Toronto Maple Leafs: Thoughts on Toronto Marlies Signing Six Players

As the AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, it is important to keep up with what the Toronto Marlies are doing. They recently signed four players and re-signed two others. All of these players add depth to the organization.

Not every decision made by the Marlies affects the Toronto Maple Leafs, but their players could one day help out in the NHL. As an organization, you can never have too much depth. A player could go on a hot streak at any moment, and they need to be ready for when they get called up to the NHL.

Having depth within your organization is helpful in more than one way. Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas might be required to trade a prospect or two in trades to improve his team. When players from the Toronto Marlies roster are involved in a deal, others on the team must be ready to fill that gap.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be making a few changes to their lineup. Due to the salary cap, Dubas won’t be able to bring back everyone from last year’s team. Some changes could be a call-up to the NHL for a player or two from the Marlies. One of these new additions the Marlies added could fill the void left by a player promoted to the NHL.

Newest Players to the Toronto Maple Leafs AHL Affiliate

Here is a look at each of the six players recently signed or re-signed by the Toronto Marlies. Each player is now part of the Toronto Maple Leafs  depth for the following season.

Luke Cavallin

On June 6th, the Toronto Marlies announced the signing of goaltender Luke Cavallin to a two-year AHL contract. The 21-year-old Cavallin is from Swindon, Great Britain, but is a British-born Canadian. His father, Mark Cavallin, was born in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

Luke Cavallin posted a 36-14-4 record in 56 games with the Flint Firebirds of the OHL. He finished the season with a .910 SV% and a 3.16 GAA.
(Stats from eliteprospects.com)

Noel Hoefenmayer

On June 16th, the Toronto Marlies announced the re-signing of Noel Hoefenmayer. The 23-year-old is a 6’0, 192 Lbs left shooting defenseman from North York, Ontario, Canada. He recorded 13 goals and 27 assists for 40 points in 46 games last season with the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL. Hoefenmayer also picked up four goals and 12 assists in 19 playoff games.

He appeared in eight games with the Marlies and recorded three assists. He was originally drafted 108th overall in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Arizona Coyotes.

Matteo Pietroniro

Matteo Pietroniro was also announced on June 16th as re-signing with the Toronto Marlies. The 23-year-old is a 6’1, 185 Lbs left shooting defenseman from Boise, Idaho, USA. He recorded five goals and 22 assists for 27 points in 59 games with the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL. Pietroniro also picked up three assists in 19 playoff games for the Growlers.

He spent three games with the Toronto Marlies last season but did not register a point. Pietroniro is an undrafted player.

Orrin Centazzo

Orrin Centazzo is a 22-year-old Left-Winger from Marwayne, Alberta, Canada. The Marlies announced his signing on June 18th, along with the signing of two others.

He recorded 28 goals and 23 assists for 51 points in 51 games with the Newfoundland Growlers. Centazzo was fourth overall in goals (28) amongst ECHL rookies. In 18 playoff games, Centazzo recorded eight goals and seven assists for 15 points.

Marc Johnstone

Marc Johnstone is a 25-year-old Right-Winger from Cranford, New Jersey, USA. He recorded seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points in 58 games with the Growlers last season.

Johnstone also registered eight points in 19 playoff games during the ECHL postseason. He spent four games with the Marlies last season but did not register a point.

Keenan Suthers

Keenan Suthers is a large 6’8, 245 Lbs 24-year-old Left-Winger from Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada. Last season he recorded five goals and eight assists for 13 points in 30 games with the University of Maine in the NCAA.

We will find out soon enough where all six of these players fit within the Toronto Maple Leafs depth chart. For now, let’s hope they have a productive 2022-23 season with the Toronto Marlies.