The Toronto Maple Leafs brightest and best prospects kicked off the NHL Rookie Tournament Friday night with a 5-2 loss at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens.
Despite the loss, the game produced a plethora of notable takeaways regarding those who took part in the action. And luckily for you, dear reader, I just so happened to be in attendance.
So, without further adieu, here are some of my thoughts.
Keep an Eye on J.J.
In a game littered with marquee prospects, it was former London Knights captain J.J. Piccinich who stole the show. Piccinich proved himself to be an absolute force in both the offensive and defensive end, with specific praise directed to his work on the penalty kill.
With the Leafs down a man early in the second period, Piccinich, through nothing but sheer will and determination, burned off the first 30 seconds singlehandedly. His relentless pursuit of the puck rendered the Habs’ breakout attempts completely fruitless.
Piccinich may not be considered a blue-chip prospect, but he is certainly making a case for himself as someone with NHL potential. In Piccinich, the Leafs very well may have found their next Connor Brown.
Kasimir Killed it
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Kasimir Kaskisuo happens to be another solid Leafs prospect who seemingly flies under-the-radar. Cast in the shadow of Garret Sparks and Antoine Bibeau in years past, Kaskisuo has quietly worked to establish himself as a promising young goalie.
To great success, Kaskisuo assumed the Marlies starting job in the AHL playoffs last year, taking over for a floundering Bibeau. If the other night bared any indication, he has carried that success into this season.
Kaskisuo was simply phenomenal between the pipes on Friday. He looked poised and composed, specifically weathering a flurry of Montreal chances early on. Specifically, Kaskisuo made two separate saves that – were this a regular season game – would undoubtedly be in contention for “save of the year” honours.
In the end, he clearly presented the Leafs with the best chance to win, something they ended up failing to do once he was removed from the game.
With Garret Sparks as the consensus choice for placing third on the goaltending depth chart, Kaskisuo has firmly entered the conversation himself.
Pleasant Surprises
Two players whose performances served as a pleasant surprise came from forwards Martins Dzeirkals and Vladimir Bobylev.
Dzeirkals ended up scoring, showcasing a stealth-like burst of speed to pair with his above average shot. His goal resulted from a botched play, with the puck squirting out to him in the slot, which he immediately buried. Coming off an impressive showing for Latvia at the World Junior Championship, Dzeirkals is a prospect Leafs fan should keep an eye on this year.
Interestingly, Bobylev impressed me far more than I ever expected. Bobylev’s success occurred in the subtle moves he made around the puck. His fantastic stick control was something that stood out to me in particular.
Bobylev has a long stick, which he uses it to his advantage. In breaking up passes in the defensive zone, it also allows him to limit the gap between him and the attacker. While not a flashy prospect by any means, Bobylev plays a solid, nuanced game and that warrants mention.
Liljegren Stumbles
With all eyes on North America debut the other night, Timothy Liljegren struggled mightily. Unfortunately, he happened to be on for four goals against. The most egregious of them being highlighted by a direct giveaway in front of his net that turned into a goal seconds later.
Perhaps what surprised me the most about Liljegren’s game was how tentative he looked, never truly seeming comfortable on the ice. His engagement on the defensive side was slightly delayed, and he repeatedly happened to be a step behind the play on more than one occasion.
Yet, it was certainly not ALL bad for Big Time Timmy. Struggles are expected from any 18-year-old defenseman, especially one playing for the first time on North American ice. In spite of his defensive lapses, Liljegren’s offensive tools were on full display.
His skating was sublime, demonstrating a fluid stride which allowed him to reach top speed in a matter of seconds. And boy, can this kid shoot the puck. Liljegren’s wrist shot from the point is absolutely lethal. Such a tool will certainly exist as a staple on Leaf power plays for years to come.
While ultimately disappointing, Liljegren’s debut reassured fans that his fantastic offensive tools remain embedded within him. As is the case with any rookie defenceman, patience will be required.
Final Thought
It is important to remember that this is a rookie tournament and not a regular season game. The results drawn from this tournament absolutely should not be extrapolated into a snap judgment of a players future. It simply exists as a chance for prospects to gain their stride and showcase their skills for scouts and fans alike.
Yes, Liljegren had a subpar performance. That, in no way, dictates that he is a bad player, in the same way, J.J. Piccinich’s positive performance doesn’t establish him as a lock to make the NHL.
Regardless, folks, hockey is back.