Dale and Dido – Budding Buds

Nice blog Gus. I think that we have a very good supply of current and up and coming depth players in the forward position. A bit more prospect depth in the D, about three goalies, and six top forwards should just about do it.

Hi Gus,
Again it bodes well that we have lots of prospects to fill the third and fourth lines but the top lines is where it is glaring.
We’ll see how Dido progresses from his injury but surely Stalberg and Bozak need to fill those top 2 lines in order to take the pressure off the decision to rush their 2009 first round pick (presumably a forward) into the lineup next season.

How about Moen Mitchell Mitchell? The mmmmm line

I was going to suggest Moen for the fact that it does sound like an awesome law firm line.

We definitely need somebody who will battle, win faceoffs when needed and more importantly run anybody through the boards that dares carry the puck for too long.

@Daniel Marois – Don’t think of them strictly as prospects, but rather as assets. Too many fans are expecting miracles from the Leafs, especially with up front talent, but considering some positive moves going forward by Burke thus far, the future is brighter than any time over the last three seasons. I concede the deficiency in top-six talent, but that is something that the management team will have to assess, as well as what the marketplace could bear. Guys like Mitchell are just as important to the Leafs as Darren Helm, another defensive forward with some scoring touch, is to the Red Wings.

Don’t worry about the lack of top-six talent, that will come. Instead, look at the positives that are vital pieces to the puzzle and the rest will fall into place.

Too many fans re looking at last season without realizing the look of the Budz going forward may not be anything close to what was iced in 2008-09 at contention time.

I think the future is pretty bright, simply because its a clean slate for the GM, in a fun, entertaining style implemented by Ron Wilson, that should only get better as better talent is infused into the lineup.

@ Gus
Excellent article and incites in your comments.
If Chris Didomenico gets 100% healthy I expect that he and Dale Mitchell could be 2/3′s of a very good 3rd line for 2010/2011 forward. I am not saying that Didomenico should never play the powerplay but I think he makes a very good third line centre prospect because he plays so good in all three zones and is one of the best face off men up and coming. Mitchell just looks like a perfect third line forward. First and foremost both players have tremendous heart and both do the little things right.
I would have to say that Dido and Mithchell are the most interesting prospects we have. It will be interesting to see how Stephanovich plays at the next level. I though Oreskevic looked very good as a number 6 D-man. I have not seen much of Bozak or Stalberg but will be curious to see what they can bring given the chance. Where do you think they will play? And what about Tlusty and Kulemin next year- Where do you see them in the line up.
We need to be patient one more year and see where things stand. Maybe we get Taylor Hall!!

Mizuno – I don’t see Burke not drafting B. Schenn, he’s pretty much a given. Thanks for the link.

I loved watching Mitchell play in the Memorial Cup. He’s one of the Spitfire players that caught my eye when my Dad and I went to OHL Final Game #4 in Brampton. I think the homage/comparison to the Berg/Zezel/Osborne trio is pretty apt – Mitchell would be the Ozzy of those three, I think, a guy with some offensive skills, a lot of defensive sense and a perpetual motor.

It’s always tough to know from the outside, but he comes across as a heart and soul dressing room guy, too, the kind of emotional centre that young energetic teams need to succeed. That hypothesis was supported a bit by Bob Boughner’s comments on HNIC last night during the second intermission, when he referred to “Mitchy” as “one of those guys” in the dressing room that everyone keys off, implying that his team took a great deal of inspiration from Mitchell’s determination and effort in the third period against Rimouski, and that it was that spark that ignited the fire that ultimately powered the Spits to success in the tournament.

One other guy I’d love to see the Leafs take a flyer on is Scott Timmins – the Spits’ third line centre. He may not have the talent and skill set to make it to the NHL some day, but that kid knows how to play defense. He could definitely play for the Marlies and who knows, with a little work – which he very much seems capable of – he might bloom a little late into a nice find as a depth player.

@Gus
I understand your concerns with Oreskevic’s skating but he plays his position very well and definitely has a brain for the game. Last year he played significantly more minutes than a number 6 D-man and did not look a bit out of place. In fact his presence was significant. Remember he handled himself in a scrap with Lucic after Lucic cranked Grabovski. I really liked what I saw with Oreskevic.

MLHS is the best info on the buds period.

Here’s a question. If someone picks Oliver Ekman-Larrson 5-6 spot, who do you take between Schenn and Cowan?

@Dan May – I’m not as convinced about Oreskovic. It’s not just his skating, his defensive side is suspect, and the reality is there are better defensemen out there that could do the job. Can’t see him being a regular on the Leafs or in the NHL for that matter.

@JaredofLondon – I agree, there is a logjam, but there are holes, and depth is as important to an organization (see Red Wings) as front line talent. Some are possibilities and others have graduated to a full time NHL: Bozak (top-6 potential basedon conversations with scouts), J Mitchell, Tlusty, all get a shot next season. Hanson (3rd/4th line center potential although should be starting on the Marlies), while D. Mitchell and Stralman are likely considered to have an NHL spot but that’s not a guarantee and they will have to fight for it. Stapelton is a career AHLer, as is Oreskovic. Dido has to get back to playing shape which means Marlies time.

So lets say the leafs don’t sign any significant free agents and lets say they trade Kaberle for picks or prospects (for example: Kaberle to Buffalo for 13th pick). Let’s say Grabovski signs. And lets say that Gustavsson signs. How will the roster shake down.
Grabovski, Kulemin, Hagman
Bozak, Stalberg, Ponikarovski
Stajan, Stempniak, Blake
J Mitchell, Mayers, Tlusty
Schenn, White
Kubina, Van Ryn
Finger, Stralman
Frogren
Tokala, Gustavsson
That leaves D Mitchell, Stephanovich, Dido?, Hanson, Oreskevic, Pogge?, and others with the Marlies. The 7th pick and 13th pick? in junior.
Kubina moves at the trade deadline. Maybe Blake, Stempniak and Van Ryn too. Toskala will be determined by his play and that of Gustavsson.
Where does this team finish? Who has a big year? Is there a shot at Taylor Hall with this group?

@ Steve – Thanx for that, dude .. I was at all the Marlies home playoff games too, but I was covering the Moose rather than the Marlies and wasnt paying attention to VS … the Mitchell/Pavelski analogy is a good one too … keep up the excellent analysis, Doc …

Oliver Ekman-Larrson is really liked by the Avalance … they may take a chance at him too ….