Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Options Author
That is extra prefer it.
The Toronto Marlies are off to a 7-1-2-1 begin, placing them in early place for a chase for first place that can deliver again recollections for followers who bear in mind the crew taking 5 North Division titles in seven years between 2011-12 and 2017-18. That stretch completed with Toronto outlasting the Texas Stars in a seven-game prize battle for the 2018 Calder Cup championship.
Since then, nonetheless, the Marlies have solely gained one regular-season division title; after conquering the North in 2022-23, Toronto slipped again to a fifth-place end and a first-round playoff exit final season.
Now in his second season as head coach, John Gruden has his membership in early place for an additional fruitful marketing campaign. However the postseason continues to be 5 months away. This time of 12 months is about organising the parameters for achievement that may make a prolonged playoff run potential.
Wonderful special-teams play is one such key pillar. Early on, Toronto ranks third in each power-play (25.0 p.c) and penalty-killing (90.2 p.c) effectivity.
Goaltending is one other important, in fact, and the Marlies have had that piece as properly. Dennis Hildeby, who had a quick early stint with the Maple Leafs, has a .938 save share over his first two AHL begins this 12 months. Artur Akhtyamov, taken within the fourth spherical of the 2020 NHL Draft, is 4-0-1 with a 2.14 goals-against common and a .917 save share in 5 appearances. And two-time Stanley Cup champion Matt Murray has offered robust play in addition to mentorship. Goaltending like that may take a crew far.
Toronto earned three of a potential 4 factors throughout a go to to Charlotte final weekend, mounting third-period comebacks in each video games to file a 4-3 win on Saturday and a 5-4 additional time loss on Sunday.
“For them to nonetheless discover a method to get it accomplished, I’m happy with them,” Gruden stated in his post-game remarks.
Ahead Nikita Grebenkin, like Akhtyamov a 21-year-old over from the KHL, has made a swift adjustment to the AHL. The 2022 fifth-round draft decide has 9 factors (three objectives, six assists) by 11 video games and has rapidly change into a go-to possibility for Gruden, particularly on the ability play. Rookie Fraser Minten, a 2022 second-rounder and the topic of appreciable consideration in Toronto, made his season debut on the journey to Charlotte and scored his first skilled objective in final evening’s contest in Cleveland; he had been out since September with an ankle damage.
As at all times, Leafs administration has made positive to provide loads of expertise for the Marlies, a gaggle led by third-year captain Logan Shaw and final 12 months’s scoring chief Joseph Blandisi. Coming off a 27-goal season, fourth-year professional Alex Steeves earned himself a recall this week after scoring 9 objectives in his first 10 video games. Toronto additionally introduced in Alex Nylander on an AHL deal, and he has provided 5 objectives in his first 11 appearances. Matt Benning, who has performed 464 NHL video games, might change into an anchor on the blue line after being assigned to the Marlies this week; Benning was acquired from the San Jose Sharks in an Oct. 30 deal for Timothy Liljegren.
Now the Marlies return dwelling, opening a five-game homestand on Saturday afternoon when Belleville visits Scotiabank Enviornment, the Maple Leafs’ dwelling constructing. That recreation is the Dwell on Social Saturday AHL Recreation of the Week, streaming free on FloHockey’s Fb, X and YouTube accounts. Toronto has gained all 5 of its dwelling dates to date, outscoring opponents, 19-9.
Whereas the constructing continues, Gruden has come away happy together with his crew’s resolve, particularly after rallying the best way they did in Charlotte.
Mentioned Gruden, “We’ll take that each one day lengthy.”
On the American Hockey League beat for 20 years, TheAHL.com options author Patrick Williams additionally at the moment covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a daily contributor on SiriusXM NHL Community Radio. He was the recipient of the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for his excellent protection of the league in 2016.
