Editor In Leaf
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs: What You Need to Know for the Marlies Season

By Kyle Cushman

LAVAL, QC - MARCH 08: Head coach of the Toronto Marlies Sheldon Keefe looks on from behind the bench against the Laval Rocket during the AHL game at Place Bell on March 8, 2019 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Marlies defeated the Laval Rocket 3-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
LAVAL, QC - MARCH 08: Head coach of the Toronto Marlies Sheldon Keefe looks on from behind the bench against the Laval Rocket during the AHL game at Place Bell on March 8, 2019 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Marlies defeated the Laval Rocket 3-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Toronto Maple Leafs
LAVAL, QC – DECEMBER 22: Jeremy Bracco #27 of the Toronto Marlies skates against the Laval Rocket during the AHL game at Place Bell on December 22, 2018 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Marlies defeated the Laval Rocket 2-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Players to Watch

There are plenty of players to key in on for this season with the number of new names in the lineup, but it’s one of the returning players that offer the most intrigue to me.

Jeremy Bracco

Jeremy Bracco’s team-leading 79 points were not enough to get him onto the NHL squad. It’s eye-opening when Trevor Moore (0.85 PPG) and Dmytro Timashov (0.68 PPG) make the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Marlies reigning leading scorer.

For Bracco, the 2019-20 season is all about his 5v5 play and defensive capabilities. We all know Bracco is an incredible powerplay specialist, but he offers little value to the Toronto Maple Leafs if he doesn’t round out his game elsewhere. Simply put, Bracco is often a neutral presence at 5v5 due to his defensive deficiencies. This season is make or break in the Leafs organization, as without a first-round pick, Bracco could easily be dealt for an upgrade on the big club if the Leafs feel he isn’t developing to a standard that will help them in 2020-21.

Joseph Woll

A new name to keep an eye on is in net, with third-round pick Joseph Woll. Woll begins the season as Kasimir Kakisuo’s backup but will likely split starts with the Finnish netminder. Coming out of Boston College, Woll ranks as the top prospect joining the Marlies this season and a big year could boost his stock exponentially.

At 21 years of age, the hope is one of Woll or Ian Scott will develop into an NHL goaltender by the time Frederik Andersen‘s contract expires before 2021-22. That begins this season, with both turning pro and battling for minutes.

To start the season, Scott is injured and Woll has the opportunity to grab the job and run with it. Despite Kaskisuo’s fantastic playoff run where he posted a .927 save percentage, he still faltered heavily in the regular season. Kaskisuo’s job as the Marlies number one option is far from set in stone and Woll has the talent to steal the gig.

His collegiate numbers may not be gaudy, but Woll has been one of the most consistent goaltenders in the NCAA over the past three seasons. Last season’s stats are especially impressive, as on the worst Boston College team Woll played on, he posted his highest career save percentage.

With Toronto’s uncertain future in goal, Woll is one of the new additions to the Marlies you must keep an eye on.

Hudson Elynuik

This pick may seem off the board, but Elynuik represents much more than a flier taken on a WHL standout. Elynuik is set to become the Newfoundland Growlers first full-time graduate to the Marlies, a big step one season into the relationship the two teams have.

Check out Editor in Leaf’s recent article on Kyle Dubas’ vision for the ECHL and how the Growlers are being utilized this season to develop Toronto Maple Leafs prospects for a better look into why Elynuik is a player you should pay attention to, less for his own ability and more for what the organization is looking to do with the Growlers.

Home/Editorials