Down on the Farm
The big club’s off until a Friday night date with the struggling Hurricanes, so let’s take this opportunity to review the progress of several Maple Leafs’ prospects across various levels and highlight upon the season’s surprises and disappointments thus far. The verdict: fairly encouraging results early on across the board.
NCAA
- Tyler Ruegsegger is off to a strong start with 4 goals and 8 points through 8 games played for the University of Denver. The senior will have to come through with a big year in order to justify a possible contract from the Maple Leafs next summer. Offensively gifted, Tyler makes a killing on the power play, leading the entire WCHA with 12 PPG last season.
- Jimmy Hayes has 3 points in 4 games played and is making steady progress but is still quite a ways off from making an impact in the NHL. His younger brother Kevin Hayes recently made Central Scouting’s “2010 Draft Watch” list, and could be an intriguing name to watch for in the later rounds.
- Jerry D’Amigo is beginning to assert himself as one of the preliminary candidates for Leafs’ “breakout” prospect for the ’09-’10 season. Last year, we witnessed Stefanovich take a big step forward with a killer campaign in the QMJHL, and now it appears D’Amigo is grabbing some of that spotlight. The 2009 sixth round selection is off to a stellar freshman campaign for RPI with 6 points in 8 games, and has come up with some big plays at key situations for the team. Jerry is a bit on the small side, but is described as a speedy player with strong offensive ability and character.
OHL
- Nazem Kadri is not exactly dominating the Ontario Hockey League to the extent that many fans were hoping for, but is beginning to show signs of taking his game to the next level. For whatever reason, Kadri is playing with more of an edge to his game, as evidenced by a couple nights ago when he drew an instigator penalty, fighting major, and 10 minute misconduct to go along with his impressive 3 point night. World Junior selections are just around the corner, so now would be a nice time for the kid to go on a mini tear offensively.
- Kenny Ryan seems to have made a seamless transition to the OHL, but some of that can likely be attributed to the ridiculous amount of skill he gets to play with in Windsor. Ryan has posted a goal and 5 assists through his first 6 games played, but is displaying a lot of promise as a budding power forward with strong play along the boards and the willingness to crash the net.
- Jesse Blacker is slowly getting more comfortable with a larger role and increased ice-time after the blockbuster trade that sent him from Windsor to Owen Sound a few weeks ago. After just 3 points through the first 9 games with the Spits, Blacker has recorded 5 points through 7 games for the Attack. At the time of the draft, scouts believed that if developed the right way, Jesse could hone his hard, accurate point shot to become a two-way threat at the NHL level.
- As for Barron Smith and Jamie Devane, there really isn’t much to talk about other than their sheer size. Both are very raw in many aspects of the game, and have combined for a grand total of 4 points through 20 games. Devane was the Leafs’ 3rd round pick in 2009, but is regarded moreso for his fighting ability than his offensive prowess, and that’ll likely be his ticket to a steady paycheck at the NHL level if he can mature enough to not become a liability on the ice.
QMJHL
- Joel Champagne continues to make good progress and has managed to carry over his late season offensive success from last year after being traded to PEI. As a Rocket, Champagne has started off with 15 points in 18 games, impressive numbers for a hulking 6’4 forward who was deemed a long-term project at the time of the 2008 Draft. Any scoring is considered a bonus from Joel, who was drafted as a defensive faceoff specialist. He boasts a fantastic 60.4% win rate in the faceoff circle and should be an intriguing candidate to fill the 3rd or 4th line role in a few years time.
- Mikhail Stefanovich is not exactly putting up the same mind boggling numbers as he did last season, but is beginning to heat up now with 5 goals and 10 points through 9 games played. Stefanovich is currently attending the Olympic selection camp for team Belarus, so it would certainly be a exciting to see him lace ‘em up in Vancouver. Young kid with a dynamic scoring touch, what’s not to like? But he’s going to have to learn to “bring it” every shift, every night if he wants to make it as a pro.
AHL
- Viktor Stalberg wants to play in the NHL. Upon being sent down to the Marlies, the Swedish Rocket has responded with 5 points in 2 games, including a dominating 4 point performance the other night. Simply put, he is too good for this level, creating scoring chances with his strength and speed every time he touches the puck, much like he did during the preseason. Shouldn’t be too long until he’s back up with the big club.
- Tyler Bozak on the other hand has had a tough go so far in the AHL. 4 points in 8 games played and a -4 rating isn’t the kind of production you’d expect from a seasoned college veteran touted as a complete player ready for the NHL. Tyler’s certainly got all the skills to succeed at the highest level, but like many of the Leafs’ prospects, needs to get a few bounces to go in here and there in order to gain some confidence and assert himself more strongly in the play.
- Christian Hanson is another player who Leaf fans should expect to see back at the ACC in the near future. He was initially sent down to work on developing his game as a power forward, that is learning to be more of an imposing presence in front of the net, and battling it out in high traffic areas for those garbage goals. He seems to have responded well to that so far with 10 points in 10 games played.
- Forward Ryan Hamilton is off to a good start with 7 points through the first 10 games played. Hamilton was one of Burke’s first acquisitions as Toronto GM in exchange for winger Robbie Earl. The 24 year old Hamilton is a rugged, physical player with a strong frame, and plays the kind of game suited to Burkie’s bottom six plumbers. Think a tougher John Mitchell type. I think he could come out of nowhere and surprise by winning an NHL job as early as next season.
- Last but not least, Juraj Mikus is a name I didn’t expect to mention a whole lot this season, but it appears we might be in a for a pleasant surprise with this kid. He didn’t look too overwhelmed during the preseason, making good use of his frame and long reach to compensate at times for poor positioning, and displayed decent poise with the puck. Originally drafted in the 5th round of the 2007 Draft as a very raw long-term and high upside project by John Ferguson Jr., the tall lanky Slovak defender is showing signs of breaking out as a potential steal. Thus far with the Marlies, Mikus displays intriguing promise in the puckhandling, passing, and point shot departments, translating to an impressive 5 points through 8 games for the 20 year old.
Off Topic Notes:
#1 – Our boy Gus Katsaros was bumped today in light of the OHL commish handing down the suspension ruling, but be sure to tune in tomorrow on Hockeycentral to support our own.
#2 – I’ve got a pair of purples to the Leafs-Sabres division matchup on November 30th I’m looking to sell at cost because I’m unable to attend the game. Drop me an email if you’re interested.
alex.tran@mapleleafshotstove.com
November 5th, 2009 at 3:00 am
By all accounts, Ruegsegger is class on and off the ice, but his skating is well below a professional level. Significant strides (pardon the pun) must be made before he becomes a legitimate prospect, much less one with NHL promise. I wish him luck, but at this point I doubt he receives a contract.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:03 am
Nice write up Alex.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Nice write up! Nothing on Gunnarsson?
November 5th, 2009 at 7:43 am
It’s kind of like Gunnarsson and Mikus switched bodies .. Mikus is playing like Gunnarsson did in the preseason and Gunnarsson is playing like Mikus did in the preseason.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Juraj Mikus eh?
Nice when these late rounders bust out of nowhere to become tangible prospects.
Here’s hoping Stalberg returns soon,preferably with his frat back buddies in tow.
Bozak’s play is a bit concerning…perhaps the flu has hindered him more than we know?
Devane at 3 is still a mystery.I don’t think Devane will ever = Lucic……more like Orr,and that’s a costly 3rd rounder.
Ruegsegger reportedly has all the intangibles that make for a good player.
I remember two rookies,Damphousse and Antropov,whose skating was said to be their achilles,and they turned out not too bad.Admittedly the new NHL puts greater emphasis on speed/skating,but it is something that can be worked on.Let’s hope,we need all the depth we can muster w/o many good picks 2010/11.
Thnaks for the update Alex.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:11 am
@ Alex
Another player I think who is worth mentioning is Eric Knodel, a defenceman the Leafs drafted this summer, playing in the USHL for Des Mois Bucaneers. He currently has 7 points in 7 games.
He is 6’6 and nearly 230 pounds. Very RAW prospect but like Mikus, the organization is hoping he is going to be a late round steal. But we will have to wait a while to see him as he is commited to the NCAA next year for the next 3-4 years.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:21 am
@ McKelvie
Get to school
November 5th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Didn’t see anything on Gunnarson. It says he’s only got 1 assist on the season, but is he playing that badly? Or is he just having a rough go offensively?
November 5th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Nice write up Tran!!
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Been following the NCAA guys as well and they are showing some promise. Nice to see that our guys are producing somewhat.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:57 am
I know JFJ ruined our team.. but there is a couple of his late picks that look pretty good..
quick question who did we give up for toskala i know it was draft picks but who did they turn out to be?
November 5th, 2009 at 10:06 am
@alex
you guys should do a “where are they now” article and profile a player thats been out of hockey for a while, guys like jeff farkas, lonny bohonos and nathan dempsey. haha
November 5th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Nice write up Alex and thanks for keeping us updated on the progress of future potential Leafs.
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With regards to Bozak, Kadri and even Gunnarsson to an extent, you see it quite often from players who are on the cusp. Call it a disappointment factor or whatever. These three along with Stalberg were the closest to cracking the lineup and in reality would have been given postions if Burke had of followed through with his one way contract speech. IMO their starts are not true indicators of where they are as players and should be given every opportunity regardless of their starts. I would have no problem bringing up Bozak today.
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These players will come around again and be heard from loudly before the halfway point.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:17 am
@Gilbert
I can’t wait to see a “where are they now” article on Toskala.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Bozak has been sick with the flu or something. He also probably has little confidence after Burke signed him to some huge contract with several performance bonuses, which are impossible to achieve from the AHL. He could have signed with any team in the NHL. I doubt he was happy with his decision after being sent to the minors.
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But I guess the team has a better chance to win with Matt Stajan right? Burke/Wilson stupidity at its best right there.
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@Gilbert
San Jose used our 13th overall pick to move up to #9 and grab Logan Couture. St. Louis used our pick to grab Lars Eller at #13. Don’t know if he has played an NHL game yet? San Jose won this though IMO as Couture is a solid prospect.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:41 am
cool thanks man
November 5th, 2009 at 10:52 am
@danvertising: Bozak was quarantined from the Marlies for possible H1N1. He’s back now though and hopefully he’ll start tearing it up too.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:53 am
chris didominico (spelling sucks i know) if kind of the forgotten prospect is he still recovering from injury and is he still able to play junior or is he over aged?
November 5th, 2009 at 10:54 am
@Chemmy Good to hear he is back.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:13 am
@Gilbert
Didomenico had a very serious injury. Comparable too that of Kurtis Foster’s. At best he will be playing for the Marlies by the end of the season.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:23 am
@danvertising
I do agree with you that Bozak is dissapointed that he didn’t make the Leafs out of camp. But I doubt he regret’s his decision as he was a life long Leafs fan. I am not too convinced he would have made many clubs out of camp although he played well.
In hindsight I wish the Leafs would have given him the chance out of camp. They used Rickard Wallin an awful lot at Center to begin with. They have since learned there lesson and moved him to the 4th line and a winger spot which he seems more suited to play. But I would have much rather seen a young guy with upside playing instead.
I do believe that when your sent down to the Marlies though you have to perform at a high level. Which Bozak has yet to do. Burke did this with Perry, Getzlaf and Ryan and it worked very well. So hopefully now that Tyler is back from the flu he and the fellow fratliners can start to dominate.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:39 am
@moimoi28
I hope he doesn’t regret his decision. And the AHL will be good for him, but I don’t think Burke/Wilson managed his expectations properly. Obviously, there is no way for us fans to know. But optically, the way the whole thing played out, it appears as if they told Tyler one thing and did the other.
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Tyler seems like a good character guy though, especially on the ice. So hopefully he takes it constructively and dominates the A. In my opinion, he is ready for the NHL but was sent down solely for salary cap reasons, which is another mess Burke needs to clean up. I think we have close to $20M committed to roster players who have no future with this club moving forward.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Bozak was battling H1N1 for a stretch. Not sure if he’s back in the lineup yet.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
@ Alex
I emailed you…. no response yet…?
November 5th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Thank you for pointing out Knodel, Daniel.
Kid’s got a lot of upside with his huge frame, strong point shot, reach, and good offensive instincts. The fact that it’s translating right away into USHL production (at a better rate than 1st rounder John Moore, albeit at a year older), does make him a very interesting prospect.
Senators defense prospect Patrick Wiercioch is another of those huge blueliners to come out of the USHL in recent years, and he’s experiencing a ton of success in the NCAA so far.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
@ Charlie:
Sorry about that bud. Just checked the emails about 5 minutes ago.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Alex, simply fantastic blog and work man.. Thanks very much for compiling and posting that information.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
the best trade Burke could make right now would be Stajan & Blake for Bozak & Stalberg – and he wouldn’t have to give a first round pick to do it!
November 5th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
@ Alex
You are welcome! I wonder if he might consider taking the Kenny Ryan route to the CHL. But, perhaps the lighter NCAA playing schedule might be best for his development.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
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