I keep hearing from (informed) leaf fans about how good their AHL team is doing, and how that will eventually mean good prospects being developed for the leafs, down the road. how many players do you see graduating to the leafs by this time next season?

Also wondering how well these fans follow the AHL overall, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in particular.

With the best record in the AHL, who one the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton roster do you see as players that will move into the Pittsburgh line up, IF the rumoured shake up of that team happens, and involves the moving out of some more of the veteran players.
- D0PPELGANGER

Well, while the Marlies' success is driven by it's young players, and not AHL vets, like Binghamton a few seasons ago, I don't think you see too many players promoted next season. Leafs' strategy is to wait until these guys are "overbaked", before bringing them up.

I can see Nylander, Panik, Leivo, and Percy as strong maybes to make it next season.


I don't know about Pittsburgh, but I'm fairly certain Erixon and Biggs will not be making big impacts on their roster next season.

Well, while the Marlies' success is driven by it's young players, and not AHL vets, like Binghamton a few seasons ago, I don't think you see too many players promoted next season. Leafs' strategy is to wait until these guys are "overbaked", before bringing them up.

I can see Nylander, Panik, Leivo, and Percy as strong maybes to make it next season.


I don't know about Pittsburgh, but I'm fairly certain Erixon and Biggs will not be making big impacts on their roster next season.
- Feeling Glucky?

This guy is a stud ,bingo just doesnt posess any player of that calibre.We have some solid guys ,but most of them are likely bottom 6 candidates at the nhl level.And maybe a bottom pairing defender or 2.BTW there were young developing players on that team ,you make it sound like us using ahl players is a bad thing when every team does it

Next season, we should see a possible spike in talent .As kids like Chabot,Perron,White etc .May be down there,but for now there is a gap .

This guy is a stud ,bingo just doesnt posess any player of that calibre.We have some solid guys ,but most of them are likely bottom 6 candidates at the nhl level.And maybe a bottom pairing defender or 2.

Next season, we should see a possible spike in talent .As kids like Chabot,Perron,White etc .May be down there,but for now there is a gap .
- top shelf 15

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he was left down for a portion of next season.

And if the Leafs win the lottery, I wouldn't be surprised to see him and Matthews make up two parts of the Marlies' top line.

I keep hearing from (informed) leaf fans about how good their AHL team is doing, and how that will eventually mean good prospects being developed for the leafs, down the road. how many players do you see graduating to the leafs by this time next season?

Also wondering how well these fans follow the AHL overall, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in particular.

With the best record in the AHL, who one the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton roster do you see as players that will move into the Pittsburgh line up, IF the rumoured shake up of that team happens, and involves the moving out of some more of the veteran players.
- D0PPELGANGER

Here is an article from today. Good timing

http://theleafsnation.com...ccess-into-an-nhl-context

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he was left down for a portion of next season.

And if the Leafs win the lottery, I wouldn't be surprised to see him and Matthews make up two parts of the Marlies' top line.
- Feeling Glucky?

I would put Nylander playing for the Marlies next season at about 1%

EK is on the ice all the time in a defensive role,in the last min of a game .Its not like he doesnt understand how to play defense.He still can get to pucks quick, and do the high off the glass thing .

People need to understand why EK plays the way he does ,if you take a closer look at our defense its not really hard to see tbh
- top shelf 15

He plays the way he does because that's what he's good at. Nobody is as good as he is at getting the puck up the ice. In terms of just defending he's not that good though. That's not his thing. Doughty on the other hand gets top 2 PK minutes on his team. Different style of player.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he was left down for a portion of next season.

And if the Leafs win the lottery, I wouldn't be surprised to see him and Matthews make up two parts of the Marlies' top line.
- Feeling Glucky?

Wouldn't Matthews be too young for the AHL?

Wouldn't Matthews be too young for the AHL?
- Cape Breton Bruins

That's only a thing with OHL, WHL, and QMJHL players. Those leagues have an agreement with the NHL which prevents them from going straight to the AHL. Matthews is in Europe so he can come straight to the AHL.

He plays the way he does because that's what he's good at. Nobody is as good as he is at getting the puck up the ice. In terms of just defending he's not that good though. That's not his thing. Doughty on the other hand gets top 2 PK minutes on his team. Different style of player.
- daeth

Yep ,at least you seem to understand this .Both play styles have merit ,EK,s biggest issue is the lack of support he actually has in Ottawa ,our blueline has all of its PMD stacked on one side .Wideman,Ceci and EK on the right .Methot,Cowen/Wiercioch and Boro on the left ,pretty easy to see which side face s the fore check and which one seems to be waiting for the pass

That's only a thing with OHL, WHL, and QMJHL players. Those leagues have an agreement with the NHL which prevents them from going straight to the AHL. Matthews is in Europe so he can come straight to the AHL.
- daeth

Yes good call

Well, while the Marlies' success is driven by it's young players, and not AHL vets, like Binghamton a few seasons ago, I don't think you see too many players promoted next season. Leafs' strategy is to wait until these guys are "overbaked", before bringing them up.

I can see Nylander, Panik, Leivo, and Percy as strong maybes to make it next season.


I don't know about Pittsburgh, but I'm fairly certain Erixon and Biggs will not be making big impacts on their roster next season.
- Feeling Glucky?

I thank you for your insight, but don't know why you have to take a "shot" at the Senators ............ but it's your nature, and if you think Mark Borowiecki, Jared Cowen, David Dziurzynsk, Bobby Butler, Erik Condra, David Dziurzynski, Derek Grant, Colin Greening, Eric Gryba, Mike Hoffman, Derek Smith, Zack Smith, Patrick Wiercioch and Robin Lehner, were "AHL Vets", then you're deluding yourself.

I would put Nylander playing for the Marlies next season at about 1%
- senstroll

Yup. two full seasons developing after being drafted and leading the AHL in scoring. He's a Leaf barring a horrendous preseason(He was deserving of a spot on the Leafs this year. He was their best forward in training camp).

Yup. two full seasons developing after being drafted and leading the AHL in scoring. He's a Leaf barring a horrendous preseason(He was deserving of a spot on the Leafs this year. He was their best forward in training camp).
- RogerRoeper

If he has nothing more to prove at the AHL level, then perhaps he's ready for the NHL. But, will the leafs next season be the best place for him to develop? Will they be the same as this season, looking to finish low in the standings? If so then another season in the AHL would not be bad in the long run, if the timetable for the leafs warrant it.

If he has nothing more to prove at the AHL level, then perhaps he's ready for the NHL. But, will the leafs next season be the best place for him to develop? Will they be the same as this season, looking to finish low in the standings? If so then another season in the AHL would not be bad in the long run, if the timetable for the leafs warrant it.
- D0PPELGANGER

No they wont.
the best place for Nylander will be with the Leafs.
I actually think we might see him later in he season called up.

No they wont.
the best place for Nylander will be with the Leafs.
I actually think we might see him later in he season called up.
- senstroll

Why would they do that? Would it not be better to leave him down in the AHL until their season is done?

Why would they do that? Would it not be better to leave him down in the AHL until their season is done?
- D0PPELGANGER

Because of what he has been able to do in the AHL at 19yo

another year in the ahl isn't really unlikely if the leafs are serious about taking their time with their prospects.

another year in the ahl isn't really unlikely if the leafs are serious about taking their time with their prospects.
- daeth

I guess its possible with this Management, but if you look at any comparable player based on age and production. Nylander is in pretty rare company. Basically his closest comparable is Spezza.

At 19 Spezza had 54 points in 43 games (1.25ppg)
Nylander is currently 1.31ppg

I doubt he plays another season in the AHL

I guess its possible with this Management, but if you look at any comparable player based on age and production. Nylander is in pretty rare company. Basically his closest comparable is Spezza.

At 19 Spezza had 54 points in 43 games (1.25ppg)
Nylander is currently 1.31ppg

I doubt he plays another season in the AHL
- senstroll

I guess it comes down to whether they want him to dominate in the AHL next season, or be part of a leaf team that management seems to wants to continue tanking next season.

Unless they sign Stamkos, and jump start the re-build like Burke tried when he traded for Kessel

I guess it comes down to whether they want him to dominate in the AHL next season, or be part of a leaf team that management seems to wants to continue tanking next season.

Unless they sign Stamkos, and jump start the re-build like Burke tried when he traded for Kessel
- D0PPELGANGER

Next Season is the 100 year thingy...I dont see another intentional tank.

*IF* the leafs somehow magically had Stamkos, Nylander, Marner and won the lottery (Matthews). Adding those 4 players changes a lot of things.

At the moment only 2 of the 4 are possible. Marner has limited options (OHL/NHL) and Nylander will be too good to send back down

So what you're saying is the stat keepers are inflating the visiting team's shots for, making the home team look worse?
- Feeling Glucky?

Hey, just heard this on a sport talk show, and read it in the Sports pages.

There are those who believe Henrik Lundqvist’s save percentage numbers are enhanced by dubious shot counting at Madison Square Garden. That point of view came my way when I recently touted Lundqvist as a Hart Trophy candidate and was told about the apparent free stats ... Steve Simmons, Toronto Sun Saturday, Dec 05, 2015

lets believe steve simmons over actual statistics that prove otherwise

yes

lets believe steve simmons over actual statistics that prove otherwise

yes
- daeth

He also reported that Stamkos's parents have moved to Tampa.

He also reported that Stamkos's parents have moved to Tampa.
- D0PPELGANGER

I'll have to wait until Feshchuk's interview with his Mom is released but that sounds possible.

lets believe steve simmons over actual statistics that prove otherwise

yes
- daeth

Dopps has a history of not believing numbers.