Post by torontogm on May 20, 2015 17:57:16 GMT -5
Toronto, ON - In spite of a mid-season coaching change and an infusion of young talent and veteran players at the start of the season, the Toronto Marlies are out of the playoffs. A disappointing 5-2 loss at the hands of the mighty Rochester Americans effectively ended the season in Toronto. The final three games will be played for pride and a last-ditch chance to convince management that they were not the problem.
In spite of the frequent flat performances collectively, there have been some bright spots in Toronto this year. Aaron Palushaj, who scored his 54th goal of the season, has lead the team offensively and has been an exceptional +21 when only 5 other Marlies have been + players all season. Palushaj is expected to get called up to the Leafs now that the Marlies are done. Mark Stone has shown great progress. He has put up solid numbers and is expected to get a very long look with the big club next year.
If Slava Voynov is not reinstated this off season, then there could be opportunity on the blue line, but none of the current D-men have shown enough this year to make a strong case for a roster spot next year except Alex Petrovbice, who has hit everything in sight and been a rare plus player, and Steven Kampfer who has provided some decent offense and a relatively steady -7 this year.
Entering the season the club figured to have a very solid back end, but the defense corps has disappointed. Adam Almqvist has been a plus player, but has not produced at all, and is expected to head back to Europe. Jonathan Racine has shown promise as a bottom pairing tough guy. Veterans Keith Aulie and Andrew Campbell were both minus players, and Nick Jensen struggled to find his game. Nate Prosser, who arrived after having a hard time getting ice time with the big club, was steady, but not spectacular. The club expects to bring in a couple more young players next year, so something will have to give.
Some of the solid performers up front are big question marks for next year. Brett Sterling has been an offensive standout for several years, but it is believed that he will head to Europe after this season. Jordan Weal has managed to be decent, but seems to have plateaued. Landon Ferraro was brought in for energy and scoring. He has been a catalyst at times, but his offensive numbers have not met expectations. Veterans Christian Hanson and Casey Wellman are likely returnees, but there is uncertainty around Will Acton, who the club would like to retain, and Paul Szczechura, who is likely to head to Europe.
Forwards who have struggled mightily this year include Michael Latta, whom the club had high hopes for as a fourth line NsHLer. He has played his way on the fourth line with the Marlies, though he has managed to remain in the lineup all year. The club will be looking for a lot more from Tanner Richard, Marcel Noebels, Byron Froese and Ethan Werek next year.
In net, Alex Stalock and Jeff Malcolm have been spectacular at times, but hard to rely on the rest of the year. Both have goals against averages above 3 and poor save percentages. Stalock did perform extremely well in a two game call-up and is hoping to get a call up now that the games in the AsHL are relatively meaningless. However, with the Leafs struggling to hold onto a playoff spot, he may be better off getting another couple of AsHL games under his belt before a very long summer.
The attempt to blend veterans and youth in Toronto has become less and less effective, so many changes are expected. How the parent club does may have a lot of bearing on to what degree those changes will take place.
--- Barbie Q. Pork for the Hogtown Hockey News
In spite of the frequent flat performances collectively, there have been some bright spots in Toronto this year. Aaron Palushaj, who scored his 54th goal of the season, has lead the team offensively and has been an exceptional +21 when only 5 other Marlies have been + players all season. Palushaj is expected to get called up to the Leafs now that the Marlies are done. Mark Stone has shown great progress. He has put up solid numbers and is expected to get a very long look with the big club next year.
If Slava Voynov is not reinstated this off season, then there could be opportunity on the blue line, but none of the current D-men have shown enough this year to make a strong case for a roster spot next year except Alex Petrovbice, who has hit everything in sight and been a rare plus player, and Steven Kampfer who has provided some decent offense and a relatively steady -7 this year.
Entering the season the club figured to have a very solid back end, but the defense corps has disappointed. Adam Almqvist has been a plus player, but has not produced at all, and is expected to head back to Europe. Jonathan Racine has shown promise as a bottom pairing tough guy. Veterans Keith Aulie and Andrew Campbell were both minus players, and Nick Jensen struggled to find his game. Nate Prosser, who arrived after having a hard time getting ice time with the big club, was steady, but not spectacular. The club expects to bring in a couple more young players next year, so something will have to give.
Some of the solid performers up front are big question marks for next year. Brett Sterling has been an offensive standout for several years, but it is believed that he will head to Europe after this season. Jordan Weal has managed to be decent, but seems to have plateaued. Landon Ferraro was brought in for energy and scoring. He has been a catalyst at times, but his offensive numbers have not met expectations. Veterans Christian Hanson and Casey Wellman are likely returnees, but there is uncertainty around Will Acton, who the club would like to retain, and Paul Szczechura, who is likely to head to Europe.
Forwards who have struggled mightily this year include Michael Latta, whom the club had high hopes for as a fourth line NsHLer. He has played his way on the fourth line with the Marlies, though he has managed to remain in the lineup all year. The club will be looking for a lot more from Tanner Richard, Marcel Noebels, Byron Froese and Ethan Werek next year.
In net, Alex Stalock and Jeff Malcolm have been spectacular at times, but hard to rely on the rest of the year. Both have goals against averages above 3 and poor save percentages. Stalock did perform extremely well in a two game call-up and is hoping to get a call up now that the games in the AsHL are relatively meaningless. However, with the Leafs struggling to hold onto a playoff spot, he may be better off getting another couple of AsHL games under his belt before a very long summer.
The attempt to blend veterans and youth in Toronto has become less and less effective, so many changes are expected. How the parent club does may have a lot of bearing on to what degree those changes will take place.
--- Barbie Q. Pork for the Hogtown Hockey News