Toronto Maple Leafs: The Marlies Have a Crowded Blueline

The Toronto Maple Leafs are not the only team in the family with decisions to make on the back end.

The Toronto Marlies’ stellar forwards may have been handed the most praise last season, and rightfully so, but it’s the blueline that materialized as the team’s most valuable asset, exhibiting nearly all attributes expected from a modern defence group.

How else can one describe their depth other than unprecedented?

The calibre of NHL talent harboured by the Marlies was borderline unfair. Of the 6 defencemen who hit the ice on opening night, 3 of them – Travis Dermott, Justin Holl, and Rinat Valiev – logged NHL minutes at some point down the line, with later arrivals from Martin Marincin, Andreas Borgman, and Calle Rosen inflating that group even further.

In most cases, AHL depth of this particular magnitude is fleeting, a flash in the pan that’s inevitably snuffed out by the league’s massive personnel turnover.

Only, these Marlies are different.

14 different defencemen suited up for the team in 2017-18. And as of August 11th, a whopping 9 are contracted to return to the organization in some capacity, accompanied by competition in the form of summer acquisitions and recent draft picks.

While a number of returnees may be best to skip camp altogether and report directly to Newfoundland, there’s still a glut of otherwise worthy talent fighting for limited spots.

How does this all shake out?

The answers will likely be found in how the team handles their trio of 2018 draft picks.

Sandin

In the Leafs’ most recent draft class, they selected three defencemen who could all wind up on the Marlies next season.

Rasmus Sandin, Sean Durzi, and Mac Hollowell are all currently eligible to play in the AHL, creating speculation as to the whereabouts of their respective landing spots.

As always, there are many factors at play here. What may be the most optimal path for a certain player doesn’t necessarily apply across the board, as attention must be paid to each one.

Let’s start with Sandin.

I’ve written previously on the benefits of Sandin making the early jump to the pros, following in the footsteps of fellow countryman Timothy Liljegren from the year prior.

Only in this case, the circumstances are noticeably different.

Jumping directly into the AHL was the best course of action for Liljegren, albeit only at that particular time. As an RHD, he was in the position to receive the necessary amount of ice time capable of fostering real growth, with only Holl and Vincent LoVerde higher on the depth chart.

Sandin is a left shot, a position of organizational surplus which leaves him buried in a pile of veteran options. Were he to join the Marlies this season, there’s no guarantee he’d even be a regular in the lineup.

How much would a seat in the press box really help his development?

Not to mention, Sandin is only 18, young enough to benefit from either facing grown men in the SHL or playing another year in Sault St. Marie. The kid has options, none of which would noticeably harm his progression.

Durzi and Hollowell, on the other hand, have no such luxury.

Durzi & Hollowell

Being over-agers, a return to junior would be largely redundant for the pair of right shots. And whereas Liljegren benefitted from his handedness, the Marlies now possess a markedly different roster presenting markedly different opportunities.

Liljegren and LoVerde will almost certainly occupy the right side’s top-4, with Jordan Subban rounding out the third pair. This leaves only one lineup spot remaining, 7th D, and plenty of suitors fighting over it.

For argument’s sake, let’s say it’s Holl who jumps to the Leafs out of camp, shaping the Marlies D corps into the form of:

Marincin – Liljegren 

Rosen – LoVerde

Borgman – Subban

Who’s left? Well, Andrew Nielsen not only played 65 games over the course of 2017-18, he was in the lineup for game seven of the Calder Cup Final. It’s unlikely that Nielsen winds up as a depth casualty in the ECHL.

There’s also Jesper Lindgren. Remember him? I certainly won’t blame you if you don’t, as many have already forgotten Lindgren signed an ELC all the way back in June, hinting at him being a factor in the organization’s future.

His status sits up in the air at the moment, what with another year left on his deal with HPK of Finland’s Liiga, but the 21-year-old indeed experienced a brief stint with the Marlies down the stretch last season and could undoubtedly benefit from a full year of the North American game.

Oh, and we can’t forget Igor Ozhiganov, who I won’t even pretend to know anything about.

So, where does this all lead?

Outcome

AHL rosters have no limit, a rule put in place for good reason.

The schedule routinely offers up stretches of three games in three nights, leaving teams in desperate need of reinforcements to avoid suffering from burnout or injury. In theory, the Marlies could carry as many players as they want, plugging them in whenever they please.

Then again, the AHL’s official designated is as a developmental league, and sitting young players long for stretches at a time defeats the purpose entirely. Even if their quality of competition lacks somewhat, it’s better to have your prospects playing regularly than not playing at all.

Regarding Sandin, his camp has long hinted towards a return to Sweden next season. A path which is, quite honestly, perfectly fine. Not only would this allow Sandin to sharpen his skills against grown men, it opens the door for him to hop over to the Marlies on a PTO in March.

Simple as pie.

As for Durzi and Hollowell, they’re a different story.

Lindgren is expected to return to Liiga for one final year, and if I were a betting man, I’m putting my money on Durzi sticking with the Marlies while Hollowell returns to junior.

Hollowell clearly has the more raw game of the two, meaning another year in the CHL wouldn’t hurt him quite as much as it would Durzi. He’d almost certainly re-join the Greyhounds as a top-pairing option in lieu of Sandin’s departure, gaining the confidence that comes from playing in a featured role.

Also, and you didn’t hear this from me, I’ve been told Kyle Dubas has a special connection with Sault St. Marie. It’s not like Hollowell would be out of reach.

Which brings us to Durzi. He won’t play every night, not with the Marlies’ current depth, but that doesn’t mean the former second-rounder won’t be given his chances. Veterans, LoVerde comes to mind, will be given games off, allowing Durzi to slide in as a replacement.

The Growlers are an option as well, although I’m of the belief that Durzi would benefit most from being challenged by the significant leap in competition between levels.

Regardless of how this all plays out, Sheldon Keefe has his work cut out for him once September rolls around.

Thanks for reading!