Quack, Quack, Quack Mr. Calder

Alec’s Note: Please welcome Marlies writer Clayton Hansler, the newest member of the MLHS blogging team. Clayton has contributed freelance work to Leafs TV and is in regular contact with the Marlies club and personnel. We’re excited to have him. Welcome, Clatyon!

The Ducks play spoiler to the blue and white… kind of. As the Marlies head down the stretch and zero in on the number four spot in the North West, Anaheim pulls a key contributor up to the big club. As if it’s not already hard enough watching talent on the baby buds knowing they’ll never develop into a Leaf.

Kyle Calder, 31, wasn’t even a “maybe if” to the Ducks when they sent him down to the ECHL’s Bakersfield Condors.  Calder was quickly assessed as being past his prime, over the hill, often used and put away wet.

Enter Brian Burke.

Burkie, with strong contacts in the Mighty West coast head office, pulled his political strings to suggest a move of some of Anaheim’s brightest prospects into the Leafs development club. Brendan Mikkelson, Troy Bodie, Brennan Evans, Brett Festerling and Kyle Calder have all benefited from this partnership and spent considerable time with the Marlies this season.

With the departure of many veteran Marlies during the off-season, Calder’s primary role was to work with some of the new-comers and help bring them up to professional speed. But no one expected, Calder included, for him to click so well with Leafs hopeful Greg Scott. Kyle’s pace of 0.77 points per game (11g, 13a over 31 games) was built mostly on a line with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbird graduate. Well dang.

Though Calder isn’t Mr “Make it or Break it”, the forceful graduation of Bozak, Stalberg, Hanson and Gunnarsson left the Marlies a little thin in the offensive column. With the Leafs definitely out of the playoff race (again), the club may consider bringing some of the frat pack back down…. yeah, I didn’t really believe that either. Look for a call-up from the ECHL’s Reading Royals, probably either Slaney or Giliati.

I guess the Ducks can’t make an omlette without quacking a few eggs…

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  • lukethenuke

    ingy56 wrote:

    Jonez wrote:
    ingy56 wrote:
    lonsmos2 wrote:
    The Captain wrote:
    i wonder if keith acton would ever consider becoming head coach of the marlies.
    I don’t think he will ever leave his position as stool pigeon to the board from behind the bench.
    I guess Pat Quinn doesn’t have much use for Acton anymore, according to Steve Simmons of The Sun he felt betrayed by him. I suppose that is how Acton has survived despite the coaching changes. Acton is a joke and should have nothing to do with the team. He was brought aboard to help the special teams and we all know how that has gone.
    http://www.torontosun.com/sports/columnists/steve_simmons/2010/03/14/13222376-qmi.html
    acton has survived for as long as he has because he has battled cancer, and even while battling, gave his all to the team.
    you don’t just go and fire a guy who had to deal with cancer, that’s just cold.
    Oh please….in that case make him a scout or something, but at the top level of any organization if you don’t produce you should be gone. He’s survived because he’s played the political games necessary to sustain his own career at the expense of others.

    Acton is regarded in the league as one of the league’s best in faceoffs and other areas in the game. Look at what he’s done to grabo in the circle, as welll as Bozak.

  • peterbleafs

    lukethenuke wrote:

    ingy56 wrote:
    Jonez wrote:
    ingy56 wrote:
    lonsmos2 wrote:
    The Captain wrote:
    i wonder if keith acton would ever consider becoming head coach of the marlies.
    I don’t think he will ever leave his position as stool pigeon to the board from behind the bench.
    I guess Pat Quinn doesn’t have much use for Acton anymore, according to Steve Simmons of The Sun he felt betrayed by him. I suppose that is how Acton has survived despite the coaching changes. Acton is a joke and should have nothing to do with the team. He was brought aboard to help the special teams and we all know how that has gone.
    http://www.torontosun.com/sports/columnists/steve_simmons/2010/03/14/13222376-qmi.html
    acton has survived for as long as he has because he has battled cancer, and even while battling, gave his all to the team.
    you don’t just go and fire a guy who had to deal with cancer, that’s just cold.
    Oh please….in that case make him a scout or something, but at the top level of any organization if you don’t produce you should be gone. He’s survived because he’s played the political games necessary to sustain his own career at the expense of others.
    Acton is regarded in the league as one of the league’s best in faceoffs and other areas in the game. Look at what he’s done to grabo in the circle, as welll as Bozak.

    Excuse me but he hasnt done anything with Bozak, Bozak came in gifted at faceoffs. Acton is not a very good coach, and frankly he should go elsewhere. Ive a feeling this is his last year here anyways. Cancer survivors are no entitled people.

  • Clayton Hansler

    @ Schenn:

    Rumour has it Edmonton is jumping affiliations and Anaheim/Springfield will be working together starting September

  • Clayton Hansler

    1le wrote:

    Funny thing to consider is that Mark Bell and Kyle Calder, once considered the future in the Chicago Blackhawks organization, have both played for the Marlies in the last two seasons.
    Welcome clayton. Would love to hear what this new kid Gysbers looks like when he suits up.

    Gysbers first home game with the Marlies is this Saturday. I’ll try and catch up with him this Saturday if possible, if not I’ll put together a couple scouting notes.

  • rustynail

    Clayton Hansler wrote:

    @ Schenn:
    Rumour has it Edmonton is jumping affiliations and Anaheim/Springfield will be working together starting September

    That makes sense considering Annaheim ownership is no longer incarcerated.

  • 2 Minutes for Looking so Guru

    peterbleafs wrote:

    lukethenuke wrote:
    ingy56 wrote:
    Jonez wrote:
    ingy56 wrote:
    lonsmos2 wrote:
    The Captain wrote:
    i wonder if keith acton would ever consider becoming head coach of the marlies.
    I don’t think he will ever leave his position as stool pigeon to the board from behind the bench.
    I guess Pat Quinn doesn’t have much use for Acton anymore, according to Steve Simmons of The Sun he felt betrayed by him. I suppose that is how Acton has survived despite the coaching changes. Acton is a joke and should have nothing to do with the team. He was brought aboard to help the special teams and we all know how that has gone.
    http://www.torontosun.com/sports/columnists/steve_simmons/2010/03/14/13222376-qmi.html
    acton has survived for as long as he has because he has battled cancer, and even while battling, gave his all to the team.
    you don’t just go and fire a guy who had to deal with cancer, that’s just cold.
    Oh please….in that case make him a scout or something, but at the top level of any organization if you don’t produce you should be gone. He’s survived because he’s played the political games necessary to sustain his own career at the expense of others.
    Acton is regarded in the league as one of the league’s best in faceoffs and other areas in the game. Look at what he’s done to grabo in the circle, as welll as Bozak.
    Excuse me but he hasnt done anything with Bozak, Bozak came in gifted at faceoffs. Acton is not a very good coach, and frankly he should go elsewhere. Ive a feeling this is his last year here anyways. Cancer survivors are no entitled people.

    There is no denying Grabo’s faceoffs have improved immensely. Bozak may be gifted, but do you think he was ready to be consistantly win draws coming out of NCAA at the AHL level? Somebody has been doing something to improve their faceoffs… if not Acton, who is it? Players have skills, but coaches help them to refine those skills. I think there is a little blind hate for Acton going on here, because he’s been around so long.

    If there is a problem with coaching, Burke will address it.

  • rustynail

    Is Jessie Blacker practicing with the Marlies?

  • http://mapleleafshotstove.com Garrett Bauman

    Welcome to MLHS, Clayton!

    I remember some of the postings you did for The Hockey Writers, and a few SB Nation posts as well. Good stuff.

    Great to have you aboard, looking forward to having more Marlies coverage on the site … as are all of our readers, I am sure.

    Cheers
    GB

  • Clayton Hansler

    rustynail wrote:

    Is Jessie Blacker practicing with the Marlies?

    Yessir.. I’m excited to see how Jesse will perform against the Bulldogs on Saturday (baptism of fire – I’m sure).

  • Clayton Hansler

    Garrett Bauman wrote:

    Welcome to MLHS, Clayton!
    I remember some of the postings you did for The Hockey Writers, and a few SB Nation posts as well. Good stuff.
    Great to have you aboard, looking forward to having more Marlies coverage on the site … as are all of our readers, I am sure.
    Cheers
    GB

    You know me better than… well… i know me! Thanks for the vote of confidence – this’ll be a fun ride!

  • lukethenuke

    2 Minutes for Looking so Guru wrote:

    peterbleafs wrote:
    lukethenuke wrote:
    ingy56 wrote:
    Jonez wrote:
    ingy56 wrote:
    lonsmos2 wrote:
    The Captain wrote:
    i wonder if keith acton would ever consider becoming head coach of the marlies.
    I don’t think he will ever leave his position as stool pigeon to the board from behind the bench.
    I guess Pat Quinn doesn’t have much use for Acton anymore, according to Steve Simmons of The Sun he felt betrayed by him. I suppose that is how Acton has survived despite the coaching changes. Acton is a joke and should have nothing to do with the team. He was brought aboard to help the special teams and we all know how that has gone.
    http://www.torontosun.com/sports/columnists/steve_simmons/2010/03/14/13222376-qmi.html
    acton has survived for as long as he has because he has battled cancer, and even while battling, gave his all to the team.
    you don’t just go and fire a guy who had to deal with cancer, that’s just cold.
    Oh please….in that case make him a scout or something, but at the top level of any organization if you don’t produce you should be gone. He’s survived because he’s played the political games necessary to sustain his own career at the expense of others.
    Acton is regarded in the league as one of the league’s best in faceoffs and other areas in the game. Look at what he’s done to grabo in the circle, as welll as Bozak.
    Excuse me but he hasnt done anything with Bozak, Bozak came in gifted at faceoffs. Acton is not a very good coach, and frankly he should go elsewhere. Ive a feeling this is his last year here anyways. Cancer survivors are no entitled people.
    There is no denying Grabo’s faceoffs have improved immensely. Bozak may be gifted, but do you think he was ready to be consistantly win draws coming out of NCAA at the AHL level? Somebody has been doing something to improve their faceoffs… if not Acton, who is it? Players have skills, but coaches help them to refine those skills. I think there is a little blind hate for Acton going on here, because he’s been around so long.
    If there is a problem with coaching, Burke will address it.

    Thanks for agreeing! There is a little blind hate for him and i frankly dont know why. He works with players individually rather then like team drills.

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