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The Toronto Marlies Notebook: A Tale of Two Teams

By Mike Stephens

TORONTO, ON - MAY 15: The Toronto Marlies celebrate a 3rd period goal against the Syracuse Crunch during game 6 action in the Division Final of the Calder Cup Playoffs on May 15, 2017 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Marlies beat the Crunch 2-1 to tie the series 3-3. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 15: The Toronto Marlies celebrate a 3rd period goal against the Syracuse Crunch during game 6 action in the Division Final of the Calder Cup Playoffs on May 15, 2017 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Marlies beat the Crunch 2-1 to tie the series 3-3. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /
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WINDSOR, ON – MAY 19: Forward Jeremy Bracco
WINDSOR, ON – MAY 19: Forward Jeremy Bracco /

Jeremy Bracco

In the first notebook, I suggested the Marlies had scratched Jeremy Bracco to provide him with the opportunity to observe the nuances of the professional game from a unique vantage point. Initially, this strategy seemed to work, as Bracco found the scoresheet in just his 2nd AHL game.

However, despite his otherwise encouraging performance, Bracco was listed as a scratch for both of the Marlies weekend games. Now, they were playing back to back, meaning reinforcements to relieve fatigued players were inevitably coming. Unfortunately, Bracco wasn’t deployed, and that is undoubtedly troubling.

A young player of Bracco’s ilk needs to experience tangible game action in order to develop an offensive rhythm. Failing to crack the lineup, even on the tail end of back-to-backs, suggests something unbeknownst to the public may be brewing behind closed doors. That something cannot be good for Bracco. If this truly is the case, then he is perilously close to failing the first true test he’s been given at the professional level.

At least four wingers currently on the Marlies roster rank above Bracco on the Leafs depth chart. He needs to get his stuff together quick, or risk being forgotten.

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