When there’s the amount of turnover in the Leafs roster as there was this summer, many of the players the Leafs signed are bound to be sent to the Marlies. What are the steps you take to bring them on board?
Last year we had a lot of continuity in the leadership. I think it’s important to have great leadership at the AHL level, without a doubt. But I also think with your young prospects, if the leadership doesn’t change, the young players will really struggle to take a step. No matter what, they’re going to be the younger guy to the more established player. But when there’s a leadership change though, it’s a great opportunity. Anyone who ends up coming down who’s played for us for a year or two, now all of a sudden they’re the most tenured people. The young people are going to have a bigger voice. I think that’s a really important piece in their development.
Why is it important to empower players sooner?
We ask a lot of our players. We ask a lot of their time and the standard we want them to bring every day. We’re trying to make them NHL players. We think that takes a lot of work and time. Sometimes what they think they need to do and what we think they need to do are two different things. So the more that we can involve them in that process and making them understand more of what we’re doing, why there’s an extra workout, why they’re not playing a game but we’re asking them to work with a strength coach instead. They need to know why we’re doing that. They can’t look at it as a punishment. It has to be part of the process. Over time, as they’re established and more important players to your team, you want them to be involved in the decision making, when we travel, when the days off are.
Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren are two players that Leafs fans will keep their eyes on all season. Without lumping them together, what’s something you’ve learned about them?
When it comes to Sandin, he’s a guy that came in at 18 years old and really thrived right from the start. It’s appropriate, the hype that he’s gotten and the impact he was able to make at 18 years old, to play upwards of 30 minutes a night sometimes for us. We thought he showed signs of wearing down for us a bit at the end of the season but his play allowed us a chance to get there.
Liljegren, he’s been here a year, he was drafted higher so there’s a lot more attention put on him. I’m glad you said you didn’t want to lump them together because they’re two different players, two different drafts, completely different circumstances. The thing that happened with Liljegren, and it happened towards the second half of last season that was really cool for us, he really found his way defensively. He was billed as a high-octane offensive defenceman. And while I certainly think he has those abilities and we’re going to continue to work at that, the nice thing that’s happened is that now he has a foundation on his defensive play that he became one of, if not our most reliable defensive players last year. He played against other team’s best lines and on the penalty kill. That made him a really trusted player down the stretch. And ironically, the area we need him to take continued strides in is his offensive game. He’s evolving and trying to figure out what type of player he can be in the NHL. That’s taken some time.
So do you find yourself dreaming a bit about coaching in the NHL when your friends ask you about it?
I want to coach in the NHL. That’s what I’m preparing for. But never for a second have I ever thought it was going to be here. I’ve learned a great deal from Mike Babcock and his coaching staff, both the new coaching staff and D.J. Smith and Jim Hiller previously. I take great pride and I recognize the responsibility I have to help them to have good players and constantly have players that are going to push to take spots on your team.
Initial round of waiver-eligible loans cleared, so welcome Avery, Gaudet, Schmaltz, Harpur to the Marlies. Woll is also joining the Marlies for the first time.
Because he sucks?Initial round of waiver-eligible loans cleared, so welcome Avery, Gaudet, Schmaltz, Harpur to the Marlies. Woll is also joining the Marlies for the first time.
Why didn't the Canucks claim Harpur?
#Marlies send T. Bradley, Estephan, Luchuk, Pooley, Conrad, Ferguson, Duszak, O’Brien, M. Bradley, Brazeau, Hollowell, Power, Sapego, Woods, and Zhukov to the #Growlers
— Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) September 30, 2019
How do contracts with the ECHL work? Do players sign one or two-way AHL/ECHL contracts?
I was going to try to catch some Marlies games this year, but now I probably won't until Hollowell, Conrad, Duszak, and Brazeau are back up.Disappointing to say the least, however perhaps they will play max minutes on the Growlers. Perhaps this was why they started the ECHL in the first place, to actually develop prospects with real potential, not just long shots.
I was going to try to catch some Marlies games this year, but now I probably won't until Hollowell, Conrad, Duszak, and Brazeau are back up.Disappointing to say the least, however perhaps they will play max minutes on the Growlers. Perhaps this was why they started the ECHL in the first place, to actually develop prospects with real potential, not just long shots.
I was going to try to catch some Marlies games this year, but now I probably won't until Hollowell, Conrad, Duszak, and Brazeau are back up.Disappointing to say the least, however perhaps they will play max minutes on the Growlers. Perhaps this was why they started the ECHL in the first place, to actually develop prospects with real potential, not just long shots.
Have to wonder if putting a guy like Duszak or Conrad in the ECHL has negative impacts on signing future college free-agents. I'm sure there are many benefits to signing with the Maple Leafs org. (player development seems to be of the highest standard) but having the chance of being shipped to NFLD probably isn't a big seller.
And I'm not knocking the ROCK. I loved it there when I visited but the perception of going there is probably not that strong, especially among american college free-agents.
Have to wonder if putting a guy like Duszak or Conrad in the ECHL has negative impacts on signing future college free-agents. I'm sure there are many benefits to signing with the Maple Leafs org. (player development seems to be of the highest standard) but having the chance of being shipped to NFLD probably isn't a big seller.
And I'm not knocking the ROCK. I loved it there when I visited but the perception of going there is probably not that strong, especially among american college free-agents.
Just noticed that the Growlers have a 6'7" Goalie at camp, Ian Milosz. That is one large Goalie.
Have to wonder if putting a guy like Duszak or Conrad in the ECHL has negative impacts on signing future college free-agents. I'm sure there are many benefits to signing with the Maple Leafs org. (player development seems to be of the highest standard) but having the chance of being shipped to NFLD probably isn't a big seller.
And I'm not knocking the ROCK. I loved it there when I visited but the perception of going there is probably not that strong, especially among american college free-agents.
I think it's totally understandable for fans to overhype their prospects a little, but we should probably keep in mind neither of those two were really considered in the top tier of NCAA free agents. SBNation had an article (https://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2019/3/7/18194739/2019-top-ncaa-nhl-free-agents) that ranked the top-10 college free agents and had an additional 24 names in their honourable mentions section and Duszak and Conrad weren't mentioned.
Maybe they were just oversights, and we obviously shouldn't be considering that as a definitive ranking, but these aren't the kinds of NCAA prospects that were going to walk in and challenge for a NHL spot anytime soon.
Stacking all these NHL type guys on the Marlies allows the Leafs to call up a depth forward if need be near seasons end as opposed to making some "2nd round pick for 4th line center" type trade that we've been so fond of doing in the past.Exactly. I think the kids are going to the Rock so they can play a lot. They wouldn't get that on the Marlies with Kivihalme, Lindgren, Harpur, Schmaltz, Gravel and Liljegren on the roster.
Yes let them all play 20+ a night and get the instruction and development staff they need to move up the chain. Hopefully a few of them play for the Leafs at some point.Stacking all these NHL type guys on the Marlies allows the Leafs to call up a depth forward if need be near seasons end as opposed to making some "2nd round pick for 4th line center" type trade that we've been so fond of doing in the past.Exactly. I think the kids are going to the Rock so they can play a lot. They wouldn't get that on the Marlies with Kivihalme, Lindgren, Harpur, Schmaltz, Gravel and Liljegren on the roster.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe hinted at just how far the Leafs and Marlies were planning on taking that commitment [to the Newfoundland Growlers] this year.
“There’s an obvious transition for us here now with camp being concluded. We’ve got a number of players that we’re going to be welcoming in. I don’t know what that number is going to be but it’s essentially a full team of guys. There’s going to be a lot of players here that will be joining the Growlers. With how it coincides with how the Leafs run their camp, they essentially keep our team until the very end,” Keefe said.
A veteran shall mean a player, other than a goaltender, who has played in at least 260 regular season games of professional hockey. Provided however, any player signed to a NHL or AHL contract which contains an ECHL assignment provision shall be exempt from the foregoing rule. Notwithstanding the above, any player assigned to an ECHL member team on a NHL or AHL contract shall be deemed to be a veteran if said player is 24 years or older and has participated in 260 regular season professional hockey games as of the opening day of the season of said year.
Is it worth having a Growlers thread or is this one more a Marlies/Growlers thread overall now kind of by default?
The #Leafs full organizational depth chart following cuts today#Marlies looking weak on the right side without Liljegren, forwards could get questionable if Agostino and Petan don't clear. Things become much more deep when Marchment, Kossila, and Wilson return from injury. pic.twitter.com/d00ZW6m2rS
— Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) September 30, 2019
I'm sure I'm not the first person to bring it up but I'm having a difficult time with the ECHL team's name and separating it from its slang usage.
Couldn't have gone with, like, Dogs or something?
I'm sure I'm not the first person to bring it up but I'm having a difficult time with the ECHL team's name and separating it from its slang usage.
Couldn't have gone with, like, Dogs or something?
Had to go to google to figure out what you meant, don't think I've ever heard it used that way before.
I'm sure I'm not the first person to bring it up but I'm having a difficult time with the ECHL team's name and separating it from its slang usage.
Couldn't have gone with, like, Dogs or something?
Had to go to google to figure out what you meant, don't think I've ever heard it used that way before.
I'm not sure which of the google results you landed on but I'm referring to the use of it to mean a large, impending #2.
Growlers: Imposing and inevitable, and come game time you'll be in a rush to fill your seat. Seems fitting.
I'm sure I'm not the first person to bring it up but I'm having a difficult time with the ECHL team's name and separating it from its slang usage.
Couldn't have gone with, like, Dogs or something?
Had to go to google to figure out what you meant, don't think I've ever heard it used that way before.
I'm not sure which of the google results you landed on but I'm referring to the use of it to mean a large, impending #2.
Ah, there appears to be... two sides to that slang then.
I'm sure I'm not the first person to bring it up but I'm having a difficult time with the ECHL team's name and separating it from its slang usage.
Couldn't have gone with, like, Dogs or something?
Had to go to google to figure out what you meant, don't think I've ever heard it used that way before.
I'm not sure which of the google results you landed on but I'm referring to the use of it to mean a large, impending #2.
Ah, there appears to be... two sides to that slang then.
Indeed. In the UK it somehow became slang for a lady’s genital region. So yes, it tends to raise a smirk when the name is mentioned
Liljegren wires a one-timer from the top of the circle to put the Marlies up 2-0. 🚀#MarliesLive pic.twitter.com/kGQUaQNYK4
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) October 5, 2019
“We’ve referred to it as a baseball model where our players will begin their professional careers at the Double-A level.â€
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) October 6, 2019
Why the Marlies, despite historic success, are changing things up: https://t.co/25aket1WOw pic.twitter.com/pcKrJ8HCas
I was going to try to catch some Marlies games this year, but now I probably won't until Hollowell, Conrad, Duszak, and Brazeau are back up.Disappointing to say the least, however perhaps they will play max minutes on the Growlers. Perhaps this was why they started the ECHL in the first place, to actually develop prospects with real potential, not just long shots.
Have to wonder if putting a guy like Duszak or Conrad in the ECHL has negative impacts on signing future college free-agents. I'm sure there are many benefits to signing with the Maple Leafs org. (player development seems to be of the highest standard) but having the chance of being shipped to NFLD probably isn't a big seller.
And I'm not knocking the ROCK. I loved it there when I visited but the perception of going there is probably not that strong, especially among american college free-agents.
As someone who is in the business, I must say that the website of the Marlies and the Growlers are embarrassing bad. Leafs should spend some money on revamping these sites. And keeping them updated daily.
Belleville Senators defenceman Hubert Labrie was issued a two-game suspension by the AHL today after his elbow to the jaw knocked Marlie Kenny Agostino out of Saturday's season opener. Agostino has not practiced since.
— Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) October 8, 2019
NHL is the same... nhl.com/team nameAs someone who is in the business, I must say that the website of the Marlies and the Growlers are embarrassing bad. Leafs should spend some money on revamping these sites. And keeping them updated daily.
The Marlies one seems like it may be limited by the AHL's website. I clicked on a couple others and they all look similar.
Belleville Senators defenceman Hubert Labrie was issued a two-game suspension by the AHL today after his elbow to the jaw knocked Marlie Kenny Agostino out of Saturday's season opener. Agostino has not practiced since.
— Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) October 8, 2019
Didn't hear about this over the weekend. Hope he's ok.
Watch: Teemu Kivihalme, Jordan Schmaltz and Tyler Gaudet talk about adjusting to the new systems following today’s practice.#ForeverStartsHere pic.twitter.com/tFBvnnLSBQ
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) October 8, 2019
Joseph Woll with a 23-save shutout in his first Marlies start
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) October 12, 2019
🧱 https://t.co/Di3zo5J4K7
Engvall and Korshkov had a day
Engvall and Korshkov had a day
Korshkov has more goals than DeBrincat this season.
🚨GOAL🚨
— Newfoundland Growlers (@NLGrowlers) October 15, 2019
JUSTIN BRAZEAU gets his FRIST PRO GOAL!
2-0 #Growlers
12:26 left in the 1st#StandOnGuard pic.twitter.com/0Q88PA5veP
🚨GOAL🚨
— Newfoundland Growlers (@NLGrowlers) October 15, 2019
COLT CONRAD with a TOP CORNER SNIPE!
6-1 #Growlers
18:09 left in the 3rd#StandOnGuard pic.twitter.com/LLMIq7GF8X
He had 5 points in that third game, including that goal above.Toronto Marlies prospect watch.
— Mark (@MarkUkLeaf) October 16, 2019
Colt Conrad leads the ECHL in scoring with nine points (1-8-9), yes NINE points in three games.
After impressing Leafs head coach Mike Babcock in training camp, a plan was put in place that mandated Korshkov be groomed for a specific role with the NHL club.
“He’s a big-body player, he has a high degree of skill, for him it’s a question of getting acclimated, of playing meaningful minutes. Last year, he joined our team, which was very well set for the playoff run, we didn’t see him play quite nine minutes a game. The mandate to our coaches is that he’s going to play,” Marlies general manager Laurence Gilman said ahead of the team’s home opener.
“The more ice time he gets down here and the more opportunity he gets to see different situations, the better he’ll be at hopefully getting to the NHL sooner.”
Getting Korshkov to the NHL sooner, rather than later, meant that Keefe was asked to ensure he plays in the Marlies top six forwards at even strength, on the top power play unit and on one of their two penalty kills. Early on in the season, after coming away impressed with what he saw in Korshkov’s defensive instincts and soft hands, Keefe was comfortable using him in that role. Instead of being forced to use Korshkov in a specific way, Keefe learned that he was actually well-equipped to play anywhere in the lineup.
Petan makes an immediate impact for the Marlies potting 2 (the opening goal and the eventual game winner) and assisting on two en route to a 7-4 win
Some of the b'ys are sittin' pretty as league leaders this morning. #StandOnGuard pic.twitter.com/6XDv4aMGXX
— Newfoundland Growlers (@NLGrowlers) November 2, 2019
Petan makes an immediate impact for the Marlies potting 2 (the opening goal and the eventual game winner) and assisting on two en route to a 7-4 win
Agostino also had 2 goals and 2 assists.
Can't figure out why Räsänen is not on the Growlers. Seems the gig in Russia is not helping him all that much..bring him over, get him in our system and let him play huge minutes.
Today's projected lineup ⬇ï¸#MarliesLive pic.twitter.com/qHhC0kFFGI
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) November 6, 2019
Cool.A quick Read ðŸ˜#MarliesLive pic.twitter.com/VHRNIGZw1X
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) November 6, 2019
Joey Duszak and Mac Hollowell have been called up to the Marlies.Great news on this move. These guys have very large upsides. The way Barrie is playing I would say I would trade him in a minute, he is not going to be in long term plans anyway.
Keefe says this was always the plan, but with Liljegren likely on the shelf for a while, this is a good opportunity for these two RD to show what they've got.
Joey Duszak and Mac Hollowell have been called up to the Marlies.
Keefe says this was always the plan, but with Liljegren likely on the shelf for a while, this is a good opportunity for these two RD to show what they've got.
Not one word on Liljegren as yet, why so hush, hush??????? Enquiring minds want to know.
Also why is Petan playing when we could be having a look at Bracco (Marner light).They say Petan is too good for the A so that's why he's up. What I don't understand is he's really a top 6 forward type, so play him there. He should be with JT and Hyman. If the Leafs called up Bracco it would be the same crap. He'd be on the 4th line. Bracco has NHL calibre passing so i don't see why he doesn't get a shot.
With the amount of griping we do about defensive responsibility?Also why is Petan playing when we could be having a look at Bracco (Marner light).They say Petan is too good for the A so that's why he's up. What I don't understand is he's really a top 6 forward type, so play him there. He should be with JT and Hyman. If the Leafs called up Bracco it would be the same crap. He'd be on the 4th line. Bracco has NHL calibre passing so i don't see why he doesn't get a shot.
Hey Herman, I forgot all about Marchment and now I know why. He does get injured a lot doesn't he. Just his ruff and tumble way of playing I guess.Not one word on Liljegren as yet, why so hush, hush??????? Enquiring minds want to know.
The Marlies tend not to publicize injury information. Like Marchment’s been injured since training camp and not a peep.
You’ve got new players coming in like Kenny Agostino, Pontus Aberg, and Jordan Schmaltz — players that are experienced. The younger players are learning, too, but how long does it take for them to grasp what you are trying to do and say, “This is something we really can sink our teeth into”?
Keefe: I think it is player specific, right? Every player is going to be different in terms of how they grasp it. I think in particular with our defense, we ask them to do a lot of things with and without the puck that for many of them, they’re hearing for the first time. It is a lot different than how they are being asked to play in different places. For some of them, it is a challenge and it takes time. We believe once they get it, things really start to come together for both them and our team.
Looking at our defense, we have Sandin and Liljegren here that spent significant time with us last season. Beyond that, we have six new other guys making up our eight defensemen. It has been a challenge in that sense, but it is exciting at the same time because you get to teach these concepts and try to make the players be Marlies and play the way we want to play and the way we’ve built the program up over the last number of years. That is a fun process for me and our staff.
How much of the systems do you share between the Marlies and Leafs? How much do they expect the Marlies to experiment with new systems? What were you told to work on with Rasmus Sandin when he was sent back to the Marlies?
Keefe: The process really hasn’t changed a whole lot in terms of my relationship with the Leafs and with Mike Babcock and the Leafs staff. I take part in all of their meetings in the summertime and I’m with them all through camp and exhibition season. I am just fortunate enough to be a part of that staff throughout the entire process. Most of the players that are with us now are also in that mix. Learning the system and the structure — that part of it doesn’t change when they come here, obviously.
We are trying to build players to play for the Maple Leafs, so how we are playing defensively and the structure that we play with and the expectation of what they want here is something we work towards every single day. We are constantly pulling clips from Leafs games and showings them to players what they are expected to know and what it looks like at the NHL level. We are reinforcing that daily.
Within that, we believe given we are more in a development level, we are also trying to try different things and push players beyond a certain structure and a certain system — trying to create really complete players and work on different skills that may be more advanced beyond what is expected so that when the opportunities are there, they can take advantage of them. But certainly knowing the structure and knowing the spots to be in is priority one, and that’s established very well by Mike and the Leafs training camp by day one of training camp.
Liljegren is back to skating (alongside Kivihalme at practice today) and Marchment is also back on his feet since training camp.
Liljegren is back to skating (alongside Kivihalme at practice today) and Marchment is also back on his feet since training camp.
Is it worrisome that this guy seems to be hurt a lot? Are the injuries connected to one another? Is there a reason to be worried about future health?
I think someone also posted that Sandin was injured too. He's had several injuries as well, hasn't he?
Their injuries thus far have all been incidental to playing a game where vulcanized rubber and giant bodies are flying around, and generally being super involved in everything.Because I’ve been asked a few times and I saw @MarkUkLeaf getting similar questions, the Marlies’ specific injuries are as follows:
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) November 18, 2019
Archibald: Forearm strain
Gravel: Illness
Liljegren: Knee contusion
Sandin: Rib contusion
Aberg: Not serious, don’t know specifics
Interesting comment from Keefe re: Sandin and LIljegren this year: We’ve given them probably too much responsibility in the sense that they haven’t had a lot of support around them. We really kind of see the difference in not having a guy like Rosen, or even LoVerde. 1/2
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) November 19, 2019
"This year it’s been all on them for the most part and others have been falling underneath them. They’ve got the confidence and the swagger to take that on." 2/2
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) November 19, 2019
He also mentioned in an earlier Q that guys like Schmaltz/Harpur have struggled in spurts. Thought it was telling.
Once again, Keefe pointed to Liljegren as a top-pairing defenceman defensively in the AHL. Called him their most consistent guy. Growth this year hasn’t come there, it’s been more about increased PP time, more confidence with his shot.
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) November 19, 2019
Who is taking over the Marlies?????????????????????Gilmour lol
Huge offensive boost for the Marlies with Petan, Marchment, and Marincin joining the ranks.Marincin won't be helping. He doesn't play much on the Marlies either. He's played a whopping 2 games for them this year.
Marincin won't be helping. He doesn't play much on the Marlies either. He's played a whopping 2 games for them this year.
I actually thought it was more seeing he was waived early Nov but I see he was only sent down last week. Will be interesting to see how much he plays there.Marincin won't be helping. He doesn't play much on the Marlies either. He's played a whopping 2 games for them this year.
He's only been on their roster for like 4 days this season. How many games should he have played in that time?
Marincin won't be helping. He doesn't play much on the Marlies either. He's played a whopping 2 games for them this year.
He's only been on their roster for like 4 days this season. How many games should he have played in that time?
Interesting at Marlies practice today: Greg Moore had the ice spray-painted to enforce players skating certain routes. "The idea is for them to manipulate the goalie and constantly change the goalie's angle. If the goalie's feet are locked, the advantage is with the goalie." pic.twitter.com/EQysJ56v4M
— Joshua Kloke (@joshuakloke) January 2, 2020
“It’s just another teaching tool. With all the data and information on where goals are scored from and how they’re scored, it was just a visual cue of where to get on the ice and what angles to move at.â€
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) January 2, 2020
Nicholas Baptiste and Rich Clune discuss today’s practice. pic.twitter.com/4ai5xYdIWm
I'll be at he Marlies game this afternoon doing some scouting for the boardGreat news Zee, enjoy the show. Moore not having the most success with most of the good players out of town.
Mason Marchment has been on a tear with the Marlies since returning from his stint with the Leafs. Had a hat trick first game back and been in on most of the other goals since then.Bringing guys up is a confidence booster and it looks like he liked how it was up with the big club. I think he'll be back before the year is, maybe after trade deadline.
He is making a case for himself to be back on the big team.
Marlies this season under Keefe:
10-2-3
Marlies this season under MacLean/Davison:
7-5-0
Marlies this season under Moore:
4-9-1
I'm not an observant Marlies guy so I don't want to blame this all on Moore. There's probably some other factors here as well like Sandin being away for all but 2 games while he was behind the bench. But the Marlies are now in danger of falling out of a playoff spot. They occupy the last spot in their division but have 2 teams right behind them.
Keefe would have also had Engvall on the Marlies for his games and he was a point a game player for them. Goaltending is also a question mark in the minors and Kaskisuo/Woll could run hot and cold. Tough to say really.
Keefe would have also had Engvall on the Marlies for his games and he was a point a game player for them. Goaltending is also a question mark in the minors and Kaskisuo/Woll could run hot and cold. Tough to say really.
Brooks would be another one, he's only played 2 games with Moore. Hopefully they can turn things back around soon.
Some Marlies have seen their stock rise, others have fell. Check out what’s changed in this mid-season update! #Marlies https://t.co/sIHzA5pepS
— Hardev Lad (@HardevLad) January 22, 2020
A thorough mid-season review and player grading for the Toronto Marlies via @MarkUkLeaf 👇https://t.co/9W8KHWBmj3
— Maple Leafs Hotstove (@LeafsNews) January 24, 2020