Tyler Biggs

[Durkin67]

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...

Click to read more...

 

[Yosho]

How has his year been with the Marlies?

 

[Durkin67]

How has his year been with the Marlies?

He's not a top line offensive threat, but he can chip in. In Oshawa, he had 53 points in 60 games.

Again, a strong playoffs and a good camp would be the determining factors.

 

[johnny_rudeboy]

How has his year been with the Marlies?

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.

 

[SprDaVE]

How has his year been with the Marlies?

Inconsistent is probably the best term to use.

From the games I've seen, he doesn't use his physicality nearly enough. Then all of a sudden he'll bang a few guys in the boards and then drop the gloves or whatever. He's been used in a mostly checking/4th line role this season. I believe he was put on the 2nd line PP a few times, when the injuries and callups were high, and he looked all right planting himself infront of the net.

Some people are hard on him but I think he's progressed decently. He hasn't progressed as well as anyone would hope, obviously, but hopefully he can keep trending upwards. I don't think his offence will ever be something that will be counted on but mostly the things he does away from the puck and his tenacity in terms of physicality and forecheck. He's built like a tank, so hopefully he can use that to really bring up his physicality. If he can grow his game to be in the same style as a Brenden Morrow (yes I know, top scorer in his prime) or Ryan Malone, I think it would be great for us.

He's still a long way away from being NHL ready. He needs to find his consistency level in his overall game and what made him a top prospect a couple years ago.

 

[Celly Hard]

In my opinion Carter Ashton and Jerry Damigo will be on our lineup before Biggs.. They have proven that they are reliable defensivley, and also Ashton is just waiting to break out offensively.

my dream 4th line for next year would be

CA$HTON- JMAC- DAMIGO

 

[Trapper]

Biggs still needs a couple of years in the AHL taking on a bigger role as players like Ashton,D'Amigo,Leivo,Abbott graduate to the NHL.
Biggs will never be close to a Lucic, IF we are lucky he will turn into a Chris Neil.

 

[Durkin67]

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.

If youre looking to simply plug a hole with a younger fighter, I'd agree. I think Biggs has more to offer in terms of secondary offence, and that's what the Leafs need to address. If it was simply a matter of cracking skulls, Frazer McLaren or Colton would be good enough. They need the 4th line to add some offensive pressure. That's not really in Devane's wheelhouse, is it?

 

[Warrior16]

Personally, I'd like to see Broll/Devane take over the Orr/McLaren spots. They can fight, have decent puck skills, and can take a regular shift while benefiting the team.

 

[Durkin67]

In my opinion Carter Ashton and Jerry Damigo will be on our lineup before Biggs.. They have proven that they are reliable defensivley, and also Ashton is just waiting to break out offensively.

my dream 4th line for next year would be

CA$HTON- JMAC- DAMIGO

D'Amigo is a good 3rd line option IMO. He's not tall, but he's thick, he has wheels, and he can forecheck. Ashton on the 3rd line wouldnt look out of place.

Ashton Holland D'Amigo

Bodie JMAC (Biggs) IF his training camp warrants it.

QUESTION: can he do Colton's job better than Colton?

 

[Durkin67]

Biggs still needs a couple of years in the AHL taking on a bigger role as players like Ashton,D'Amigo,Leivo,Abbott graduate to the NHL.
Biggs will never be close to a Lucic, IF we are lucky he will turn into a Chris Neil.

Chris Neil would be fine in my opinion...

 

[Durkin67]

Personally, I'd like to see Broll/Devane take over the Orr/McLaren spots. They can fight, have decent puck skills, and can take a regular shift while benefiting the team.

If the Brolldozer was more NHL-ready to chip in as well as drop the mitts and throw hits, bring it on. If they were both good to go, Imagine how miserable a Broll-JMac-Biggs line would be to play against...

 

[Hotlanta]

Biggs is being placed on the same development curve as Ashton. Spott is about slow development, focusing on learning the basics firsts. He is very high on Biggs and is forcing him to learn a strong defensive game before he earns more time in the top 6. Biggs has the skill, size & skating but not the instincts or IQ for a top 6 role, therefore, in order to cut it in the NHL, he is going to have to be an above average defensive player. I still think he can reach his ceiling of a meaner Colby Armstrong (pre-toronto) who can pot in 15g-20a on the third line. It took Colby 1 year in the CHL plus 3.5 in the AHL to make it to the NHL after being drafted 21st overall and he wasn't considered a bust to Pittsburgh. We Leaf fans need to be more patient. Just look at the number of good prospects coming out of TB and DET that are already 22-24 years old. Not everyone will be NHL ready by 20.

 

[Yosho]

Inconsistent is probably the best term to use.

From the games I've seen, he doesn't use his physicality nearly enough. Then all of a sudden he'll bang a few guys in the boards and then drop the gloves or whatever. He's been used in a mostly checking/4th line role this season. I believe he was put on the 2nd line PP a few times, when the injuries and callups were high, and he looked all right planting himself infront of the net.

Some people are hard on him but I think he's progressed decently. He hasn't progressed as well as anyone would hope, obviously, but hopefully he can keep trending upwards. I don't think his offence will ever be something that will be counted on but mostly the things he does away from the puck and his tenacity in terms of physicality and forecheck. He's built like a tank, so hopefully he can use that to really bring up his physicality. If he can grow his game to be in the same style as a Brenden Morrow (yes I know, top scorer in his prime) or Ryan Malone, I think it would be great for us.

He's still a long way away from being NHL ready. He needs to find his consistency level in his overall game and what made him a top prospect a couple years ago.

Thanks. Sounds like the raw talent is there but just hasn't been tapped into?

Maybe giving him more duties with the marlies and a call-up or two will unleash what's hiding. He was decently productive in his first year with Oshawa playing a more offensive role.

 

[613Leafer]

Biggs is pretty far down the list for callups as far as Im concerned. There are the obvious ones (Ashton, D'Amigo, Leivo, etc). Id even callup a guy like Ryan before Biggs because he's probably as developed as he's gonna get at this point (two years older then Biggs).

This is Biggs first AHL season. Next year he could be given more offensive opportunities/responsibilities (see McKeggs jump in production this year compared to last). I also dont expect Biggs to be Lucic, but if we give him some more time to develop offensively before pigeon-holing him into a 4th line role, he MIGHT be able to become a solid two-way 3rd liner who can put up ~30-35 pts instead of 5-10.

 

[SprDaVE]

Thanks. Sounds like the raw talent is there but just hasn't been tapped into?

Maybe giving him more duties with the marlies and a call-up or two will unleash what's hiding. He was decently productive in his first year with Oshawa playing a more offensive role.

I don't think he's got enough potential in his offensive game to say it's raw. The goals he'll score will probably be in the crease or the odd wrister.

What he has to improve if he'll become a NHL regular is his consistency in terms of using his size, speed and tenacity. He seems way to timid at times.

Biggs is the type of player that will need to bring it every shift on the forecheck, taking the body and playing a sound defensive game. This is where we'll need him to really elevate his game, and it's pretty much why we drafted him really. I haven't seen that enough from the games I've seen.

 

[Trapper]

Chris Neil would be fine in my opinion...

That wasn't a knock either on my part. I would be thrilled for Biggs to turn into a 3rd line Neil.
That being said, I believe our new mentality should be for all our draft picks to play on the Marlies and take on some form of leadership role before they graduate to the NHL. They should see every situation and develop character along with skill.

 

[Durkin67]

That wasn't a knock either on my part. I would be thrilled for Biggs to turn into a 3rd line Neil.
That being said, I believe our new mentality should be for all our draft picks to play on the Marlies and take on some form of leadership role before they graduate to the NHL. They should see every situation and develop character along with skill.

I dont disagree. My only contention is, if, after a strong playoffs/off-season regimen/ training camp, he looks like he can handle the pugilism while chipping in and taking a regular shift, 4th line duty with the NHL club does more to motivate him than playing 5 minutes a night with the Marlies.

The only one who appears to have the overall package to be an effective bottom 6 guy besides Biggs is Broll.

The focus should be on which player has the skill set they need to create an effective 4th line which can do more than fight.

 

[Atomos2]

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...

Nope. He needs a couple more years. At the last marlies game it was said that Spott told management that they would have to be patient with a few of the younger forwards like Ross, Leivo and I'm pretty sure Biggs would be in there as well. He's been in and out of the lineup and isn't even an important part of the team this year.

He'll need a few more years.

 

[johnny_rudeboy]

Biggs is being placed on the same development curve as Ashton. Spott is about slow development, focusing on learning the basics firsts. He is very high on Biggs and is forcing him to learn a strong defensive game before he earns more time in the top 6. Biggs has the skill, size & skating but not the instincts or IQ for a top 6 role, therefore, in order to cut it in the NHL, he is going to have to be an above average defensive player. I still think he can reach his ceiling of a meaner Colby Armstrong (pre-toronto) who can pot in 15g-20a on the third line. It took Colby 1 year in the CHL plus 3.5 in the AHL to make it to the NHL after being drafted 21st overall and he wasn't considered a bust to Pittsburgh. We Leaf fans need to be more patient. Just look at the number of good prospects coming out of TB and DET that are already 22-24 years old. Not everyone will be NHL ready by 20.

Great post

It is better that the young players earn a spot on the Leafs when they are fully developed then trying to squeeze them in and hope for the best.

 

[Durkin67]

Nope. He needs a couple more years. At the last marlies game it was said that Spott told management that they would have to be patient with a few of the younger forwards like Ross, Leivo and I'm pretty sure Biggs would be in there as well. He's been in and out of the lineup and isn't even an important part of the team this year.

He'll need a few more years.

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.

 

[7even]

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...

You're on point there.

How has his year been with the Marlies?

Very ordinary. My biggest issue with him this year is that he's built like a tank and doesn't hit anything. He's a walking contradiction.

He's not a top line offensive threat, but he can chip in. In Oshawa, he had 53 points in 60 games.

In his draft+2 year. Not good numbers. Gauthier, a "defensive specialist" has a better PPG.

Thanks. Sounds like the raw talent is there but just hasn't been tapped into?

Maybe giving him more duties with the marlies and a call-up or two will unleash what's hiding. He was decently productive in his first year with Oshawa playing a more offensive role.

If the talent is there, it's extremely hidden. He hasn't been a PPG player at any level of hockey besides midget. He's a grinder. Hopefully for us he finds success in that role.

 

[Raging Bull]

At this point David Broll brings more to a 4th line role. He's better in every part of the game then Biggs.

 

[Durkin67]

You're on point there.



Very ordinary. My biggest issue with him this year is that he's built like a tank and doesn't hit anything. He's a walking contradiction.



In his draft+2 year. Not good numbers. Gauthier, a "defensive specialist" has a better PPG.



If the talent is there, it's extremely hidden. He hasn't been a PPG player at any level of hockey besides midget. He's a grinder. Hopefully for us he finds success in that role.

I'm looking for someone who can do what Colton does, plus add some secondary offence...

 

[7even]

I'm looking for someone who can do what Colton does, plus add some secondary offence...

Well Biggs can certainly punch people. The offense part, well, that's stretching it. Heavy shot, never uses it. Dunno why.

At this point David Broll brings more to a 4th line role. He's better in every part of the game then Biggs.

Biggs takes a slight edge in skating, IMO.