Help From The Farm
For the first time in years, the Maple Leafs can truly say they've received critical assistance from their farm system this season.
And they're probably going to need more.
Joey Crabb. Darryl Boyce. Keith Aulie. James Reimer. Jay Rosehill. All have arrived from the Marlies at different junctures this season and now, with the club dreaming about the playoffs again, are playing useful roles for the club. You might even be able to add the name of Christian Hanson to the list, a player written off by many (if you don't make it right away with the Leafs there's always legions of folks ready to write you off) but one who arrived for his latest audition this week and has seemed industrious and readier to contribute this time around.
Reimer and Aulie are kids, Crabb and Rosehill are retreads, Boyce is something in between. Reimer is the only one with a chance to be a star, but there's a grittiness to the rest that has to be compelling to Leaf fans.
Boyce expressed this physically in recent days when he had his face re-arranged by the camera hole in the glass at the ACC and barely missed a shift, let alone a game. At 26, he's never to going to land a big NHL pay cheque, but all he does is try and try some more, just like Crabb, and that's infectious. Crabb potted a gorgeous shortie against the Sabres on Wednesday - the game-winner no less - and has been among the most versatile of Leaf forwards this season, skating in everything from first line to checking roles.
Rosehill's obviously not a pivotal player, but when Colton Orr went down, Rosehill stepped in, and while he can't dance like Orr, he's a better player with better skating and hitting ability.
Dallas Eakins, the Marlie coach, is just starting out, but it's fair to say he's impressed all kinds of people with his work this season. These callups, for the most part, have arrived ready to play, and it could be that Nazem Kadri will too if Eakins is given some more time to work with him.
With J.S. Giguere limping off again Wednesday night with his ongoing groin problem, Reimer may have to carry the load for a while. With Giguere possibly out, Leaf fans might have got their first look at Jussi Rynnas, with Jonas Gustavsson now recovering from his third heart procedure in 18 months. The Leafs can downplay these procedures all they want, but at the very least they have set back Gustavsson in his training and development, and it would be hard to stick him in their now with the parent club.
At any rate, Rynnas isn't available either for the conceivable future because of a broken finger. So a position of Leaf depth is rather thin at the moment.
At 6-2-1 in their last nine games, and with very winnable games coming up against Ottawa and the Islanders, the Leafs have an undeniable chance to at the very least insert themselves into the playoff conversation. A helpful schedule of late and a weak Eastern Conference have clearly helped, but it's also true that back-to-back road wins in Boston and Buffalo are serious accomplishments, while a 3-0 victory two weeks ago on home ice against Carolina was Toronto's best performance of the year and showed potential most believe this team didn't have.
Interestingly, these callups haven't completely disabled the Marlies. A win over Manitoba on Wednesday gave them four wins in six games, and 25-year-old Ryan Hamilton potted a hat trick while Ben Scrivens got the win in goal. Kadri has 29 points in 30 games. Maybe Hamilton will be the next to get a try with the big club. Maybe Scrivens might get the call, if one is necessary, instead of the digit-damaged Rynnas.
Point is, there's help available with the Marlies. It's been the case all season.
umm...can we spot 21-year old defenceman Aulie a few more games before we write him off as not having "star potential"?
Posted by: Manu | February 17, 2011 at 07:52 AM
A case can be made that the Leafs MVP is actually Dallas Eakins.
Posted by: Vince | February 17, 2011 at 08:14 AM
Great article to walk up and feed the baby to. Now before a million know-it-alls jump down your throat, I believe Jussi Rynas has a broken finger and will be out of action a while. Has to be Scrivens, unless Burke swings a minor deal for temporary help, no?
Posted by: Meestervinyl | February 17, 2011 at 08:16 AM
while players like Boyce, Crabb, Rosehill, and Hanson may never develop into more then 3rd and 4th line players, last night's game shows that no matter what line your on a solid contribution will never go unnoticed. all 4 of these guys worked their butts off last night, and got rewarded for it. great job boyz!!
Posted by: Chad | February 17, 2011 at 08:40 AM
Life as a farm team supporter can be hell...especially when you don't particularly care for the parent team. That has definitely been the case as a Marlies season ticket holder this year, with player after player being called up to bail out the Leafs. And despite this interference, the Marlies continue to be competitive week after week. Full marks to Eakins and the boys. Oh, and I want my Reimer back (kudos to Scrivens).
Posted by: Silliw | February 17, 2011 at 12:28 PM
Last nights game showed a comittment to team defense, particularly on the penalty kills, that Eakins and the Marlies development program can take partial credit for. And speaking of defense, can anyone say that Aulie has not filled Beauchevin's shoes quite admirably? This kid is solid. I can see him and Shen providing shut down D for a lot of years. So can those arm chair GMs that complain non-stop about Burke's trading record take a pill? This team is better then it was 2 years ago and has not even come close to it's potential. With few exceptions, these young Leafs have not individually or as a team reached their ceiling yet. I still think Wilson should go (and perhaps Eakins get his chance with the big club)... but for the first time in years I like the direction the Leafs are going.
Posted by: othermark | February 17, 2011 at 12:32 PM
I've been waiting for a Hanson recall for a while now. He's a good kid with a big frame and he can skate. He's performed well for the Marlies and is making the most of his opportunities with the Leafs. Between him, Boyce and Crabb, it's going to be a tough decision to sit someone when Armstrong returns.
Posted by: TPiddy | February 17, 2011 at 02:29 PM
I can't wait to see what kind of streak they go on when Kaberle is gone.
Posted by: John Carss | February 17, 2011 at 05:52 PM
I am not a Wilson fan. Lets make it clear that I think there are better coaches available (Hitchcock) with better records and better credentials.
Burke is slowly but surely making his masterstroke on this team and he will have done it in 3 years. Not a 5 year tank re-build. He wouldnt be around to see it through.
This team is 2-3 top flight players away from being a consistent threat and they are just about there.
This guy is a powerhouse and is making good trades 70% of the time. He is trading his bad trades outta town, which is all you can ask for and a good batting average. You're going to make some bad trades. Thats part of the his position.
When Kessel comes good, I can't wait for Burke to say "I told you so" because he's forgotten more about hockey that anyone commenting on this article knows. The kid WIll score 50 at some point in his career. The sooner the better, but he's one of the very elite talents in the game.
A steady hand on the tiller has righted the bad-ship Maple Leaf in very, very short order.
Posted by: Declan | February 18, 2011 at 03:30 AM
Not really sure how to judge this one. I really like Kaberle a lot, in my mind he is our best defenceman. He plays with a lot of intelligence and grace, a player like that would be hard to replace. I think it's a hard decision to especially given our place in the standings right now.
If we want to make a legitimate playoff push, would we not want our best defenceman with us? If we make the playoffs, would Kaberle's experience not be of use to us rather than a first round pick that is going to be coming to us eventually?
I understand that we are in a "rebuilding phase" (not entirely sure what that means or if it is even applicable when it comes to theh Leafs), but I think that trading Kaberle speaks volumes to whether or not we really want to try to make the playoffs this year, if Kaberle goes, then I guess we have our answer
Posted by: Valentino Assenza | February 18, 2011 at 11:39 AM
To the guy who is a Marlies fan, but not a Leafs fan: That is the silliest affectation I have ever heard.
To Declan: Well said.
To the guy who said to wait before writing off Aullie: No one is writing him off. But he isnt going to be a "star" That is reserved for flashier dudes. Aulie will be a solid 2-4 defenseman though.
Posted by: Ostruich Lover | February 18, 2011 at 01:00 PM