The Toronto Marlies are the AHL’s Calder Cup champions after defeating the Chicago Wolves, the Carolina Hurricanes affiliate. For all the players involved, this is a valuable positive experience. There is a lot to be encouraged by when it comes to the development of several young players on the roster.
For a Toronto Maple Leafs team looking for change, they will need to use every avenue available to them to try to re-open their championship window, or perhaps even to open it in the first place. Internal development will be a huge part of any turnaround the Leafs author. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what this playoff run might mean for some of the notable Marlies players.
Forwards
Though Vinni Lettieri leads the team in points, the most relevant performance to next season’s Leafs is Easton Cowan. Though he has authored his share of turnovers at inopportune times, Cowan is still producing. While he has not taken over games, producing well on a deep playoff run is a fairly strong way to wrap up his first professional season.
There is certainly some room to grow, and Cowan has already shown some flashes in the NHL this season. Getting a taste of playoff intensity is valuable. Cowan has had his share of team success, which is a positive sign as well. There is a lot for Cowan to build off of heading into next season, and it is not unreasonable to expect him to be a legitimate middle-six contributor in the NHL.
Elsewhere, some older prospects are positioning themselves well for a shot in the NHL in the future. Fans will be most familiar with Jacob Quillan from his limited stint in the NHL last season. Quillan has not been able to match his early-season production, and did not get much of a chance in the Leafs lineup. There is a lot to like about his defensive game, as well as his positional versatility. If nothing else, Quillan is something of a barometer for the other Marlies trying to crack the Leafs lineup next season.
Ryan Tverberg might have done the most for his NHL chances of the group. A late-round pick with an intriguing development path, there have been twists and turns with Tverberg’s usage and results as a Marlie. He has had a noticeable run of play, using his speed and ability to win puck battles to be an effective complementary playmaker. He is a pending RFA, but he should be an interesting option headed into training camp next season. It would be interesting to see if he might find a fit alongside some more established NHLers.
Luke Haymes is a bit younger than most of the players on this list. As such, he might have a bit more runway. Haymes has played some centre, which is valuable. He might have a bit more offensive upside than Quillan or Tverberg, especially on the power play where he is able to make smart plays in tight spaces. Under contract for next season, Haymes should be an interesting preseason watch for Leafs fans.
Finally, Landon Sim is worthy of a shoutout. Many of the players in his age group have been scratched through the playoff run, but Sim has found a way as an effective energy player. While still a long way from the NHL, Sim plays with a determination that Leaf fans will appreciate.
Defence
Like Cowan up front, the fact that Ben Danford is a regular contributor is great news for the Leafs. Technically, next season will be Danford’s rookie season as a professional, which speaks to how valuable this experience is. It also validates Danford’s NHL viability, especially for those focused on points where he does not necessarily shine.
Defence is harder to quantify than offence, which makes prospects like Danford less renowned. Brock Faber of the Minnesota Wild was never statistically impressive either. The fact that his coaches continually seem to trust Danford is the most reliable sense of progression that can be garnered.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is William Villeneuve. It has been a long road for Villeneuve, working his way up from the ECHL. Now, quarterbacking the Marlies top power play, Villeneuve has really upped his stock. A pending RFA, there is a decision to be made on Villeneuve this summer. He does provide a potential power play option on the right side, something the Leafs lacked altogether prior to acquiring Darren Raddysh. The Raddysh add might make a full-time roster spot more difficult for Villeneuve, but he might be useful as depth in a call-up situation.
Henry Thrun is a left shot in a very similar position. With some NHL experience, the pending RFA finds himself running out of time as a prospect. The current vector of his development is not as strong as Villeneuve’s, but he remains in the lineup. The Marlies have a lot of veterans like Marshall Rifai and Dakota Mermis, insulating less experienced options.
Noah Chadwick has done well to have dressed in the playoffs as well. Danford and Chadwick have been paired together, with many expecting the duo to log huge minutes as an AHL pairing next season. Chadwick has a lot of tools, a blend of size and offence, that make him an intriguing prospect. This playoff might show that Chadwick is ready to take a step next season and handle a leading AHL role.
Goalies
Artur Akhtyamov mirrors Cowan and Danford in really upping his stock with a fantastic playoff performance. Dennis Hildeby has more NHL experience, but Akhtyamov is proving to be full value in holding the Marlies crease.
Given the recent trade of Joseph Woll, it seems the Leafs might have an opening for a regular NHL role. Even then, Anthony Stolarz’s injury issues might mean that both Akhtyamov and Hildeby will see some time in the NHL next season. Next season, Akhtyamov will be waiver-exempt, while Hildeby will not be. This might be a huge factor in which goalie gets their initial shot.
Regardless, Akhtyamov and Hildeby have both been in lockstep along their developmental timelines. Both have authored a lot of success on their journeys to this point, on the precipice of a regular NHL role. Training camp will see these two in the spotlight. Instead of seeing these two pitted against each other, fans should see the young duo as both being part of the solution.
