I know it is a big year for every prospect, but I wanted to focus on ones who weren't just drafted, or ones who have not been in the big show yet. I know other people will focus on those types of guys, but here is my list. I also don't expect others to do an analysis like I will.
HM: Jamie Devane: Offence improving, skating completely overhauled by Underhill, could become a usefull bottom sixer in the future.
#5: Josh Leivo: He never seems to be talked about around here, but the intrigue with him is far too hard to ignore. Dave Morrison explained that he was a late bloomer with untapped potential. We saw him explode in the 2011 playoffs only to continue that this past season and put up pretty big numbers. This will be an interesting year to see if he becomes a top threat in the OHL or if he levels off. I really want to see what we have here, if he is an offensive threat who can eventually contribute in the big leagues, or if he is another Chris Didomenico.
#4: Stuart Percy: At first I felt he wouldn't make my list, kind of like Biggs, because Biggs is still far away enough that this does not have to be and likely will not be a huge year for him. But I changed my mind with Percy. Last year he was hurt a lot but when he played he looked to be improving and looked strong with the Marlies. With all the defencemen on the team and in the system, something will have to give, someone will become expendable for a deal. If Percy becomes a top defender in the OHL, he can prove that he has a huge future for us down the road, or could be a nice trade chip.
#3: Greg McKegg: He's done his time in the OHL and with him in the pros, it's top 6 or bust. He can't be a bottom six guy and I don't think he has the potential or defensive game at all to be a first liner. So it seems with him its the second line or bust. Let's see what he can do. If he can find enough playing time and put up some good numbers with the Marlies, maybe he can show he has potential, rather than the risk of becoming a tweener like Robbie Schremp or Gilbert Brule.
#2: Brad Ross: What do we have in this guy? It seems like he will be an NHLer, but can he develop some offence ala Tucker or Steve Ott? He scored a lot of goals last year and it will be interesting to see how he fares in his first year with the Marlies. There seems to be a very decent amount of offensive potential here.
#1: Jesse Blacker: He has now had three years since he was drafted to round out his game, and has done a great job doing so. He adjusted to the pro game well last year, and while not flashy, he was solid. This year will be interesting to see if he can really move forward in the pros. There have been many who have said he is near NHL ready, and odds are he gets a stint this year. Like Percy, he is in the middle of a logjam of prospect, and I see him as potential trade bait as well.
What 5 prospects do you feel it is a really big year for?
Tyler Biggs. Moving to the OHL with a great chance to show Leafs brass what he can really do and if he's a legitimate contender for a strong powerforward role in the future.
Nazem Kadri. I think it's time to put him in the NHL and leave him up and let him sink or float. There's not much that he can do in the AHL now and it's time to show what he's made of.
Jesse Blacker as you said. I love his play and think he'll really impress this year. There's just no space for him this year but 13'-14', I see him cracking our roster if he keeps progressing how he has.
Oops, missed the part about not being in the show yet. You can omit Kadri then but I still think he should have his chance this year.
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Tyler Biggs. Moving to the OHL with a great chance to show Leafs brass what he can really do and if he's a legitimate contender for a strong powerforward role in the future.
Nazem Kadri. I think it's time to put him in the NHL and leave him up and let him sink or float. There's not much that he can do in the AHL now and it's time to show what he's made of.
Jesse Blacker as you said. I love his play and think he'll really impress this year. There's just no space for him this year but 13'-14', I see him cracking our roster if he keeps progressing how he has.
Oops, missed the part about not being in the show yet. You can omit Kadri then but I still think he should have his chance this year.
Nope don't worry, I wanted my list to focus on guys out of the show, but I didn't want to limit lists, so Kadri is fine.
Tyler Biggs. Moving to the OHL with a great chance to show Leafs brass what he can really do and if he's a legitimate contender for a strong powerforward role in the future.
Nazem Kadri. I think it's time to put him in the NHL and leave him up and let him sink or float. There's not much that he can do in the AHL now and it's time to show what he's made of.
Jesse Blacker as you said. I love his play and think he'll really impress this year. There's just no space for him this year but 13'-14', I see him cracking our roster if he keeps progressing how he has.
Oops, missed the part about not being in the show yet. You can omit Kadri then but I still think he should have his chance this year.
Kadri for one. I think if he can be a first line forward this has to be his breakout year.
D'Amigo can cement his status as a prospect by continuing his playoff performance into the Marlies regular season.
Scrivens of course.
Joe Colburne needs to be the player that started last season rather than the guy who finished it.
Blacker because he was a 1 goal scorer last season but looked so much better, and has the offensive resume from Junior.
The above are all guys that I think could become talented contributors on the club.
From haven't had a look group Leivo looks interesting, as he has one more year to potentially take another step. Stronger and better offense this year will vault him past McKegg on the depth chart.
Brad Ross because he was a solid Junior scorer but I don't know how much impact his talented team mates contributed. He doesn't have Tuckers Junior stats, but in a best case he could offer the same NHL numbers.
Percy spent so much time hurt I don't know if he has high end potential or not but he has shown bits of what they were hoping for. He needs the healthy breakout year to show he has a shot at being better than Blacker and Finn.
Nick Deschamps. To me he looks better than his stats suggest.
I know it is a big year for every prospect, but I wanted to focus on ones who weren't just drafted, or ones who have not been in the big show yet. I know other people will focus on those types of guys, but here is my list. I also don't expect others to do an analysis like I will.
where did you do an analysis? I don't think too many people on here know what that word means.
Pretty good list of guys. I'm pretty sure I would have a similar list of prospects that intrigue me.
Brad Ross kind of reminds me of a Steve Ott type player. A guy that will aggitate you into penalties, take his fair share of them, but also be able to put the puck in the net. That's me thinking optimistically though. He could also be a guy like Steve Downie. Take that for what it's worth, but Downie needed to be told to settle down and stop running around.
I'm not sure what to expect out of Josh Leivo. Another role player?
My hopes for Greg McKegg aren't that high right now. I just don't see him doing much because of the lack of speed. I hope that I'm wrong though.
I know it is a big year for every prospect, but I wanted to focus on ones who weren't just drafted, or ones who have not been in the big show yet. I know other people will focus on those types of guys, but here is my list. I also don't expect others to do an analysis like I will.
HM: Jamie Devane: Offence improving, skating completely overhauled by Underhill, could become a usefull bottom sixer in the future.
#5: Josh Leivo: He never seems to be talked about around here, but the intrigue with him is far too hard to ignore. Dave Morrison explained that he was a late bloomer with untapped potential. We saw him explode in the 2011 playoffs only to continue that this past season and put up pretty big numbers. This will be an interesting year to see if he becomes a top threat in the OHL or if he levels off. I really want to see what we have here, if he is an offensive threat who can eventually contribute in the big leagues, or if he is another Chris Didomenico.
#4: Stuart Percy: At first I felt he wouldn't make my list, kind of like Biggs, because Biggs is still far away enough that this does not have to be and likely will not be a huge year for him. But I changed my mind with Percy. Last year he was hurt a lot but when he played he looked to be improving and looked strong with the Marlies. With all the defencemen on the team and in the system, something will have to give, someone will become expendable for a deal. If Percy becomes a top defender in the OHL, he can prove that he has a huge future for us down the road, or could be a nice trade chip.
#3: Greg McKegg: He's done his time in the OHL and with him in the pros, it's top 6 or bust. He can't be a bottom six guy and I don't think he has the potential or defensive game at all to be a first liner. So it seems with him its the second line or bust. Let's see what he can do. If he can find enough playing time and put up some good numbers with the Marlies, maybe he can show he has potential, rather than the risk of becoming a tweener like Robbie Schremp or Gilbert Brule.
#2: Brad Ross: What do we have in this guy? It seems like he will be an NHLer, but can he develop some offence ala Tucker or Steve Ott? He scored a lot of goals last year and it will be interesting to see how he fares in his first year with the Marlies. There seems to be a very decent amount of offensive potential here.
#1: Jesse Blacker: He has now had three years since he was drafted to round out his game, and has done a great job doing so. He adjusted to the pro game well last year, and while not flashy, he was solid. This year will be interesting to see if he can really move forward in the pros. There have been many who have said he is near NHL ready, and odds are he gets a stint this year. Like Percy, he is in the middle of a logjam of prospect, and I see him as potential trade bait as well.
What 5 prospects do you feel it is a really big year for?
percy blacker ross. hoping mckegg does well but i doubt it (dont have high hopes ) but imo those 3 need to have good years and could be in the NHL as early as next season.
) but imo those 3 need to have good years and could be in the NHL as early as next season.
