2026-27 Minor Transactions
- Thread starter herman
- Start date
There was talk Lettieri was KHL-bound, so nice to see him back. Good AHL programs need guys like him.
dappleganger
Well-known member
I wouldn't mind seeing him as an injury fill in on the Leafs.
If guys are never NHL-bound, why bother? Gud Pros? If our NHL prospects are not integral pieces in AHL playoff run, what's the point of trying to win a Calder Cup? It's basically meaningless unless you're developing NHL prospects. What am I missing? 10 AHL signings?
Guys like Cowan, Danford, AA, Villeneueve don't get to experience what winning an AHL championship feels like without guys like Lettieri and Shaw and Mermis and Benning, all guys who won't get another sniff at the NHL again probably.
You can't have success in the AHL with just prospects leading the the way.
herman
Well-known member
Living in Toronto (and the NHL level amenities that the Marlies have access to) is kind of more attractive than uprooting to play KHL minutes, IMO.
It's hard to get into and stick with the NHL and there is no shame in topping out at the AHL level. Toronto is a very cushy situation, relatively speaking. At near or above 30, it's clear some of the players on the Marlies recognized that and took pride in paying it forward to the prospects coming through the system.
Cowan and Danford were never meant to be top line and top pair players (at this time) drafted in the top 5; they're borderline 2nd round picks. While pick slot is nigh meaningless now, it does mean expectations for them are different than compared to Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Rielly, Kadri. When those two fully make the jump to the Leafs, they'll be supporting the efforts of top-line play drivers, similar to what they accomplished for the Calder Cup run. If they work their way up the ranks, then all the better, but that's not the expectation.
It's hard to get into and stick with the NHL and there is no shame in topping out at the AHL level. Toronto is a very cushy situation, relatively speaking. At near or above 30, it's clear some of the players on the Marlies recognized that and took pride in paying it forward to the prospects coming through the system.
Cowan and Danford were never meant to be top line and top pair players (at this time) drafted in the top 5; they're borderline 2nd round picks. While pick slot is nigh meaningless now, it does mean expectations for them are different than compared to Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Rielly, Kadri. When those two fully make the jump to the Leafs, they'll be supporting the efforts of top-line play drivers, similar to what they accomplished for the Calder Cup run. If they work their way up the ranks, then all the better, but that's not the expectation.
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This is a real question... Who cares about AHL success? Are they running these teams to make money or to develop?
herman
Well-known member
I think that's a good question. Some teams certainly just use their AHL team as a stash for overflow, and sort of just hope development happens organically. The Leafs (since Dubas) want to use the Marlies as a strategic advantage: vets will land here to raise their profile for potential NHL returns, or play out the tail end of their career in relative comfort. Those players insulate development for the prospects that need it.
Chasing a championship is important for prospect growth too; not everyone developed in a winning program prior to turning pro. Experiencing the process and the sacrifice it entails is good for establishing the player's (and coaches' and executives') mindset when it comes time to play for the Leafs.
It's both (well success, not necessarily money). Developing prospects in a losing environment just isn't a good idea. And again without veterans at least somewhat leading the way a team will get stomped in the AHL. There's no real way around that.
It's also not just one way or another. You can't have a team full of prospects (let's not even get into the fact that the Leafs prospect base isn't anywhere near good enough to really do that) and you can't have a team full of veterans. You need a balance there and that's something that I think this years Marlies team did a tremendous job at.
I looked into that. According to Google AI, KHL pays between $75k to $1.6M. Typically between $425k and $1.15M
Their attendance is about half the NHL's
Lettieri was getting NHL minimum one way. I expect his worst case now is $850k
He recently welcomed a baby boy. Has pretty strong family connections in Minnesota.
So the rumor didn't make lots of sense - financially or regarding his family.
Given the kinds of bottom six players they loaded up with, they need some depth for top 6 and 3rd line scoring options.
I was concerned with all the signings that they would discourage Marlies from re-signing.
Lettieri is not big but I think Lettieri is very capable and could help at the NHL level if the need arises.
Carlton, Herman, thanks for the insight.
I guess it's short-sighted to assume the AHL is solely for the development of NHL prospects. I was thinking Cowan should play 20 minutes per game and Danford 25 minutes, but that is not at all a realistic NHL trajectory for them, so you need AHL lifers to plug the holes of the roles around the prospects to simulate their future NHL experience.
I guess it's short-sighted to assume the AHL is solely for the development of NHL prospects. I was thinking Cowan should play 20 minutes per game and Danford 25 minutes, but that is not at all a realistic NHL trajectory for them, so you need AHL lifers to plug the holes of the roles around the prospects to simulate their future NHL experience.
Just to add to the other good answers:
There are veteran roster limits in the AHL. One exemption plus 5 (I think - been a while since I looked at the rule)
It is a development league.
From the money one spends to attend a game, it certainly reduces their development costs. Because the Leafs use their fat wallet to stack vets on the Marlies at NHL contract rates, I don't know if it is a money maker - probably not.
Compared with an out of town AHL team, they save a bundle on travel, lodging, practice facilities, and probably on coaching, training, medical staffing and management. The Leafs spend like crazy compared to other NHL teams so they're still spending more but not as much than when they were in St. John's, NF for example.
The AHL vets provide depth to the NHL team. A winning program helps to attract that depth.
AHLers in Toronto enjoy NHL training facilities, coaching and medical care.
The proximity of Marlies helps same day/quick callups.
AHLers coming to Toronto know NHL management is more likely to see them and be aware of them - for the chance they get called up. they're not lost in some more remote, smaller AHL city.
Arn
Well-known member
I can give my own personal experience. It’s not quite the same level of professionalism, but… a long time ago I was playing on my clubs (not hockey, a different sport) first team. But I wasn’t really good enough to have a “top” role on the first team. For a while it was nice just to BE in or even be considered an option for the first team. I played with and against some guys who went on to become literal global superstars of the sport which is a pretty cool thing. (DM me if you want specific names or details
).However, there came a point where I realised I’d actually get more satisfaction from packing in the first team stuff and dropping down to play regularly for the second team. Instead of being a bit part player I became a regular, with a proper role, and even ended up as captain for 5 years. I had two kind of key goals. To have that team challenging for trophies, but also to give real opportunities to young guys who we thought were going to become future first team contributors for the club.
I got more joy out of that role and I personally played on for probably 5 or 6 more years than I might have done had I got fed up being a bit part first team player.
So I understand why some guys can be realistic but happy and keen to play not at the top top level. There can be a whole different kind of satisfaction out of it.
And I understand why these teams are so important to organisations.
At the end of this season, his career earnings will be $5,712,804 => $571,280 /season (AHL & NHL combined)
AHL 324 GP 141G 20.9% shooting
NHL 155 GP 15G 6.7% shooting
Like Steeves found out with 10 hits/60 on the 4th line - it is harder to score on the 4th line