The Toronto Maple Leafs likely won’t be making any big splashes until the Stanley Cup Final is over, but they did make some minor moves this weekend.
The Toronto Maple Leafs affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, announced the signing of three players to AHL contracts yesterday.
Orrin Centazzo, Marc Johnstone, and Keenan Suthers.
Two of those players had already been in the organization, playing with the Newfoundland Growlers last season.
Both Centazzo and Johnstone played the majority of last year with the Growlers, Johnstone also got four games with the Marlies as well. Suthers played last year with the University of Maine in the NCAA. He formerly played at St. Lawrence University.
So, what do we know about these players? What could these signings mean? (stats and info from eliteprospects.com ).
Toronto Maple Leafs/ Marlies Sign Three Players to AHL Contracts
Orrin Centazzo, LW
The undersized winger impressed in his first professional season scoring 28 goals and 23 assists for 51 points in 51 games for the Growlers. This put him fourth in U-22 scoring by points per game in the ECHL. Standing at only 5-8 and163 lbs, Centazzo definitely has his work cut out for him to make the NHL. However, the early signs seem at least promising for 22-year old and clearly Ryan Hardy agrees.
Marc Johnstone, RW
In his first season in the organization, his first full one as a professional, Johnstone scored seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points in 58 games for the Growlers. This extension likely means he’ll be back with in Newfoundland next season. At 26 years old, the likelihood of Johnstone making the NHL are slim but it’s always good to shore up your depth, even in the AHL.
Keenan Suthers, LW
Suthers played for the University of Maine last year, there he featured in 30 games scoring five goals and eight assists for 13 points. His numbers aren’t eye-popping but what is, is his size. At a whopping 6-8 and 245lbs, he would be tied for the largest player in the organization, next to Curtis Douglas. Watching some highlights of Suthers, it’s clear why the Marlies might be interested.
Despite his low production, he does seem to have some raw skills necessary to be a good player at the AHL/ECHL level. If he can grow and develop as Curtis Douglas has, it could be a big deal for the Marlies and possibly the Maple Leafs down the road.
Not major news by any stretch, but it’s still important to track the depth of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.