2015-16 Prospects Thread

[GhostofPotvin29]

Since real games have begun for many of the Leafs' prospects, seems about time we had a thread for the upcoming season.

EDIT: See CarltonTheBear's post with a link to the assist.

Timashov had a goal and 2 assists (1st star) and Dzierkals also scored for Quebec and had an assist (2nd star).

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Just finished putting together some gifs from that game. It's something I hope to do throughout the season, especially with the prospects action since it's not something that's really out there anywhere else.

Here's Dzierkals' (#10) goal and assist, worth noting that this was his first ever game in the Q as well:

http://gfycat.com/PoorOpulentIcelandicsheepdog

http://gfycat.com/FortunateBabyishBongo

 

[CarltonTheBear]

And here's Timashov's (#88) incredible assist, and his goal as well:

http://gfycat.com/HarmoniousSlowButterfly

http://gfycat.com/ComplicatedTenseHypacrosaurus

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I added direct links as well as the gifs were coming out a little sluggish on the boards, but they run fine from the actual source. Not sure if that's just my iffy internet speed at work or not.

edit: I think I'm going to have to compress them even more than I did, lesson learned! I just removed the actual gifs and left the links, view them from there if you'd like!

 

[herman]

Much appreciated, Potvin29 and Carlton.

Timashov definitely looks like a huge steal @ Rd 5.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Much appreciated, Potvin29 and Carlton.

Timashov definitely looks like a huge steal @ Rd 5.

Yes, great idea! Man, Dzierkals' goal was pretty slick.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Travis Dermott and the Erie Otters started their season last night. Dermott had a pair of assists, including one on the tying goal that sent the game to overtime with just 1:15 left in the 3rd. The assist was nothing special, but his zone-entry on the shift that led to the goal sure was:

 

[Highlander]

Dermott looked pretty good so far and impressed,  seems to have the necessary poise to handle things. Hope he kills with the Otters

 

[herman]

I think this was a comment on PPP but there's a pretty good chance this season of having Nylander, Marner, and Timashov lead the AHL/OHL/QMJHL in points.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I think this was a comment on PPP but there's a pretty good chance this season of having Nylander, Marner, and Timashov lead the AHL/OHL/QMJHL in points.

Huh, I never realized that, but yeah there's definitely a decent chance of that. At the very least barring an injury (or in Nylander's case a call-up) they'll all likely be top-5 in scoring.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I think this was a comment on PPP but there's a pretty good chance this season of having Nylander, Marner, and Timashov lead the AHL/OHL/QMJHL in points.

Huh, I never realized that, but yeah there's definitely a decent chance of that. At the very least barring an injury (or in Nylander's case a call-up) they'll all likely be top-5 in scoring.

Yeah the interesting thing with Nylander is - if he's at a point where he's even got a shot to be top 5 in AHL scoring, is he going to realistically be left in the AHL to do that?  There was an article on TLN about whether he could be the first teenage 100 pt scorer in the AHL but the counterpoint is - why would be still be down there to reach that total if he's producing points at that rate?

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Much appreciated, Potvin29 and Carlton.

Timashov definitely looks like a huge steal @ Rd 5.

Completely agree re Timashov, he looked very good in the limited action he saw.

I either posted or read an article on here not long after the draft, it looked at Timashov's production and had him in some very impressive company.

 

[Frank E]

I think this was a comment on PPP but there's a pretty good chance this season of having Nylander, Marner, and Timashov lead the AHL/OHL/QMJHL in points.

Huh, I never realized that, but yeah there's definitely a decent chance of that. At the very least barring an injury (or in Nylander's case a call-up) they'll all likely be top-5 in scoring.

Yeah the interesting thing with Nylander is - if he's at a point where he's even got a shot to be top 5 in AHL scoring, is he going to realistically be left in the AHL to do that?  There was an article on TLN about whether he could be the first teenage 100 pt scorer in the AHL but the counterpoint is - why would be still be down there to reach that total if he's producing points at that rate?

Because the Leafs need to lose hockey games?

 

[herman]

I think this was a comment on PPP but there's a pretty good chance this season of having Nylander, Marner, and Timashov lead the AHL/OHL/QMJHL in points.

Huh, I never realized that, but yeah there's definitely a decent chance of that. At the very least barring an injury (or in Nylander's case a call-up) they'll all likely be top-5 in scoring.

Yeah the interesting thing with Nylander is - if he's at a point where he's even got a shot to be top 5 in AHL scoring, is he going to realistically be left in the AHL to do that?  There was an article on TLN about whether he could be the first teenage 100 pt scorer in the AHL but the counterpoint is - why would be still be down there to reach that total if he's producing points at that rate?

But what would be the point of dragging him into the inevitable tire fire that will be the 2015-16 Toronto Maple Leafs season post-deadline, and wasting 1 ELC year/games towards UFA?

 

[Kin]

But what would be the point of dragging him into the inevitable tire fire that will be the 2015-16 Toronto Maple Leafs season post-deadline, and wasting 1 ELC year/games towards UFA?

Because while you can design a team to be bad in the off-season, in-season you probably can't outright look like you're intentionally making decisions to lose games and still be able to preach what you want to the players you have. 

 

[Frank E]

But what would be the point of dragging him into the inevitable tire fire that will be the 2015-16 Toronto Maple Leafs season post-deadline, and wasting 1 ELC year/games towards UFA?

Because while you can design a team to be bad in the off-season, in-season you probably can't outright look like you're intentionally making decisions to lose games and still be able to preach what you want to the players you have.

I wouldn't suggest that keeping a 19 year old in the AHL would be seen as intentionally making decisions to lose games.

Healthy scratching him in the NHL could likely be seen as that, but certainly not exposing a teenager to what will likely (hopefully) be a bit of a disaster. 

 

[herman]

But what would be the point of dragging him into the inevitable tire fire that will be the 2015-16 Toronto Maple Leafs season post-deadline, and wasting 1 ELC year/games towards UFA?

Because while you can design a team to be bad in the off-season, in-season you probably can't outright look like you're intentionally making decisions to lose games and still be able to preach what you want to the players you have.

I wouldn't suggest that keeping a 19 year old in the AHL would be seen as intentionally making decisions to lose games.

Healthy scratching him in the NHL could likely be seen as that, but certainly not exposing a teenager to what will likely (hopefully) be a bit of a disaster.

I see them bringing in the Carricks and Leivos who have been in the system longer ahead of Nylander without any difficulty justifying that decision. Wasn't Brown tearing up the AHL last season?

 

[Kin]

I wouldn't suggest that keeping a 19 year old in the AHL would be seen as intentionally making decisions to lose games.

Healthy scratching him in the NHL could likely be seen as that, but certainly not exposing a teenager to what will likely (hopefully) be a bit of a disaster.

I think that if you're looking around post-deadline for people to promote out of the AHL once spots open up and you have someone who is dominating the AHL to the extent we're talking about(remember the idea here is that Nylander is scoring at a league-leading or near league-leading pace) and you pass on Nylander for someone like Casey Bailey or Josh Leivo then it sends a pretty clear message about what the organizational priorities are. The team couldn't hide behind "making sure Nylander is ready" either if, again, he's dominating the AHL so thoroughly.

Even teams as thoroughly in the tank as Arizona and Buffalo last year gave their better AHL prospects call-ups and they didn't have anyone playing at the level of what we're supposing Nylander might. You can't preach a meritocracy and then ignore results like that.

 

[Kin]

I see them bringing in the Carricks and Leivos who have been in the system longer ahead of Nylander without any difficulty justifying that decision. Wasn't Brown tearing up the AHL last season?

Last year's team never was really in the situation where they had to promote AHL guys to fill in regular NHL roster spots. Players like Sill and Lindstrom were brought in for essentially that precise purpose. They might go that route again this year but if not and if ideally there are at least a half-dozen spots open up post-deadline then I think you would need to justify promoting players who are nowhere as good.

 

[herman]

I see them bringing in the Carricks and Leivos who have been in the system longer ahead of Nylander without any difficulty justifying that decision. Wasn't Brown tearing up the AHL last season?

Last year's team never was really in the situation where they had to promote AHL guys to fill in regular NHL roster spots. Players like Sill and Lindstrom were brought in for essentially that precise purpose. They might go that route again this year but if not and if ideally there are at least a half-dozen spots open up post-deadline then I think you would need to justify promoting players who are nowhere as good.

Definitely depends on which spots open up and don't get filled with the trade returns. There is a good chance we will be looking at at least a half dozen moves. I agree with what you say re: meritocracy as well, but continue to hope they protect Nylander for the full season.