Toronto Maple Leafs: Leafs Loss is Marlies Win

Ok, hear me out. Hypothetically speaking, let’s say the Toronto Maple Leafs drop Monday’s game against the Boston Bruins, thus putting a premature end to their otherwise promising season.

How can it be spun in a positive light?

Believe it or not, some good CAN come from elimination. Yes, the series is far from over. But, as Leafs fans, preparing ourselves for the worst possible outcome is the most prudent course of action.

We should know that by now.

Again, I must stress that this is completely hypothetical. With that said, here’s how a Leafs loss can produce a silver lining.

In short, it turns the Toronto Marlies into unstoppable behemoths.

Depth

A first-round exit sends the trio of Travis Dermott, Andreas Johnsson and Kasperi Kapanen on a one-way trip back to the AHL, joining a Marlies roster already stacked to the rafters with talent.

Adding three bonafide superstars on top of that is the stuff of nightmares.

Of the three, Dermott’s return may end up being the warmest.

The Marlies blueline has sorely missed Dermott following his January 24th call-up, a detail his coach has publicly acknowledged on multiple occasions.

The distinct type of minute eating, two-way presence he added was a primary factor fuelling the Marlies’ blistering start to the year. Such a presence was one they were unable to recapture without him, even with Andreas Borgman‘s entering the fray a week later.

In fact, having Dermott back for a playoff run is a boost so positive, it’s downright unquantifiable.

Without Dermott, the Marlies have already solidified their status as the consensus Calder Cup favourites. With him, however, you might as well just hand them the trophy tomorrow.

Regarding player deployment, the trio shakes up the Marlies lines, painting a picture looking something like this:

Forwards:

Johnsson-Aaltonen-Kapanen

Moore-Mueller-Grundstrom

Smith-Gauthier-Greening

Marchment-Brooks-Bracco

Extra: Engvall

Defence: 

Dermott-Holl

Marincin-Liljegren

Borgman-Rosen

Power Play

Good lord is that deep.

Prior to their promotions, Sheldon Keefe had consciously shied away from playing both Kapanen and Johnsson together, opting instead to spread the wealth across the lineup. With threats the likes of Carl Grundstrom and Pierre Engvall now at his disposal, Keefe would find himself in a position to stack his top line at will, all without sacrificing depth.

Most importantly, a Kapanen and Johnsson return likely revitalizes a floundering Marlies powerplay.

Despite finishing as the AHL’s top point-getters, the Marlies ranked a mere 13th in PP percentage league-wide at just 18%, a puzzling development considering the offensive talent on board. These issues boiled over during yesterday’s Game One overtime victory versus the Utica Comets, as the team went an abysmal one-for-seven on the man advantage, before finally converting for the winning tally.

A top power-play unit of Kapanen, Johnsson, Grundstrom, Miro Aaltonen and Timothy Liljegren has no choice but to score. There is simply too much talent between them not to.

Obviously, the best case scenario for Leafs Nation is an epic Game Seven vanquishing of the Bruins, followed then by a deep run at the Stanley Cup.

Although, as you chew your fingernails down to the bone watching the Leafs claw their way back from the brink, knowing a silver lining exists amongst the clouds may provide you comfort. I know it will for the Marlies.

Next: Adam Brooks and Progress

Thanks for reading!