Toronto Maple Leafs: Calle Rosen Has Earned His Shot

A promotion to the Toronto Maple Leafs has been a long time coming for Calle Rosen.

Rosen’s North American introduction couldn’t have been an easy one back in 2017. Having spent the prior three seasons playing for his hometown Vaxjo HC of the SHL, the then-24-year-old made what can only be considered as the biggest professional leap of his career, signing with the Maple Leafs and moving across the globe for a chance to play against hockey’s toughest competition.

That chance, initially, lasted all of four games.

With Rosen struggling to contribute in just 12:47 of average nightly ice time on the Leafs’ third pairing, the organization had no choice but to jettison him down to the Toronto Marlies on October 23rd, 2017 as a means of simplifying his acclimation process.

The move was a necessary one.

Perhaps the largest hurdle for any European import – save for the culture shock of an entirely foreign continent – is adjusting to the smaller North American ice sheets. Doing so requires a complete recalibration of instincts previously built over a lifetime learning the game, something which ultimately proved to be a challenge for Rosen, whose game relies heavily on movement and acute positioning.

This demotion, while likely taken as a disappointment at the time, was undoubtedly the best thing to ever happen to his career.

It didn’t come overnight, but as Rosen’s role on the Marlies’ blueline slowly began to grow, so did his confidence. In stark contrast to his prior NHL audition, Rosen simply looked comfortable amongst his surroundings, and as the season wore on, the smaller confines of his new playing surface gradually became his new normal.

It wasn’t until Travis Dermott’s departure via mid-season call-up to the Maple Leafs, however, that vaunted Rosen into taking a definitive next step. Assuming the vacant role of Marlies’ top defenceman, Rosen grabbed the reigns on the backend and never looked back.

All which has happened since has laid the foundation for his inevitable reward.

With Rosen now expected to join the Maple Leafs on Monday to play his first NHL game in over 17 months, it’s important to recognize the effort and growth which led him back to this moment.

Carrying over the from a phenomenal showing throughout the Marlies’ 2018 playoff run, Rosen’s second spin in North America thus far has seen him become arguably the AHL’s top defenceman, dwarfing his prior offensive totals in a shorter timeframe (22 points in 62 games in 2017-18 compared to this current season’s 46 points in 54 games) while playing a featured role on both Marlies’ special team units.

Nearly every facet of Rosen’s game has flourished from last season to this.

His shot selection, once the most glaring blemish in his skill set, now mercifully favours quality over quantity. Rosen’s gap control is tighter. His presence in the corners, where he previously failed to create separation against opposing forwards, is night and day. Rosen’s shot is harder; his release quicker. His ability to successfully distribute the puck from the point has turned the Marlies’ power play into the fourth most efficient unit league-wide, and Rosen’s fluid skating stride is responsible for his establishment as an elite puck mover at the AHL level.

This isn’t merely a case of stat-padding against inferior competition. The strides that Rosen has taken following his first taste of NHL action are entirely tangible, the kind which translate well to the level above.

Rosen may not be “The Saviour™” most hope him to be given the current state of the Leafs’ blueline. But his arrival will be intriguing to watch nonetheless and, if momentum carries, Rosen may prove to be a valuable addition to this Leafs roster as they head into a pivotal postseason.

Regardless of expectations, however, one thing is certain; Rosen’s earned his shot.

Thanks for reading!

Stats courtesy of hockeydb.com & theahl.com