2017-18 Marlies

[Kin]

That's fair, I just assumed that if it was for a direct promotion, they'd let them go, but I understand where you're coming from, that makes sense.

To be clear, I don't actually know what the deal is. Just I can't think of a time where a AHL coach switched organizations mid-year.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Couple of Liljegren gifs from this afternoons game:

https://twitter.com/JeffVeillette/status/921832375474147328
https://twitter.com/JeffVeillette/status/921836681959038976

 

[herman]

4 pts in 5 games for Liljegren, tied for second on the team behind Ben Smith (5 pts in 6 games) with Johnsson and Soshnikov. Yeah, as an 18 year old rookie in his first season in North America.

Let's see where this goes.

 

[Highlander]

He looks like the real deal so far, lots of skill and composure

 

[Highlander]

Maracin has looked good with the Marlies, definitely too good for the AHL. Perhaps he can be part of some form of trade with Bozak

 

[herman]

As Jeff Veilette suggested earlier this month upon Pickard's arrival, Kasimir Kaskisuo has been loaned to the Chicago Wolves, AHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights, who are, as you may have heard, suffering a severe goalie shortage.

 

[princedpw]

4 pts in 5 games for Liljegren, tied for second on the team behind Ben Smith (5 pts in 6 games) with Johnsson and Soshnikov. Yeah, as an 18 year old rookie in his first season in North America.

Let's see where this goes.

The fact that he?s sitting behind Ben Smith suggests we may need a little more data before we can make heady conclusions

 

[herman]

4 pts in 5 games for Liljegren, tied for second on the team behind Ben Smith (5 pts in 6 games) with Johnsson and Soshnikov. Yeah, as an 18 year old rookie in his first season in North America.

Let's see where this goes.

The fact that he?s sitting behind Ben Smith suggests we may need a little more data before we can make heady conclusions

Ben Smith is a legitimate AHL weapon.

All that being said re: how cool it is that our 18 year old defenseman is near the top of our team's scoring rankings...

Nielsen was also near the top for a stretch last year (he was 20), and it's not something that really lasts unless you're an Erik Karlsson. These points are earned, but largely due to opportunity: offensive zone starts, PP time; where the coach is leveraging a strength. Defencemen assists are usually more a function of your forwards offensive capabilities, and right now, this is likely the best team of forwards Liljegren has ever played with.

 

[Highlander]

4 pts in 5 games for Liljegren, tied for second on the team behind Ben Smith (5 pts in 6 games) with Johnsson and Soshnikov. Yeah, as an 18 year old rookie in his first season in North America.

Let's see where this goes.

The fact that he?s sitting behind Ben Smith suggests we may need a little more data before we can make heady conclusions

Ben Smith is a legitimate AHL weapon.

All that being said re: how cool it is that our 18 year old defenseman is near the top of our team's scoring rankings...

Nielsen was also near the top for a stretch last year (he was 20), and it's not something that really lasts unless you're an Erik Karlsson. These points are earned, but largely due to opportunity: offensive zone starts, PP time; where the coach is leveraging a strength. Defencemen assists are usually more a function of your forwards offensive capabilities, and right now, this is likely the best team of forwards Liljegren has ever played with.

Good Analysis Herman, when do you start with The Athletic?

 

[Redleaf]

4 pts in 5 games for Liljegren, tied for second on the team behind Ben Smith (5 pts in 6 games) with Johnsson and Soshnikov. Yeah, as an 18 year old rookie in his first season in North America.

Let's see where this goes.

The fact that he?s sitting behind Ben Smith suggests we may need a little more data before we can make heady conclusions

Ben Smith is a legitimate AHL weapon.

All that being said re: how cool it is that our 18 year old defenseman is near the top of our team's scoring rankings...

Nielsen was also near the top for a stretch last year (he was 20), and it's not something that really lasts unless you're an Erik Karlsson. These points are earned, but largely due to opportunity: offensive zone starts, PP time; where the coach is leveraging a strength. Defencemen assists are usually more a function of your forwards offensive capabilities, and right now, this is likely the best team of forwards Liljegren has ever played with.

Good Analysis Herman, when do you start with The Athletic?

I don?t think Herman wants anything to do with those bloodsuckers

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/scottcwheeler/status/925408085098881025

I would have liked to have heard him gush about Liljgren a little more, but still some good updates on Brooks and Bracco.

 

[herman]

Talking up the Marlies' money savvy to entice insulation veterans:
https://theathletic.com/142913/2017/10/31/marlies-use-financial-power-to-strike-unique-balance-between-budding-prospects-ahl-veterans/

The team build on the Marlies is pretty similar to the Leafs in terms of allocation of players to development tiers (per Lou's preference): one third veterans, one third prime players, one third developing players. Neither team invests in veterans to do heavy, heavy lifting on the production side (duh), but they have one mentor (or two or three on the Marlies) for every position.

Highlighting the Marlies' veterans are Chris Mueller and Vincent LoVerde, former Calder Cup champions who both received a substantial guaranteed pay bump to play here for a stable 2 seasons with a pretty clear indication they will not be receiving an NHL promotions.

Also this tasty nugget:

And everyone is on the same page.

?You can?t develop or reach your potential if you don?t come to the rink motivated in practice and games,? Keefe said of the balance. ?If you?re not, it becomes challenging real quick to get the most out of people. A competitive environment is extremely healthy and necessary.?

Keefe credits AHL star Ben Smith, who has played on the Marlies' fourth line for the majority of this season, for still being the team's most productive forward. When Frederik Gauthier returned to the lineup, he volunteered to switch to the wing so that Adam Brooks could keep getting minutes.

Others, like Rich Clune and Colin Greening, are fine playing on the fourth line or sitting in the press box too.

That's Smith volunteering to run wing for Brooks (not Gauthier, as the grammar of that sentence implies).

 

[Crucialness Key]

Talking up the Marlies' money savvy to entice insulation veterans:
https://theathletic.com/142913/2017/10/31/marlies-use-financial-power-to-strike-unique-balance-between-budding-prospects-ahl-veterans/

The team build on the Marlies is pretty similar to the Leafs in terms of allocation of players to development tiers (per Lou's preference): one third veterans, one third prime players, one third developing players. Neither team invests in veterans to do heavy, heavy lifting on the production side (duh), but they have one mentor (or two or three on the Marlies) for every position.

Highlighting the Marlies' veterans are Chris Mueller and Vincent LoVerde, former Calder Cup champions who both received a substantial guaranteed pay bump to play here for a stable 2 seasons with a pretty clear indication they will not be receiving an NHL promotions.

Also this tasty nugget:

And everyone is on the same page.

?You can?t develop or reach your potential if you don?t come to the rink motivated in practice and games,? Keefe said of the balance. ?If you?re not, it becomes challenging real quick to get the most out of people. A competitive environment is extremely healthy and necessary.?

Keefe credits AHL star Ben Smith, who has played on the Marlies' fourth line for the majority of this season, for still being the team's most productive forward. When Frederik Gauthier returned to the lineup, he volunteered to switch to the wing so that Adam Brooks could keep getting minutes.

Others, like Rich Clune and Colin Greening, are fine playing on the fourth line or sitting in the press box too.

That's Smith volunteering to run wing for Brooks (not Gauthier, as the grammar of that sentence implies).

Glad you clarified because it really does read like Goat moved himself to wing, which would be... ungood

 

[herman]

Glad you clarified because it really does read like Goat moved himself to wing, which would be... ungood

I cross referenced announced Marlies' lineups to be sure.

 

[hockeyfan1]

https://theathletic.com/144694/2017/11/02/wheeler-a-comprehensive-review-of-the-first-place-toronto-marlies-recent-play/

An excellent look at the Marlies roster/lines.  In essence, the team's best are the likes of Soshnikov, Johnson, Smith, Kapanen and Marchment, all who have upped their levels of play.  On the special teams especially the PK & etc., it's Ben Smith who leads and is considered the team's next best player after Soshnikov.

As for the defence, Lilejgren and Dermot take their spots, with both improving their defensive side.

In goal, it's Garrett Sparks all the way (best save percentage in the AHL).
Calvin Pickard has lagged somewhat from his strong start (debut).

From the writer's point of view, Soshnikov and Johnsson may well be NHL-ready (add in Kapanen who looks to have improved his speed & aggressiveness), while the defence, Dermott may have what it takes, though both Lilejgren & Dermott need a bit more time in tweaking and correcting the subtleties of their play especially Lilejgren.

 

[herman]

Dzierkals, who is on an AHL deal but hasn't seen any game action this season, has been loaned to the Solar Bears to get some work in. Keefe is pretty high on his skill set, and it'll be a matter of putting on pro-level strength and putting all those tools together. Think Soshnikov with more snarl and willingness to get into the middle of the ice (at least last year's Sosh).

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/dcmahiban/status/932416031032619008

This really hasn't received much attention anywhere, but Liljegren's been out with an upper-body injury since November 4th. He's missed 6 games in that span.

 

[rdowdall]

https://twitter.com/dcmahiban/status/932416031032619008

This really hasn't received much attention anywhere, but Liljegren's been out with an upper-body injury since November 4th. He's missed 6 games in that span.

Wait a minute, Matthews was out too, also with an upper body injury.  Coincidence? Or were they at a secret "Foundations of Future Stanley Cup winning teams" meeting?

 

[herman]

Wait a minute, Matthews was out too, also with an upper body injury.  Coincidence? Or were they at a secret "Foundations of Future Stanley Cup winning teams" meeting?

Low key trip to Sweden to check out all of Dahlin's water bottles. #mononucollusiosis

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Stay calm everyone, Liljegren's back. Picked up an assist in a 5-2 win last night. These were the lines the Marlies went with:

Marchment-Aaltonen-Kapanen
Timashov-Mueller-Johnsson
Rychel-Gauthier-Greening
Moore-Smith-Clune

Dermott-Liljegren
Marincin-Holl
Nielsen-Rosen

Sparks

Aaltonen had a pretty nifty goal in the win:

https://twitter.com/JeffVeillette/status/933502075027316737

Just his 3rd in 17 games though. He has 9 points on the season.