Toronto Maple Leafs: Get Excited About the Marlies

2017-18 is currently shaping up to be a uniquely special season for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

With such potential success on the horizon, it’s completely understandable for the minor league team to be lost in the shuffle. I urge you, however, to not let that happen. If you identify as a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, or even the sport of hockey in general, ignoring what the Toronto Marlies are set to accomplish this season would be a big mistake.

Announcement

I am thrilled to announce that I will be covering the Toronto Marlies 2017-18 for Editor in Leaf.

More specifically, I’ll be covering their home games in person, and reporting on their road games from The 6ix. See, I’m still in university, so travelling with the team is most certainly off the table. Regardless, this is exciting for many reasons.

On a personal note, I am going to be reporting on a Toronto-based pro hockey team. That’s been my childhood dream ever since I learned how to read. I truly cannot wait to get started.

Most notably, I’m set to cover the Marlies for what will likely be their most exciting season as a franchise. With that said, I invite you to accompany me on this journey. If you happen to be on the fence about it, let me to convince you to reconsider.

Shifting Philosophy

Ever since Brendan Shannahan tore the Toronto Maple Leafs organizational reins from Dave Nonis and his band of merrily stupid men, the Marlies have undergone a shift in their organizational philosophy. As a fan, it’s easy to forget that the AHL is, at its core, a developmental league. And up until Shannaplan’s conception, the Marlies were just where Jeff Finger and Mike Komisarek played out the rest of their bloated contracts.

These days, the team is being utilized in a completely different way. The Marlies have put a significant emphasis on the development of their youth. Going off the early results, it seems to have worked out tremendously.

The likes of William Nylander, Zach Hyman and Connor Brown, each an integral part of the Leafs, have all plied their craft on the Marlies prior to breaking into the NHL. Up-and-comers like Kasperi Kappanen and Travis Dermott are currently undergoing a similar grooming.

The Toronto Maple Leafs AHL team has now been transformed into a place where young players can adjust to the pro game, resulting in them being far more prepared, when entering the NHL. This is a trend that is not only continuing into the upcoming season, it’s actually being cranked up to 11, Spinal Tap style.

Youth Invasion

If you happen to be the type of person who mutters “get off my lawn” at various points throughout the day, then you should probably avoid the 2017-18 Marlies. This team is going to be young, and, above all else, going to be fun.

Joining the roster are 20- somethings Jeremy Bracco, Nikita Korostelev, Martins Dzierkals, J.J. Piccinich, and Adam Brooks. That’s not even mentioning the potential inclusion of 18-year old Timothy Liljegren, whose settlement in Toronto is now seemingly inevitable.

Injecting these youngsters into a roster that’s already brimming with the youthful glow of Kappanen, Andreas Johnsson and Andrew Nielsen, amongst others, makes it one infantile squad.

That is so, unbelievably exciting. The majority of said players will inevitably fail to crack to the NHL. However, for those who do, fans will be provided with the golden opportunity to witness them blossom before their very eyes. So, when Liljegren develops into the second coming of Erik Karlsson, and unfairly loses a Norris Trophy to Drew Doughty, you’ll be able to say you saw him get to that level.

How cool is that?

Rolling in the Depth

The biggest question mark surrounding this year’s Marlies is actually a valid one. Just how are the Marlies going to fit everybody in their lineup? With the influx of new faces, guys who once occupied top line roles will now be forced into depth positions. Such a development is both good and bad.

Nowhere does this conundrum loom larger than over the D corps. Assuming that Dermott doesn’t make the Leafs, and Liljegren stays in Toronto, there is now a significant logjam on the back end. As of today, the hypothetical Marlies defence pairings are:

Dermott – Liljegren

Borgman – Holl

Nielsen – LoVerde

There are many interesting things about that lineup. Namely, Andrew Nielsen, whom Lou Lamoriello recently told TSN 1050 was, “knocking on the door of the NHL”, is now a bottom – six defenceman. Nielsen put up 39 points as a rookie. What a difference a year makes.

There’s also happens to be a significant name that is absent. This unnamed missing player has been a staple on Marlies rosters for several years. Can you guess who it is? Bingo, its Rinat Valiyev.

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Valiyev has occupied a lineup spot for each of the last three seasons, even at one point earning himself an extended NHL call up. This season, however, he finds himself outside the top-six.

Heated competition for spots, especially regarding the young players, will absolutely be a positive thing. Knowing that every second of ice-time needs to be earned will only fuel the work ethic of these players. I, for one, cannot wait to witness it myself.

Strap In

So, regardless of results, 2017-18 is destined to be the Toronto Marlies most fascinating season in years. To properly cover it, I will be producing a weekly “Marlies Notebook”. This series will detail the various happenings surrounding this young and exciting team.

Next: Five Prospects on the Cusp of Playing for the Leafs

Whether you choose to join me, or ignore me completely, be sure to keep one eye firmly fixated on the Marlies. I can assure you, you will not be disappointed.

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