he succeeds at the next level

If only he had some speed, he could be Malgin...