Our AHL Team Lists continue!
2017-18 North Division free agent outlook. Who's signed/who isn't in the North? http://highlandparkhockey.blogspot.com/2017/06/2017-18-ahl-team-lists-north-division.html
Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Under Contract
Forwards: Miro Aaltonen, Jeremy Bracco, Frederik Gauthier, Andreas Johnsson, Tobias Lindberg, Trevor Moore, J.J. Piccinich (AHL - 2 years), Kery Rychel and Dmytro Timashov
Defensemen: Andres Borgman, Travis Dermott, Andrew Neilsen, Calle Rosen and Rinat Valiev
Goaltenders: Kasimir Kaskisuo
Impending Free Agents
NHL RFA: goaltender Antoine Bibeau (AHL deal) and Garret Sparks, defensemen Justin Holl and forwards Seth Griffith, Sergei Kalinin and Brendan Leipsic
NHL UFA: defensemen Andrew Campbell and Steve Oleksey and forwards Colin Greening, Brooks Laich and Milan Michalek
AHL UFA: defensemen Nikolas Brouillard, Willie Corrin, Jon Jutzi, Daniel Maggio, Brenden Miller, Ty Stanton and William Wrenn and forwards Tony Cameranesi, Marc-Andre Cliche, Richard Clune, Shane Conacher, Eric Faille (signed with HC Banska Bystrica in Slovakia), Brett Findlay, T.J. Foster, Mason Marchment and Chase Witala
I see a big opportunity for Aaltonen and/or Johnsson.
- I believe Rychel is going to waived.
- Leivo couldn't win a spot last season with less competition, will ask for a trade.
- Sosh gets hurt too often.
- Kapanen I don't think is ready to play full-time on one of the 3 big lines.
Im just babbling to pass the time, also
I see a big opportunity for Aaltonen and/or Johnsson.
- I believe Rychel is going to waived.
- Leivo couldn't win a spot last season with less competition, will ask for a trade.
- Sosh gets hurt too often.
- Kapanen I don't think is ready to play full-time on one of the 3 big lines.
Im just babbling to pass the time, also
last part noted. But why would Aaltonen be more ready than Kapanen to play on the "big 3 lines"? he has spent his career in Finland and played 1 year in the KHL he has never played on NHL ice, Kapanen was just on the 4th line in the playoffs and even killed penalties. Kapanen is bigger (6'1" to 5'11") and can play any role asked of him.
When I see Kappy playing on the Leafs, I see a guy trying to figure out what type of player he should become or evolve into.
- offensive player?
- two-way player?
- defensive player?
- grinder?
When thrown into the 4th line, he would more or less be given an assignment to be a grinder. Don't think they wanted to see much offensive flare from him on the 4th line in the playoffs.
Don't think we can really judge his offence in the NHL until we see him in a top 9 role.
When I see Kappy playing on the Leafs, I see a guy trying to figure out what type of player he should become or evolve into.
- offensive player?
- two-way player?
- defensive player?
- grinder?
People are selling Kappy short, he will surprise many people.
Even if used exclusively in a 4th line role next year a line of Kapanen, Martin and Moore will be great on the forecheck with their speed and cause a lot of turnovers.
It's disappointing to me that we didn't add in a huge area of need. I'm willing to give the benefit of doubt to Marleau, but I wasn't a fan of the deal at all.
It's even more disappointing that Leivo won't be given a shot in the top 9. I watched every game he was in last season. He looked great, especially on the boards and couldn't be knocked off the puck. He may not have great speed but his skating was no where near as bad as advertised. It's always nice to have different dynamics to our team and we could use a heavy, possession player like himself that can wear down teams over the course of a game.
The only negative about his game is that he can't play on the PK. But I'm not sure he is meant to be a utility player regardless.
I love Leivos game especially on the Marlies, he is going to be a 20-25 goal scorer on another team.
I maybe the odd one out here but I think Leivo has a better offensive upside then Kapanen. Kapanen has speed but doesn't think the game.
Leivo relies heavily on his strength, shot and he's a smart player. He's not fast but he compensates with his awareness. He can easily take JVR's spot on the PP. The frame and strength is there
He just needs good looks.
I would not count Leivo out of the line up yet.
Leivo is not slow either. He's probably considered average on our team, and our team is pretty fast as a whole. His issue is that sometimes he coasts. Like he does not take a lot of strides to get moving and sometimes that makes him look slow. But when he needed to move, like going in for a fore check or skating around someone, he can move.
That was me watching videos from over two years ago too. He's improved a lot since then.
When I see Kappy playing on the Leafs, I see a guy trying to figure out what type of player he should become or evolve into.
- offensive player?
- two-way player?
- defensive player?
- grinder?
I have become a big fan of this kid. He's actually what the Leafs need right now, size and strength along the boards.
He has become an after thought with our new shinny toys. He actually reminds me of Joffery Lupul. Man he was good for a while.
He's also the only player from 2011 draft that may actually play in NHL. F you Burke you and your truculence.
I have become a big fan of this kid. He's actually what the Leafs need right now, size and strength along the boards.
He has become an after thought with our new shinny toys. He actually reminds me of Joffery Lupul. Man he was good for a while.
He's also the only player from 2011 draft that may actually play in NHL. F you Burke you and your truculence.