Dale and Dido – Budding Buds

Two contrasts in Leafs prospects from the Memorial Cup with Chris Didomenico breaking his left femur, and the continued development of Dale Mitchell.


It’s truly amazing that aside from a six-game stretch in February 2008, “Dido” never went more than two games without a point (regular season and playoffs) in his entire Junior career with the Saint John Sea Dogs and Drummondville Voltigeurs.

The fine Alex Tran covered the injury to “Dido” that caused him to miss the Memorial Cup. Hovering with crutches in the shadows, his jersey hung behind the bench.

Across the way, Dale Mitchell the Maple Leafs 3rd round pick in 2007 (74th overall) came into his own as the tournament progressed, ended up tied for the tournament lead in goals (5), and lucky number seven overall (6-5-1-6), including a dramatic natural hat trick in a 6-4 win over Rimouski, scoring in a mere 3:37 span in the third period with a slick wrister, tenacity and perserverence banging in rebounds.

Add a beauty wrist shot from the faceoff circle in the Championship game and the will to put it away late in the third with a breakaway effort after beating Tyson Barrie to a loose puck, shooting it wide but drawing a penalty.

I’m not often a fan of smaller players, but the motor on this kid never quits, and he’s developing into an effective, useful forward, very similar to the effort and work ethic displayed by Carolina’s Chad LaRose – a growing favorite – only Mitchell has a slightly better scoring touch.

He falls in that gap with glimpses of top-six skills, a healthy and ferocious checking ability, with a developing sense of defensive awareness. A little small-ish to be playing against bigger opponents on a consistent basis … but that engine … there’s no quit to the 5-foot-9, 200-pound winger.

Brian Burke touched on his lower roster philosophy in regards to player’s attributes his many interviews since taking the reigns, with a recurring element that a checking forward isn’t just a player with an engine and good checking ability with lead hands. Lower roster players also have a scoring touch, but their role is primarily that of shutting down the competition.

Mitchell: Check and check.

John Mitchell cut his teeth this season, developing into a fine third line center with some scoring touch and a good engine himself. The unrelated namesake from Windsor could make that third line sound more like a law firm rather than a checking unit.

Mitchell, Mitchell and (fill in the blank). Specializing in body checks, and then representing you getting the number of the truck that hit you.

The front line talent is about to come to fruition through the course of what should be an interesting off season (or two). Having a supporting cast of players that are able to shut down the opposition’s top lines is just as important. it wouldn’t surprise to see Dale get a chance at some NHL experience the upcoming season.

katshockey@mapleleafshotstove.com

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  • Wook

    @Gus, Re: “I’m not sold on Oreskovic .. he simply doesn’t have the skating ability to be an active part of the Leafs blueline. Despite a reasonably decent showing in a debut, the issue is whether he would be a viable defenseman at the time when the Leafs are contenders. I’m not convinced he’s the guy for that situation.”
    .
    Fair enough. However, I think that Oreskovic can rise to the role of a player like Hal Gil. Gil is not the first guy that comes to mind when describing a contender, but he will be keeping the likes of Holmstrom and Maltby honest in the Stanley Cup finals. Gil is no Cory Cross, but my money would be on Oreskovic in a foot race. Having said that, I foolheartedly admit that I wear my Leafs goggles at all times.

  • Dan

    Last year was definitely an adjustment period for Kulemin, and still managed 15 goals. I agree he has unlimited potential. Not to mention, Grabovski had struggled himself throughout the year, if Kulemin was playing with a better-rounded centre, no doubt he would have put up even better numbers. Let’s hope they both continue to develop.

  • Jordan

    -BE LEAF

    Stajan, Stempniak and maybe even Mayers wont be on the team next year I would be, and also Tlusty will be on the second line before Stalberg. I see it like:

    TOP 6 will be anyone from – Grabovski, Kulemin, Hagman, Tlusty, Bozak, Blake

    BOTTOM 6 anyone from – Mitchell, Stalberg, Hanson, our first rounder and/or second, other players stepping up from the Marlies for a bit of experience (D. Mitchell, Stephanovich) and maybe a UFA like Neil who I would love to have.

    This leaves out Stempniak, Stajan, and Mayers who I doubt will be on the team next year. If Burke somehow manages to get Tavares add him into that top 6 and were laughing. If not Schenn would do great as well. I would leave that lineup playout the year and it would be quite clear who is developing and who isnt a fast.

    On Defence its pretty set right now anyways. I would have my top 8 list of:

    -Kaberle or Kubina (one will be gone for either picks or to move up)
    -Schenn
    -White
    -Finger
    -VanRyn
    -Frogren
    -Stralman
    -Oreskovic
    In goal theres Toskala obviously, and hopfully Gustavsson. I can see Pogge getting another shot too if he plays well with the Marlies and we need help.

  • Dan

    @ Wook
    Hal Gill is painful to watch skate… although he has gotten better and been a surprisingly good player for Pittsburgh.

  • B Leaf

    Jordan,
    I totally pick up what your laying down on Stempniak, Mayers and maybe Stajan but who is going to take these guys? Does it make sense to buy them out and extend the cap hit over more time? Why not get them off the books sooner. We might get something at the trade deadline for some of these guys???
    Not sure Hanson fits in this years plan for the big club.
    I agree Tlusty gets a shot at top 6 ice but he has to assert himself.
    Bozak will be given time because he is getting over a serious injury.

  • Jordan

    Mayers is easily tradeable, so is Stajan but Stempiak isnt. Anyone can be put on wavers and sent to the Marlies if nobody claims them remember. Then we just have to pay them (doesnt count against the cap) and MLSE has lots of money so its not a problem

  • Bleed It Blue/White

    From the Toronto Sun today.

    “ROY HELPS LEAFS

    Patrick Roy rejected an offer from Colorado Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix to coach the team.

    To which Lacroix replied: “That’s okay, heh, heh, I forgot … I already have a coach.”

    An Avalanche spokesman confirmed that Tony Granato is still the coach.

    Granato reportledly is:

    a) angry;

    b) beside himself;

    c) thankful he can stick it to Lacroix because he has two years left on his contract.

    This is all good news for the Maple Leafs.

    Adrian Dater of the Denver Post writes that without Roy, the Avs have lost their best shot at luring Swedish goaltending sensation Jonas Gustavsson.

    The Avs are thought to be the Leafs’ main competition to sign the free agent.”

  • Dave Moore

    Hey, Chad Larose was scheduled to be a UFA this summer. Did they sign him to a contract extension? He could be an interesting target.

  • Patrick

    About Oreskovich, Gus is underrating him.

    http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/phil_oreskovic

    “The rugged Oreskovic threw his 6’3, 217-pound frame around with abandon in 2005-06 in the OHL – and his opponents noticed. In the year-end OHL Eastern Conference Coaches Poll, the Brampton Battalion blueliner garnered acclaim as the best defensive defenseman and the best body checker”.

    “The towering rearguard is an exceptional stay-at-home defenseman, and an outstanding bodychecker but does not provide much else. The big blueliner excels at clearing the front of the net, playing a punishing corner game, and is able to lay a devastating bodycheck every couple of games. He struggles when he is forced to carry the puck but is capable of making the first pass out of the defensive zone”.

    Oreskovich in ten games with the Leafs this year was only a minus two. The Leafs are one of the worst defensive teams in the league, and Oreskovich more than held his own.

    In 119 AHL games he is a + 32. He won’t ever put up a lot of points, but that’s not his game. He clears the front of the net, and is a punishing hitter. He displayed that pretty well in his short call up this year. He also proved he can handle himself in a scrap, which Burke will love.

    I’m positive Oreskovich sticks as a depth defenseman on the Leafs this fall. He’ll play about 12 mins a game on the third pairing.

  • B Leaf

    I agree Patrick.
    My expectations on Oreskevic were very low when he was called up this year. I had noticed that his +/- looked good and I knew he was big, but I wasn’t expecting much. I thought he would have preformed like Jay Harrison did. Maybe thats why I was so impressed. I think he played a very smart game. Please don’t take this wrong but in the same way that Schenn seemed to play so strong positionally in his own end, I thought Oreskevic did the same. Obviously Oreskevic does not have the same hands as Schenn.
    Keep in mind that Oreskevic will continue to develop, but I think he is a lock at number 6.

  • http://www.mckeenshockey.rivals.com Gus Katsaros
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