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Toronto Maple Leafs: Monday Morning Leaf Points

By Robb Ellis

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Leafs Nation are a passionate bunch! We wear our hearts on our sleeves and aren’t afraid to fight to make a point so it’s always an exciting time when a new trade rumor, free agent signing, or other Toronto Maple Leafs news hits the web. It’s Monday, so you know what that means! It’s time for me to break down what’s “in the news” and give you my perspective. You know what they say about opinions. This is…

MONDAY MORNING LEAF POINTS…

On the Prospects Camp…

The Toronto Maple Leafs ran their Annual Prospects Camp in Collingwood, Ontario from July 7-12 and it has to be considered a great success. I had the opportunity to attend the camp on the weekend of July 11th and 12th and was impressed by the talent level of the group as a whole. After years of trying to get excited over the likes of Brad Ross, Greg McKegg, Tyler Biggs, Sondre Oden and Kenny Ryan the Leafs seem to be much deeper these days.

An interesting stat shows just how much the organization has changed it’s philosophy during this rebuild. The Leafs had 9 picks in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and will have another 11 (and probably more) in 2016. The club had only 17 picks in the past three drafts (2012, 2013, and 2014).

On June 26 and 27 at the NHL Entry Draft in Sunrise, Florida, Mark Hunter made his first picks since joining the organization in October of 2014. Initial reaction around the hockey world was that Hunter had “made out like a bandit!” Watching those 9 selections skate at the camp confirmed that to be very true.

Mitch Marner, Jeremy Bracco, Dmytro Timashov, Martins Dzierkals, and Andrew Nielson stood out for me but none of the picks showed any indication that they didn’t belong. With another 11 picks in the 2016 Draft and the possibility of acquiring more at the deadline, the future is looking bright for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Read about my weekend at the camp here.

Here’s a little sample of the action as Jeremy Bracco (49) lays down a “dirty” little pass to buddy Mitch Marner (36) in a 2 on 1 drill on Sunday, July 12.

On What’s Next for the Prospects…

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Many of the young Leaf prospects will remain in Toronto to train and skate at the Mastercard Centre including American Casey Bailey and Russian Rinat Valiev. Marner and defenseman Travis Dermott will attend Canada’s World Junior Summer Camp while Bracco will do the same for the United States.

At some point this summer, the Leafs will announce the roster for the annual Rookie Tournament.

On the Rookie Tournament…

The Leafs will once again host their annual Rookie Tournament from September 11-13 at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario. The Leafs’ rookies will be joined by the Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and newcomers the Montreal Canadiens who will replace the Chicago Blackhawks.

This will possibly be the first time that Leaf fans get to see the organization’s two top prospects (Nylander and Marner) on the ice together. The two skated in separate groups at last weekend’s prospects camp in Collingwood.

 On Taylor Beck…

The Prospects Camp had barely concluded when the Leafs announced yet another acquisition picking up RFA winger Taylor Beck from the Nashville Predators for minor league forward Jamie Devane. The 24-year old has size (6’2, 206) and scored 8 goals and 16 points for the Preds last season. The Leafs are hoping that Beck is one of those players who slipped into a defensive role but has the potential to do more offensively.

Beck spent his junior career with the Guelph Storm and had seasons of 39 and 42 goals while playing on a line with current Maple Leaf Peter Holland. A quick look at Beck’s highlight reel shows a player that doesn’t shy away from contact and isn’t afraid to go to the “dirty areas” to score his goals.

In fact, Beck scored twice in a 9-2 drubbing of the Leafs at the ACC back in November. On Monday, the Leafs announced that Beck had agreed to a one-year contract worth $875,000.

On Jonathan Bernier…

The Leafs and their only unsigned RFA will sit down together for an arbitration hearing on July 31. According to Jonas Siegel of TSN, the two sides are trying to avoid it and are working hard to hammer out a deal before the date.

Bernier is said to be seeking a considerable raise from the $3.4 million he made last season while the Leafs are probably offering something considerably south of $5 million. In my opinion, the Leafs are in the driver’s seat on this one.

A quick look around the NHL will tell you that goaltending jobs are a rare commodity these days. A chance to start is almost non-existant. If I were Bernier’s agent, considering how much his client’s numbers dipped this past season, I would do everything I could to end this before arbitration.

On Nazem Kadri…

On May 20, the day he was named the new head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mike Babcock made it clear that he wanted a certain type of player in his dressing room.

"“I expect you to bring it everyday. Every single day. And I expect you to be a man when you don’t. And own your own stuff. Period. I believe the game’s honest. And if you’re an everydayer… and you’re honest about your approach and your professional with the way you eat, the way you drink, the way you live. The way you live away from the rink. It shows when you come to the rink and the fans appreciate who you are. If you don’t wanna be like that… if you don’t wanna be part of the Maple Leafs that’s fine too. All you do is you go see Shanny.” (Sportsnet)"

To me, this quote is the most important thing that Babcock has said since joining the Toronto Maple Leafs and I’ve used it in several of my columns.

It’s more than just a quote though; he was telling everybody that he knew that there was a problem in this dressing room and he wasn’t about to put up with it.

It was up to the players how they were going to respond. On Tuesday, we found out how at least one player took Babcock’s message when much-maligned forward Nazem Kadri posted this video on twitter.

Kadri was suspended three games by the organization this past March after missing a team meeting though Brendan Shanahan made it clear that the suspension was about more than just that. My take; it’s good to see that Kadri is taking the upcoming season seriously. This is a make it or break it season for him (as a Leaf anyways) and it starts with his attitude. I am personally pulling for Naz to have a great year.

On the Leafs’ Defence Core…

A quick look at the big club’s group of defensemen shows a shortage of right-handed shots. At the moment, only Roman Polak and Stephane Robidas come from the right side meaning that at least one of the lefties will have to play their off side. In the past Dion Phaneuf has embraced the role and it would seem that he will probably be the logical choice here. Let’s look at how the club’s defence might look this season.

  • (L) Morgan Rielly…………..(R) Roman Polak
  • (L) Matt Hunwick…………..(R) Dion Phaneuf
  • (L) Jake Gardiner…………..(R) Stephane Robidas
  • (L) Martin Marincin

Jan 2, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) in the second period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Minnesota Wild win 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

There is also the possibility that one of Rielly, Gardiner, Hunwick, or Marincin could also switch over to the right side and I’m sure Mike Babcock will experiment in the pre-season. If you’re thinking that the AHL’s Marlies may be able to supply some right-handed relief well, think again.

A look at the Marlies’ projected 8-man defence this year shows the exact same problem that plagues the big club. T.J Brennan, Scott Harrington, Viktor Loov, Stuart Percy, Rinat Valiev, and Matt Finn are all left-handed shots leaving Petter Granberg and Tom Nilsson as the only righties. Granberg won’t even be an option until at least mid-October and probably longer after having surgery for a torn achilles.

On Cody Franson…

Almost three weeks after becoming an unrestricted free agent, the former Leaf defenceman has yet to sign with any of the 30 NHL teams. Many people have asked for my thoughts on Franson and the possibility of him returning to the blue and white.

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I’ll be very honest; I don’t believe that the Leafs are interested in Franson AT HIS ASKING PRICE which is believed to be somewhere around $5 million per season.

With that being said, I do believe that the Leafs would be interested in the 27-year old on a short-term deal at $4 million or less due to the fact that he’s a right-handed shot. The question is- will Franson agree to that amount for a chance to play for Babcock?

On “The Nonis Effect”…

Less than two weeks after the former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager joined the Ducks front office, soon to be 31-year old Ryan Kesler signed a six-year, $41.25-million contract extension. It didn’t take long for the “this has Nonis written all over it” tweets to start.

Geez… you sign ONE GUY to a long-term, big money contract (okay four guys) and everybody wants to crucify you! I wonder how long it takes for him to bring Clarkson to Anaheim?

Reader Mail…

The Question of the Week comes from reader Michael Diana who wanted to know why recent Leafs signing Nikita Soshnikov was not at this past weekend’s Prospects Camp in Collingwood.

An interesting omission from the (Leafs Prospects) camp was Nikita Soshnikov. Do you know why he wasn’t invited and do you think this means he’s guaranteed a Marlies job or possibly a shot at the NHL roster come training camp? (If he doesn’t have any remaining years with his KHL contract)

The 21-year old Soshnikov was signed to a 3-year entry level contract back in March. The young russian forward was actually supposed to attend the Prospects Camp but, according to Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun, couldn’t make it likely due to a travel-related paperwork issue. It’s expected that he will be at training camp in September but will more than likely spend next season with the Marlies.

That’s if for this week! Send me your questions and you may see your name in the “reader mail” section of a future edition of Monday Morning Leaf Points. I also accept and appreciate comments, opinions, and hate mail at:retoronto71@gmail.com or hit me up on Twitter @robb_ellis

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Until next Monday… KEEP IT BLUE!

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