Toronto Maple Leafs: The Final Roster Spot

Apr 15, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward matt Frattin (39) tries to control the puck without one glove as New Jersey Devils defenseman Mark Fayne (29) chases during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

1. Matt Frattin

This is a very important season for Matt Frattin. After returning to the organization last January in a trade for Jerry D’Amigo, Frattin showed up for training camp doing his best invisible man impression. He was rewarded with a trip to Ricoh Centre and a job with the Marlies. After a slow start, Frattin found his stride, eventually finding his way onto the team’s top scoring line along with William Nylander and Byron Froese.

The result was a decent season in which he had 26 goals and 48 points in 59 games. Frattin will turn 28 on January 3 and is no longer looked at as a “prospect.” He will have to come into camp with a chip on his shoulder and the drive that was missing last September. There really is no excuse if he doesn’t. Frattin must play every shift in the exhibition games like he’s playing for his NHL life because well, he probably is! If he does, then he may just impress Babcock enough to grab that final spot.

2. Rich Clune

The one thing against Clune in his quest to once again skate in the NHL is the fact that he was signed to an AHL contract. In order to make the Maple Leafs, he will have to impress Babcock enough to convince new general manager Lou Lamoriello to offer him an NHL deal. Clune is an “energy” guy who doesn’t shy away from contact or the odd fight.

It would be wise of him to bring everything he has in order to score a role as an agitator with Babcock’s new Leafs. Unfortunately, it sometimes comes down to a numbers game. The Leafs can only have a maximum of 50 players signed to NHL contracts. If the numbers don’t fit, Clune will remain a Marlie. If we do see Clune, it seems more likely to be towards the end of the season after the club starts dealing assets for picks.

3. Zach Hyman

The Hyman story is very intriguing. The Leafs picked him up in a trade with the Florida Panthers back on June 19 for Greg McKegg and a conditional 7th-round pick. Hyman spent the past 4 seasons playing at Michigan University where he played for coach Gordon “Red” Berenson, a veteran of 987 NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues.

Berenson taught Hyman to be a complete player by easing him into his Top 6 role at Michigan. Hyman responded by scoring 22 goals and 54 points in just 37 games this past season and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. An intriguing side note- Berenson and new Leaf coach Mike Babcock are very good friends.

“When I talk to Red, things just make sense to me,” Babcock said in a in a 2009 interview with the Ann Arbor News. “I don’t know what I offer him, if anything. The first thing is, we have a friendship. We’re two guys who love the outdoors and love hockey. He’s a man I have a ton of respect for, and love being around.”

You can bet that Babcock and Berenson have had more than one conversation about Hyman over the past month and he will surely get a good look at training camp. Hyman looked great at Leafs Prospects Camp up in Collingwood earlier this month and was carrying a noticeable amount of muscle on his 6’1 frame. He was also wearing his familiar number 11 which he wore at Michigan and also with the Hamilton Red Wings where he was named the CJHL Player of the Year back in 2011.

The only question is, will Toronto want him to spend at least one season with the AHL’s Marlies before making the jump to pro? I’m sure Hyman plans to make that decision a tough one.

Next: Final Spot Players 4-6