The Toronto Marlies (5-2-0) play tonight versus Syracuse (2-3-0) at 7PM—with a full lineup. In the meantime, some afternoon reading…
- 30 Thoughts: Flames willing to deal, but is anyone else? (SN)
It’s also likely the Toronto Marlies wanted someone to protect their youth in case opponents started running at them. It’s tough to say for sure, because assistant GM Kyle Dubas, who negotiated with Helperl, is in media jail.
- Toronto Maple Leafs Prospect Jeremy Bracco Set to Make the Jump to the OHL (MLHS)
With Bracco heading to the OHL, the Leafs will have yet another prospect playing close to their scouting and development staff. Bracco will join JJ Piccinich of the London Knights as the second Leafs prospect to jump from an NCAA power to the OHL’s Western Conference this season. This is not much of a shock considering the ties Leafs Director of Player Personnel Mark Hunter has to the league and the faith he has in players being developed there.
- leafs-use-prospect-shuffle-to-help-salary-cap-crunch/article27016877/”>Mirtle: Maple Leafs use prospect shuffle to help salary cap crunch
The NHL’s cap works in byzantine ways, especially when it comes to long-term injured reserve. The Leafs have run into a bit of injury trouble of late, too, with Tyler Bozak, Jake Gardiner and now Nick Spaling missing games, which means players like Froese have had to be brought up, which taxes the cap.
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The Babcock Effect (in Detroit) (TSN)
The general consensus at the time of his departure was that the Red Wings organization would mostly be fine – it hurts to lose a great coach, but the system has relentlessly turned out talent at every single level, coaching included. Jeff Blashill would steer the ship towards a 25th consecutive postseason appearance, rendering the turnover little but a memory.But the early signs in Detroit are troubling. A 4-3-1 start might be a bit kind to a Red Wings team that simply hasn’t looked the part of a playoff-calibre club, a shocking development when you consider how consistently great this team has been for years.
- Leafs need Bernier, Reimer to elevate games (TSN)
Between Reimer and beleaguered no. 1 Jonathan Bernier, Toronto’s goaltending has been subpar for the better part of the early season. The two have combined for a poor .891 save percentage through eight games – amongst the worst marks in the league.
