7th highest scorer in the AHA this year with 17 goals and 18 asssists in 35 games and a top 20 Hobey Baker nominee. Not bad for a kid who suffered a skull fracture a little over a year ago. Hope he manages to earn a spot, the system certainly needs more solid centre prospects than what we've currently got, and should get some TOI while Aaltonen is still out.
The Marlies also signed a sniper from Huntsville Ala's NCAA team named Josh Kestner who picked up 24 goals in 37 games. Hopefully he'll make an impact as well with Johnsson now up on the Leafs.
The guy is turning 25 this year. It's nice to put up 24 goals in the NCAA, but a handful of guys do this every year as super-aged seniors. They usually put up far more assists as well, even if the team sucks. The chances this guy becomes anything more than an ECHLer are slim, never mind more than an AHLer, so I'd probably give a shot to Dzierkals, Piccinich, Pospisil or even Engvall/Vesey on ATO's before giving him a shot (at least to replace Johnsson). For now the best he gets is maybe a chance over Dupuy to spot guys like Clune on the 4th line, because we probably won't call up someone better from Orlando to do that for only a few games.
At least Plouffe could be a worthy replacement for some of the centers we likely lose in the ECHL next year, and has some upside. Plus I'd rather put him in at center than Dupuy this year, even if it won't be that often.