What Should the Maple Leafs do with their Young Prospects?

Let them develop as a young core with the Marlies. Likely the Leafs will struggle this season but I would rather struggle with a few keepers and the rest being roster fillers than struggle with the kids up with the big team. The media scrutiny will be full pressure to play the kids on the big team though.

I don’t think there’s a blanket strategy to employ here. Obviously, it depends on the individual, however, to start the season, I think it best to assume they’re suiting up for the Marlies.

I’d like to see if Tlusty can be the force he was for the last 3rd over a full AHL season before even thinking of calling him up again.

In addition, if we’re calling up a “skill” player, we should plan on giving him the minutes and situations he’ll need to produce. No sense calling up a Bozak or Tlusty and sticking them on the 4th line to play 5 minutes a game…

If only we could have brought up all the AHL players last year, tanked and finished dead last to draft John Tavares. Oh wait, we’re not the Isles.

We’ll have to use a few of them to fill injury holes; that’s just a given. They’ll get a taste of the big club in small doses while staying mostly in the minors. Tlusty might be an exception after already playing the majority of last season in the
AHL.

If they are good enough to play their future role on the big club now then they play (ie 1st or 2nd or top pairing defenceman) for the Leafs. If not, enjoy the bus rides.

If they’re ready to play, they should play. You don’t learn anything by playing at too low a level.

Keep all the college cats, as well as Dale mother fucking Mitchell on the farm.

Tlusty should be in the NHL.

I think you have to back up a step and come up with what "developing young players" means. In Detroit’s case, they took a look at their assets and determined they could win a certain way. They then found a mgmnt team that bought in. Though the draft, free agency, luck and the miracle that was Stevie Y, they developed multiple players who can assume specific roles on the team. As for the draft, this does not mean they drafted role players. You always draft the best player available, but guys with a broader range of skills can adapt to a broader number of roles. To my mind that’s what makes Dido a good prospect, he went from star scorer and puck bunny attraction on a shitty team to quarterback on one of the best power plays in junior hockey, all in one season. With many possibilities in the hopper and the attendant competition between players to fill these roles, some guys will excel by example. Once you build a good team, the system is self perpetuating, and less vulnerable to injury woes, roles being filled via the competition that takes place in the minors.

In Burke’s case, he seems to have a team configuration in mind, subordinate mgmnt and Wilson are on board, and most of the scouting jobs are up for evaluation. There is always an argument about learning the game and the ability to adapt to play different roles when needed in the minor pros. In Toronto’s case though, dealing with the media and fan expectations on the big stage is part of everyone’s role. Some guys can deal with it, others can’t, and there are sport psychologists for those unsure. There is also the need for speed. "Mentally tough" and speedy become a qualification for all role players. Can these be developed in the minors? I don’t know, and just to complicate matters, free agency and trades are another method of getting players to fill certain slots. But success on that front depends on timing. I say until all the roles are filled, keep calling guys up to replace those who play themselves out of a job.

ahhh i don’t know. Same as how the treated Luke – he only stayed up because he was in the top 4 of our D. Bozak, Tlusty, Hanson, will only be up if they’re playing in the top 6. Otherwise, to the AHL with them.

But that’s because I think all of them will get a look at some point in the season so I’m just being realistic.

I think at this point Tlusty will be in the NHL next season, and Stålberg, Bozak, and Hanson will all get a shot to make the team out of training camp as their final roles aren’t defined as of yet. In the long run I’d be surprised if 2 of the three aren’t playing most of the season in the AHL though.

As for the blue line, a lot depends on what happens with Kaberle and Kubina. If either one is dealt at the deadline, expect Stralman to get more time in the top 4. I think he’s approaching the age where he can’t be bounced around between the AHL and NHL, so he might pose a conundrum for the team this season.

I’d like them to leave players in the AHL as long as possible though, so expect Stefanovich, Mitchell, and DiDo to all have to work their way onto the team. They’re only 19 years old so it’s not like it’s asking a lot of them. Think of it as going to “college” for them before they enter the workforce. Most kids their age have to do it, so unless they prove amazingly superior I don’t see the need to rush things.

If they fit a role on the team, and they’re going to do that in the long run, then bringing them up is fine. But if you slot them in as a 4th line grinder when they’re a sniper, and expect them to do that job… good luck seeing any results.

If you want examples, take a look at how Burke brought along Bobby Ryan, or how the Sharks worked in Pavelski, Clowe, and Mitchell into their lineups over time. It wasn’t overnight and it wasn’t the way the Leafs have done it in the past.

I meant at the draft… oops.

But really it’s a bit of both, Unless we go out and sign quite a few FA’s aren’t we going to have to have some of these guys step in?

“Trade them for over the hill former superstars” option?

If they’re good enough, they’re old enough.