Toronto Marlies Notebook: (Un)Arrested Development
Developmental Prowess
As the Marlies continue to amass heaps of statistical success, it’s easy to forget about the underlying responsibility of this team, that being player development.
The AHL, while still considered to be the world’s second-highest level of pro hockey (I’m sure the KHL will have something to say about that), remains, at its core a “developmental league”.
Well, it seems as if we can chalk up development as yet another aspect in which the Marlies pace the league. And nothing shines a more flattering light on an organization’s prowess in that department quite like going up against the Laval Rocket.
For all the shortcomings of the Montreal Canadiens organization, and there certainly are plenty, it’s an overwhelming dearth of promising young talent that stands above all.
Teenage Wasteland
Remember last year’s trade deadline? Reportedly, the Habs were right in the middle of the Matt Duchene sweepstakes.
Colorado was allegedly willing to part with their former-star, but only for a package consisting of draft picks, a roster player and a blue-chip prospect. And, that blue-chipper was none other than Montreal’s 21-year-old winger Michael McCarron, a former first-round pick.
A calendar year later, and it’s mind-boggling to think of McCarron ever being that highly touted.
Aside from a first-period fight with Andrew Nielsen (of course) coming after going down 3-0, McCarron was invisible. Frankly, so was the rest of his team.
Needless to say, that does not bode well for the Habs future moving forward.
What Happened?
In September, I watched defensive prospect Noah Juulsen tear up the rookie tournament.
The youngster carried himself with the level of on-ice composure befitting of a borderline NHL talent. On Saturday, he was a non-factor.
Remember Charlie Lindgren? You know, the same goaltender who strung together back-to-back shutouts in the NHL as a rookie earlier this season?
Lindgren was the sole factor keeping Montreal’s head somewhat above water when Carey Price went down with his annual injury. Seven Marlies goals later, and you could have fooled me.
This highlights the gap which separates an organization on the rise, the Leafs, and the one headed in the complete opposite direction, the Habs.
Not only are is Toronto perched 15 points up on a playoff spot, but they’re also sitting atop a bonafide treasure trove of young talent. Studs the likes of Jeremy Bracco, Timothy Liljegren, and Garret Sparks are not only showing they belong at the pro level.
If they keep this up, they’ll be NHL ready sooner than later.
The Canadiens, meanwhile, are a lottery team with a farm system so bare, you’d think locusts had just decimated their crops. And don’t give me the Marc Bergevin excuse of “we only get to pick first rounders in the 20-30 spots”.
That’s a bunch of malarkey.
Bracco was a second-rounder. So was Travis Dermott. Sparks and Andreas Johnsson were both seventh rounders. Adam Brooks, who is making positive strides, was picked in the fourth.
You don’t need a lottery pick to build a good farm system. Just ask the Oilers.
What you do need, however, is intelligent scouts to compliment a solid developmental system. Toronto has both of those things, while Montreal has none.
Vive la Habitent!