This offseason, the Toronto Marlies upgraded their roster. The 2 notable departures are Kieffer Bellows (Nashville Predators) and Josiah Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes). In any other case, Cameron Gaunce, Dylan Gambrell, Max Ellis, Dryden MacKay, and Luke Cavalin have moved on to make room for brand new faces.
Steve Sullivan is the one new addition to the workers, approaching board as an assistant coach after Wealthy Clune left for a training place with the Anaheim Geese. John Gruden is coming into his second season as head coach and faces two important challenges. First, he should change the workforce’s model. The gamers had been accustomed to a special model beneath Sheldon Keefe’s management, so it is going to be an adjustment. Second, Gruden should deal with a extra intensive and gifted roster, which is essential. Right here’s a deep dive into the Marlies’ roster and the way they may reside as much as expectations this season.
Marlies Forwards
Among the many forwards, Jacob Frasca, Mathieu Gosselin, Marko Sikic, and Ty Voit will start the season within the ECHL. Voit could also be known as up quickly resulting from his expertise. Braeden Kressler secured a roster spot with a formidable preseason efficiency, incomes 4 factors (one purpose, three assists). Sam Stevens and Matthew Barbolini will find yourself within the ECHL because the roster is narrowed down.
The management group will encompass captain Logan Shaw, Joseph Blandisi, and Kyle Clifford. The ahead group has many thrilling storylines, together with Nick Abruzzese and Alex Steeves. Neither is near breaking into the NHL and can work in direction of a contract extension with the workforce.
A lot is anticipated of Alex Nylander offensively, whereas Nikita Grebyonkin is coming into his rookie season after already profitable a Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) championship. He had a robust camp with the Maple Leafs however will likely be step by step launched to life within the AHL, seeing time on the third line with Cédric Paré and Joseph Blandisi, a trio able to contributing throughout the board.
Robert Mastrosimone and Zach Solow are coming off stable seasons and hope to proceed their success this yr. Jacob Quillan made a robust impression in ten video games on the finish of the 2023-24 marketing campaign. Roni Hirvonen recovered from a extreme eye harm and returned to the ice final yr. The 2020 second-round decide is diligent within the defensive zone, sustaining a excessive work ethic and demonstrating robust physique positioning retrieving the puck. He excels at anticipating performs, blocking passing and taking pictures lanes, and making defensive changes through the play. He’ll attempt to grow to be a daily top-six ahead and transfer up the workforce’s depth chart.
Rookie Ryan Tverberg was the Marlies’ standout performer final season. Sadly, his season was minimize brief by harm, so now he should show that his success wasn’t a fluke or solely resulting from his partnership with Bellows, who has since left. Fraser Minten additionally suffered an harm. Minten has proven nice development and improvement within the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Kamloops Blazers earlier than being traded to the Saskatoon Blazers. At 20 years previous, the Marlies are the very best stepping stone to proceed his development and work in direction of a spot with the Maple Leafs.
Marlies Defensemen
The Marlies ought to have a stable blue line this season. Topi Niemelä, Marshall Rifai, William Villeneuve, and Mikko Kokkonen are the projected high 4 defensemen. Rookies Cade Webber and Nicolas Mattinen will compete for taking part in time, together with Tommy Miller, Jacob Bengtsson, and Matteo Pietroniro. Rhett Parsons and Chas Sharpe have been reassigned to Cincinnati.
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At any time when he comes off the long-term injured reserve (LTIR), Dakota Mermis will present extra depth and expertise to the defensive lineup. Nonetheless, the well being and efficiency of the Maple Leafs’ protection will decide his time within the AHL.
Marlies Goaltending
The Marlies have loads of goaltending choices to start out the season. Dennis Hildeby made essentially the most of an early alternative with the massive membership, profitable his NHL debut in opposition to the New Jersey Devils. Assuming Joseph Woll’s harm will not be extreme, Hildeby would be the Marlies’ high goalie when Woll returns. Nonetheless, there may be intense competitors for taking part in time.
Artur Akhtyamov would undoubtedly be the backup with out Matt Murray within the lineup. I anticipate that Vyacheslav Peksa will likely be reassigned to Cincinnati for extra ice time, contemplating the crowded state of affairs within the crease when Hildeby returns. Nonetheless, for now, he’s on the Marlies’ opening-night roster.
The unknown is how Murray and probably Jon Gillies (PTO) match into the equation. Murray has one thing to show by way of well being and rebuilding confidence in his physique and kind. When will the group resolve that taking part in Murray means holding again the event of the younger prospects? Nonetheless, lots will rely on Woll’s well being, his timeline for return, and his efficiency upon returning. When Woll is wholesome and performing properly, count on Hideby to be returned to the Marlies.
Expectations Heading Into the Season
The Marlies had a disappointing 2023-24 season. They barely made the playoffs and had been rapidly eradicated by the Belleville Senators within the first spherical. Contemplating their roster depth, the workforce has excessive expectations for 2024-25. The Marlies had a 15-14-7 residence document final season however will attempt to enhance on that with 5 of their first six video games and a five-game homestand in November at Coca-Cola Coliseum.
If the Marlies don’t carry out properly early on, they may face difficulties within the new yr. In December, they may play six of ten video games on the highway. Then, from Jan. 10 to Feb. 1, they may play ten consecutive away video games, travelling for video games in opposition to the Syracuse Crunch, Utica Comets, Manitoba Moose, Bakersfield Condors, San Jose Barracuda, and San Diego Gulls.
After taking part in two video games in opposition to San Diego at residence to start out their season, Toronto will face divisional opponents in 9 of the next eleven video games. The Marlies’ depth ought to present insurance coverage throughout a congested begin. Toronto has seven video games in fifteen days, together with a three-in-three weekend.