Morgan Reilly on Leafs versus Sean Day on Steelheads

A 19 year old in the NHL is a rough equivalent to a 15-year old in the OHL, so it has been interesting to watch the relative progress of Morgan Reilly and Sean Day.

Sean has 2 goals and 8 assists and is -26 with Mississauga Steelheads (Team +/- is -51 GF/GA), while Morgan has 1 goal and 10 assists in 31 games with the Leafs, and is a -6 on a team with a -6 GF/GA. As a Reilly comparison, note Seth Jones (Popeye's son) of Nashville also has 11 points, and is -14 in 38 games. Jones has played more minutes but also been on the ice against tough competitors.

 Look for both Reilly and Day to lengthen their stride in 2014.

Leafs News: Kadri to wing, Raymond to sign extension

Bozak set to return, Holland surging in faceoff circle

Based upon his last 5 games, Nazem Kadri may have to get used to taking some shifts on the wing. Here are his numbers:

DEC 27 '13 BUF @ TOR - 37.50%

DEC 23 '13 TOR @ NYR - 29.41%

DEC 21 '13 DET @ TOR - 28.57%

DEC 19 '13 PHX @ TOR - 20.00%

DEC 17 '13 FLA @ TOR - 36.84%


Now, here are the recent numbers for Peter Holland, a center drafted the same year as Naz (Holland went 15th overall in 2009, Kadri went 7th):

DEC 27 '13 BUF @ TOR - 72.73

DEC 23 '13 TOR @ NYR - 70.00%

DEC 21 '13 DET @ TOR - 58.33%

DEC 19 '13 PHX @ TOR  - 30.77%

DEC 17 '13 FLA @ TOR - 45.45%


Nazem is -1 with 1 point over that stretch, while Peter is +1 with 3 points. It is a small sample but may be indicative of personal momentum. With Dave Bolland out until late January, Kadri may have a wee bit of breathing room now, but if he can't get fiercer in the circle, he'll be playing on the wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs come playoffs time.

NOTE: Though all the focus has been on Phaneuf's extension (Update Jan 1: 7 years for $49 mil). Look for Mason Raymond to sign a 3-year, $9 million deal ($2.5, 3.0, 3.5 mil) before the middle of January.

2015 nhl draft prospect rankings

Here are some contenders for my upcoming rankings of top prospects for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft:

Connor McDavid, Erie

Travis Konecny, Ottawa
Mathew Barzal, Seattle
Mitchell Marner, London

Jack Eichel, USA Juniors
Rasmus Andersson, Malmo


Dylan Strome, Erie
Maxim Tretiak, KAM
Jordan Greenway, USA Juniors / U17



More names to watch include:

Aleksi Saarela, Mikko Rantanen, Ryan Pilon, Noah Hanifin, Dante Salituro, Zach Werenski, Nathan Noel, Nicolas Roy, Felix Sandstrom


Keep an eye on:

Paul Bittner, LW
Kyle Connor, C
Matt Spencer, D
Jeremie Roy, D
Adam Musil, C
Glenn Gawdin, C,
Robin Kovacs, LW
Oliver Kylington, D
Mitchell Stephens, C 
Tyler Soy, C
Pavel Zacha
Yevgeni Svechnikov
Nikita Korostelev, RW
Gustav Franzen, C
Daniel Sprong, RW
Jansen Harkins, C


Which 2015-eligible players are having a great season and are not listed above? Please post your comments and suggestions below, thanks kindly.

December 2013 National Hockey League Top Teams Rankings

DEC 3rd 2013 NHL Team Rankings

Teams moving up 3 or more places include Chicago, St. Louis, Boston, Los Angeles Washington, Winnipeg, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. Teams dropping 3 or more spots include Colorado, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Phoenix and New York Islanders.

2013-14 NHL Rankings by Team - October    (Last Week)            ( % Playoffs)

Dandy Dozen: 48%- 78% chance of playing 2014 Stanley Cup games

1. (4.) Chicago (73)
2. (2.) San Jose (70)
3. (6.) St Louis (68)
4. (1.) Colorado (63)
5. (5.) Anaheim (62)
6. (3.) Pittsburgh (78)
7. (11.) Boston (48)
8. (13.) Los Angeles (45)
9. (10.) Detroit (50)
10. (7.) Phoenix (50)
11. (8.) Tampa Bay (48)
12. (12.) Vancouver (48)

Contenders: 32% to 45% chance of being in Stanley Cup playoff games

13. (15) Minnesota (45)
14. (14) Montreal (43)
15. (11) Toronto (41)
16. (19) Washington (45)
17. (16) Nashville (38)
18. (21) Winnipeg (36)
19. (18) Dallas (38)
20. (24) New York Rangers (38)
21. (20) Ottawa (32)
22. (26) New Jersey (36)
23. (27) Philadelphia (36)
24. (22) Carolina (32)

Lottery Picks: Below 40% chance of making NHL playoffs
25. (17.) New York Islanders (28)
26. (23.) Calgary (27)
27. (25.) Columbus (30)
28. (28.) Florida (23)
29. (29) Edmonton (23)
30. (30.) Buffalo (17)

NOV 2013 OHL HOT 40 Future Hockey Pros

Top 2013-14 Ontario Hockey League Players

This list of Ontario Hockey league players is a ranking of top 2013-2014 OHL performers most likely to make a career out of playing hockey. Our ratings are biased towards forwards, as many defensemen mature in their early 20s, and junior hockey is a tough environment for goaltenders. In light of this, many OHL defenders and goalies not mentioned here may go on to stellar NHL careers.

1. Connor McDavid, Erie (2015)
2. Aaron Ekblad, Barrie (2014)
3. Michael Dal Colle, Oshawa (2014)
4. Darnell Nurse, Sault Ste. Marie (2013, Edmonton)
5. Sean Day, Mississauga (2016)
6. Travis Konecny, Ottawa (2015)
7. Connor Brown, Erie (2012, Toronto)
8. Anthony DeAngelo, Sarnia (2014)
9. Mitchell Marner, London (2015)
10. Matt Murray, Sault Ste. Marie (2012, Pittsburgh)

11. Brock McGinn, Guelph (2012, Carolina)

12. Carter Verhaeghe, Niagara (2013, Toronto)

13. Dane Fox, Erie (Undrafted free agent)

14. Sergey Tolchinsky, Sault Ste. Marie (2013 Free Agent signing, Carolina)

15. Slater Koekkek, Windsor (2012, Tampa Bay)

16. Bo Horvat, London (2013, Vancouver)

17. Kirby Rychel, Windsor (2013, Columbus)

18. Dylan Strome, Erie (2015)

19. Stefan Leblanc, Sudbury (2014)

20. Scott Laughton, Oshawa (2012, Philadelphia)

21. Trevor Carrick, Mississauga (2012, Carolina)

22. Brendan Perlini, Niagara (2014)

23. Matt Finn, Guelph (2012, Toronto)

24. Nick Maygar, Kitchener (2014)

25. Nick Ritchie, Peterborough (2014)

26. Scott Kosmachuk, Guelph (2012, Winnipeg)

27. Jason Dickinson, Guelph (2013, Dallas)

28. Jared McCann, Sault Ste Marie (2014)

29. Sam Bennet, Kingston (2014)

30. Nikolay Goldobin, Sarnia (2014)

31. Nicholas Baptiste, Sudbury (2013, Buffalo)

32. Anthony Stolarz, London (2012, Philadelphia)

33. Henri Ikonen, Kingston (2013, Tampa Bay)

34. Roland Mckeown, Kingston (2014)

35. Ryan MacInnis, Kitchener (2014)

36. Mathew Campagna, Sudbury (2014)

37. Nathan Pancel, Sudbury (2014)

38. Vladisla Kodola, Sarnia (2015)

39. Francesco Vilardi, Plymouth (2014)

40. Cristiano DiGiacinto, Windsor

OHL Hot Future Pros Honourable Mentions:

Nelson Armstrong, Peterborough

Jordan Subban, Belleville

Brandon Devlin, Peterborough

Nick Ebert, Windsor

Blake Siebenaler, Niagara

Andrew Mangiapane, Barrie

Mitchell Stephens, Saginaw

Chris Bigras, Owen Sound

Spencer Watson, Kingston

Mackenzie Blackwood, Barrie

Devin Williams, Erie

Daniel Altshuller, Oshawa

Oscar Dansk, Erie
Justin Nichols, Guelph
Daniel Altshuller, Oshawa

Top 30 NHL Teams Rankings - OCTOBER 2013

We are now at the point in the season where it makes sense to switch from weekly rankings to monthly, to increase the sample data size for each reporting period. Here are how the National Hockey League teams stacked up at the end of October, 2013.

Phoenix made a big move, up five spots to 7th overall, while Tampa moved from 11th into 8th. Vancouver also surged five places, while Nashville and Washington each began finding their game. Teams on the skid included Montreal, Dallas and Florida.


2013-14 NHL Rankings by Team - October    (Last Week)            ( % Playoffs)

Dandy Dozen: 48%- 82% chance of playing 2014 Stanley Cup games

1. (2.) Colorado (65)
2. (1.) San Jose (70)
3. (3.) Pittsburgh (82)
4. (4.) Chicago (70)
5. (5.) Anaheim (62)
6. (6.) St Louis (68)
7. (12.) Phoenix (52)
8. (11.) Tampa Bay (52)
9. (10.) Toronto (52)
10. (9.) Detroit (52)
11. (7.) Boston (48)
12. (17.) Vancouver (50)


Contenders: 41% to 50% chance of being in Stanley Cup playoff games

13. (15.) Los Angeles (45)
14. (8.) Montreal (48)
15. (18.) Minnesota (45)
16. (22.) Nashville (45)
17. (16.) New York Islanders (50)
18. (13.) Dallas (45)
19. (26.) Washington (45)
20. (14.) Ottawa (42)
21. (19.) Winnipeg (45)
22. (20.) Carolina (42)
23. (23.) Calgary (42)
24. (27.) New York Rangers (42)



Lottery Picks: Below 40% chance of making NHL playoffs

25. (24.) Columbus (39)
26. (25.) New Jersey (35)
27. (29.) Philadelphia (35)
28. (21.) Florida (31)
29. (28.) Edmonton (29)
30. (30.) Buffalo (26)

October Report: Top 30 Toronto Maple Leafs players

While the Toronto Maple Leafs have shown they can score goals with the NHL top teams, and play net like there's no tomorrow, the ice between the blue paint area has been a problem. This is not the type of team Randy Carlyle wants, and the schooling provided by the Canucks last night and the Blackhawks last week were all the evidence the coaching staff needed that this may be one of the worst-performing 10-5 teams in a long, long time.

So far in the 2013-14 National Hockey League season, we have been providing weekly updates for the Top 30 Leafs players list, however some weeks the game sample is too small, so frm here on we shift to monthly. Here is our first monthly ranking, determined by value to the Maple Leafs hockey team over the past month.

Top 30 Toronto Maple Leafs Players Rankings



October 2013 - This Month (Last Week)

1. (1.) Dion Phaneuf - Playing a solid game as shutdown D, +10 is 6th among all defensemen in NHL.

2. (2.) Phil Kessel - Unselfish, slick passer has now found scoring touch.

3. (6.) Jonathan Bernier - Steady as a rock.

4. (3.) Joffrey Lupul - On fire since last year, sniper ultra-dangerous.

5. (4.) Dave Bolland - Has led with efforts, faceoffs, grinding and key goals

6. (5.)  James van Riemsdyk - Power forward could score 40 goals, Kessel chemistry.

7. (9.) James Reimer - 4-1 to start season, Leafs have top young goalie tandem.

8. (7.) David Clarkson - Leafs need to emulate his style as a team.

9. (10.) Cody Franson - Slick passer building assists total, helping Reilly along.

10. (8.) Nazem Kadri - Has had moments but few if any real dominating games yet.

11. (14.) Carl Gunnarsson - Best when not noticed, has been solid against top players.

12. (15.) Jay McClement - Defensive whiz has Leafs among top penalty-killing NHL teams.

13. (11.) Mark Fraser - Leafs +/- leader last year sorely missed; may be paired with Gardiner upon return.

14. (12.) Tyler Bozak - On Injured Reserve. Solid 2-way game against league's top players.

15. (13.) Jake Gardiner - Finding his stride, sometimes paired with Reilly on PP now.



16. (16.) Morgan Reilly - Making smarter decisions, has stuck with big club.

17. (17.) Mason Raymond - Strong skater, 2-way game, may be offered an extension soon.

18. (19.) Colton Orr - Steady play, will need to alternate with McLaren, to keep both fresh. 

19. (20.) Paul Ranger - Improving but not smooth yet, may end up as Leafs 7th D-man.

20. (21.) Frazer McLaren - Off the injury list, adds hitting and enforcement.

21. (--) Nikolai Kulemin - Team needs his 2-way game to catch on.

22. (18.) Carter Ashton - Would be wise to emulate Clarkson, but stay out of box.

23. (23.) Trevor Smith - Marlies captain ready when required, up and down.

24. (22.) Josh Leivo - Has been steady in early season callups.

25. (24.) Troy Brodie - Will likely play for Marlies when injured fowards get back.

26. (25.) David Broll - Dark horse Brolldozer will get shot in bigs.

27. (26.). TJ Brennan - Marlies top D-man will get first callup if needed.

28. (27.) John-Michael Liles - Strong depth insurance, or may be moved by deadline.

29. (28.) Jamie Devane - Needs AHL seasoning, can fight and hit in bigs.

30 (29.) Spencer Abbott - Building confidence in AHL, needs to dominate there.



Other Toronto Marlies to watch:

Drew McIntyre, Stuart Percy, Jerry D'Amigo, Tyler Biggs, Greg McKegg, Peter Granberg, Andrew MacWilliam, Korbinian Holzer, Garrett Sparks


Notable prospects:

Connor Brown, Erie Otters - Leads all OHL scorers, now with 14 goals and 20 assist for 34 points in 16 games.

Frederik Gauthier, Rimouski - 16 points in his first 17 games this year.

Matt Finn, Guelph - 4 goals and 12 assists has him 3rd among all OHL D.

Carter Verhaeghe, Niagara Falls - 28 points in 17 games puts him 8th in OHL!

Andreas Johnson, Frolunda - Leading his Swedish Hockey League club in scoring.

UPDATED: Top 30 Toronto Maple Leafs 2013-2014 NHL season

In today's concussion-laced National Hockey League, I believe it takes 30 NHL-calibre players to advance deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs, and it helps if three of them are goalies. Every week so far I have provided my ranking of the Top 30 Toronto Maple Leafs, however I may soon convert to bi-weekly or even monthly, as that will allow for a bigger game sample between rankings.


28OCT This Week (Last Week)


1. (2.) Dion Phaneuf - Playing a solid game as shutdown D-man.

2. (4.) Phil Kessel - Unselfish, slick passer has now found scoring touch.

3. (3.) Joffrey Lupul - On fire since last year, playing at Team Canada level.

4. (6.) Dave Bolland - Has led with efforts, faceoffs, grinding and key goals

5. (5.)  James van Riemsdyk - Power forward could score 40 goals.

6. (1.) Jonathan Bernier - Not superhuman lately, but no letdown either.


7. (7.) David Clarkson - Leafs really really need his passion right now.

8. (8.) Nazem Kadri - With Gardiner and Reilly, offers huge upside for Leafs to get even better.

9. (10.) James Reimer - 3-0 to start season, Leafs have top young goalie tandem.

10. (9.) Cody Franson - Slick passer leading team in assists with 9 in 12 games.

11. (11.) Mark Fraser - Leafs +/- leader last year sorely missed; may be paired with Gardiner upon return.

12. (12.) Tyler Bozak - On Injured Reserve. Solid 2-way game against league's top players.



13. (14.) Jake Gardiner - Finding his stride, sometimes paired with Reilly on PP now.

14. (15.) Carl Gunnarsson - Best when not noticed, steady against top lines.

15. (17.) Jay McClement - Defensive whiz has Leafs among top penalty-killing NHL teams.


16. (16.) Morgan Reilly - Making smarter decisions, has stuck with big club.

17. (13.) Mason Raymond - Will likely be offered a 2-year extension by December.

18. (19.) Carter Ashton - Would be wise to emulate Clarkson.

19. (20.) Colton Orr - Steady play, will need to tap out for McLaren soon, to stay fresh. 

20. (18.) Paul Ranger - Not finishing yet on offence, may end up as Leafs 7th D-man.

21. (--) Frazer McLaren - Off the injury list, adds hitting and protection.

22. (22.) Josh Leivo - Has been steady in early season callups.

23. (24.) Trevor Smith - Marlies captain ready when required, up and down.

24. (25.) Troy Brodie - Will likely play for Marlies when injured fowards get back.

25. (21.) David Broll - Dark horse Brolldozer will get shot in bigs.

26. (23). TJ Brennan - Marlies top D-man will get first callup if needed.

27. (27.) John-Michael Liles - With Bozak on IR freeing up cap space, being showcased for Oilers and Flames.

28. (26.) Jamie Devane - Needs AHL seasoning.

29. (28.) Spencer Abbott - Building confidence in AHL, 4 assists in first 3 games.

30. (29.) Drew McIntyre - 3-0 start with Marls, 2.30 GAA.



Other Toronto Marlies to watch:

Stuart Percy, Jerry D'Amigo, Tyler Biggs, Greg McKegg, Peter Granberg, Andrew MacWilliam, Korbinian Holzer, Garrett Sparks


Notable prospects:

Connor Brown of Erie Otters continues to lead all OHL scorers, now with 11 goals and 20 assist for 31 points in 5 games.

Reimer stellar in 4-1 Toronto win over Pittsburgh

It was a playoff-style effort from the homeside, for with Crosby and Malkin in town, the Carlyle mantra found willing ears. The Davids (Clarkson leading with grit, Bolland with two goals) were fearless, Phaneuf was stalwart, Reimer was super-sharp (he's 3-0 on the season), and the talent (Kessel, Kadri) came through with some goals. If you switched goaltenders, the game may have gone into overtime, but you don't get to do that, so the Maple Leafs are enjoying the rare pleasure of having two of the top twenty young goalies in the world.

James Reimer and Jonathan Bernier among NHL's top young goalies

Pekka Rinne is 31 next week, Luongo's 34, Brodeur's 41, Niemi is 29, Lundqvist is 31, Ryan Miller's 33, Cam Ward and Jimmy Howard are 29 ... that list can go a lot longer. The next generation includes:

Sergei Bobrovsky 25
Jonathan Bernier 25

Carey Price 26
Tukka Rask 26
Ondrej Pavaelec 26
James Reimer 26

Jonathan Quick 27
Cory Schneider 27

This is just a small sampling, yet it gives you an idea of who are the peers of Reimer and Bernier. A lot of the big names in the league will fade over the next few seasons, as the goalies in their mid-20s now will approach 30 and begin to dominate the crucial games, when a netminder has the best combination of athletic ability and big league experience.

The quality in the crease has allowed the Maple Leafs to win ugly more than a few times already this season, and surely lets Carlyle and Nonis sleep easier at night. A goaltending "controversy" of this sort is a problem most times would desire to be blessed with.

Kessel scores 3 in Leafs comeback

It's an axiom that your best players have to lead by example and produce results, and the Toronto Maple Leafs got well-rounded performances from Phil Kessel, Dion Phaneuf, Johnathan Bernier and other top players for the homeside tonight. After being down 2-0 early in the second period, the tide turned with the team killing off a two man short situation.

Kessel's power play goal from van Riemsdyk and Franson was followed less than a minute and a half later by Dion Phaneuf's blast to tie the game. A highlight reel top shelf (half snapper top cheddar) goal by Kessel put the Buds ahead and his Hat Trick marker (from JVR again) sealed the deal.

Bernier stopped 23 of 25 to up his record to 5-3 this NHL regular season.


Clarkson suspension overcome with goaltending and goals

Though Randy Carlyle and Joffrey Lupul surely enjoyed beating their former team, the biggest sigh of relief probably came from David Clarkson. His teammates survived his suspension with a 7-3 record, and with the slump broken, the pressure is off for Friday's likely return to the Toronto lineup.

Carter Ashton has already been returned to the Marlies and with Frazer McLaren, Nikolai Kulemin and Mark Fraser also expected back by early November, the extended training camp and Marlies-Leafs rotation is likely to slow for awhile. Josh Leivo seems the most likely to stick with the big club, though he can expect to be a healthy scratch as often as not.

Phase Two, the post-Clarkson era, begins with a visit to play the Columbus Blue Jackets in Ohio. The Jackets beat the Devils this evening, so we're hoping that bodes well for Toronto's chances of catching a contented team at home.

A three period effort in line with the final thirty-five minutes of tonight's game will make them competitive, and that's all Carlyle is asking. Put yourself in a position to compete and win, and good things will happen.

OCT 21: NHL Team Rankings, Playoff percentages

Big winners over the past week were San Jose Sharks, moving up to #1 position in the NHL, Anaheim Ducks, rocketing from 16th to 5th, and Phoenix Coyotes, advancing to 12th from 19th. Teams dropping included Toronto Maple Leafs, from 6th to 10th, and the Calgary Flames, who fell from 14th to 23rd. 

NHL Rankings by Team          (Last Week)            ( % Playoffs)

1. (4.) San Jose (75)
2. (1.) Colorado (65)
3. (2.) Pittsburgh (80)
4. (3.) Chicago (70)
5. (16.) Anaheim (60)
6. (5.) St Louis (65)
7. (7.) Boston (60)
8. (9.) Montreal (55)
9. (11.) Detroit (50)
10. (6.) Toronto (50)


11. (10.) Tampa Bay (50)
12. (19.) Phoenix (45)
13. (12.) Dallas (45)
14. (13.) Ottawa (45)
15. (21.) Los Angeles (50)
16. (15.) New York Islanders (50)
17. (22.) Vancouver (45)
18. (8.) Minnesota (45)
19. (17.) Winnipeg (45)
20. (18.) Carolina (45)


21. (20.) Florida (45)
22. (26.) Nashville (45)
23. (14.) Calgary (45)

24. (23.) Columbus (40)
25. (25.) New Jersey (35)
26. (27.) Washington (35)
27. (28.) New York Rangers (35)
28. (24.) Edmonton (35)
29. (29.) Philadelphia (30)
30. (30.) Buffalo (30)

Top 30 Maple Leafs so far in 2013-14 NHL season

With the Maple Leafs now sporting a 6-3 win-loss record but suffering from two consecutive losses, here's a ranking of how the lads have played so far.

This Week (Last WeeK)

1. (1.) Johnathan Bernier - Not superhuman lately, still been our best player

2. (2.) Dion Phaneuf - Playing big minutes on 6-3 team, +3 against best

3. (4.) Joffrey Lupul - On fire since last year, clicking with Kadri.

4. (3.) Phil Kessel - Unselfish, slick passer needs to find his scoring touch.

5. (5.)  James van Riemsdyk - Power forward could score 40 goals.

6. (6.) Dave Bolland - Has led with efforts, earned more ice, then delivered

7. (7.) David Clarkson - Leafs really really need his passion right now.

8. (11.) Nazem Kadri - With Gardiner and Reilly, offers huge upside for Leafs to get even better.

9. (9.) Cody Franson - Slick passer leading team in assist with 7.

10. (12.) James Reimer - Leafs among a select few teams with top young goalie tandem.

11. (8.) Mark Fraser - Leafs +/- leader last year sorely missed.

12. (10.) Tyler Bozak - Solid 2-way game against league's top players.



13. (13.) Mason Raymond - Will likely be offered a 2-year extension by December.

14. (14.) Jake Gardiner - Finding his stride, tied for team lead with +3 rating.

15. (15.) Carl Gunnarsson - Best when not noticed, steady against top lines.

16. (16.) Morgan Reilly - Making smarter decisions, may stick with big club.

17. (17.) Jay McClement - Defensive whiz has Leafs among top penalty-killing NHL teams.

18. (18.) Paul Ranger - Not finishing yet on offence, may end up as Leafs 7th D-man.

19. (19.) Carter Ashton - Could be in battle with Broll when Clarkson and Kulemin return.

20. (20.) Colton Orr - Steady play, will need to tap out for McLaren soon, to stay fresh. 

21. (22.) David Broll - Dark horse Brolldozer earning an extended shot in bigs.

22. (26.) Josh Leivo - Has been steady in early season callup.

23. (23). TJ Brennan - Marlies top D-man will get first callup if needed.

24. (24.) Trevor Smith - Marlies captain ready when required.



25. (21.) Troy Brodie - Will likely play for Marlies unless or Orr or McLaren is traded or injured.

26. (25.) Jamie Devane - Needs AHL seasoning.

27. (27.) John-Michael Liles - May be moved to NHL if Leafs will pay half his salary.

28. (28.) Spencer Abbott - Building confidence in AHL, 4 assists in first 3 games.

29. (29.) Drew McIntyre - 3-0 start with Marls, 2.30 GAA.

30. (30.) Stuart Percy - Steady D-man for Marlies still improving.


Other Toronto Marlies to watch:

Jerry D'Amigo, Tyler Biggs, Greg McKegg, Peter Granberg, Andrew MacWilliam


Notable prospects:

Connor Brown of Erie Otters leads all OHL scorers with 11 goals and 18 assist for 29 points in 12 games.

Calling Fraser and Frazer; Leafs need toughness

Toronto Maple Leafs require a lift out of funk

The listless Maple Leafs will surely get a boost from David Clarkson's debut next Friday night, and they have also been missing the defensive diligence of Nikolai Kulemin. The other thing awol lately has been the edge, the swagger the Buds had developed in the pre-season and early games in the 2013-14 NHL schedule. Here's where Mark Fraser (knee) and Frazer McLaren (finger) come into the picture.


Mark Fraser a tough, shutdown D-man

If Fraser is not yet ready to return to the lineup, it will be difficult to send Morgan Reilly back to junior. The Leafs defence has been steady however Randy Carlyle has had to make do with 9 NHL forwards and 3 AHLers (Broll, Leivo with Brodie or Smith). The Leafs with Clarkson, Kulemin and McLaren in the lineup will be much tougher to play against, and if Mark Fraser is also ready to return soon, that raises the steel quotient further. For salary reasons, Carter Ashton may have to spend some time with the Marlies, unless he can significantly outplay the likes of Broll, Leivo and Smith.

Even though the Maple Leafs have not been blown out in any game, their goalies have kept them in a few. Let's hope the two losses in a row (to Chicago and Carolina) instigate a return to the highly competitive Carlyle style.

Leafs prospect Connor Brown nabs OHL player of the week

October 14 - Ontario Hockey League leading scorer Connor Brown was awarded Player of the Week honours after putting up seven points in three games leading up to October 13. The Erie Otters continue to roll on like a steam train, demolishing Mississauga Steelheads 7-0 on the road this afternoon, with Brown picking up a couple of assists.

Drafted in the 2012 6th round, 156th overall, Brown is likely headed to the Toronto Marlies next year, and surely must be enjoying his time playing alongside budding superstar Conor McDavid  (2015 NHL Draft) and undrafted free agent Dane Fox. Now 3rd  in OHL scoring himself (McDavid is tied for 10th), Fox was picked up from the London Knights two years ago. Erie trails only London in the Midwest Division of the OHL.

Toronto Maple Leafs, Top 30 Players 2013-2014

It's only been six games, and a suspension and injuries have kept David Clarkson, Mark Fraser, and Nik Kulemin from dressing recently, yet the Toronto Maple Leafs keep winning. Here is a subjective ranking of the Top 30 Toronto Maple Leafs so far this season.

Bernier and Phaneuf backstop barrage of goal scorers

1. Johnathan Bernier - Steady to spectacular, he's economical and stingy

2. Dion Phaneuf - Top D-man on a 5-1 team and he's +3

3. Phil Kessel - Unselfish, slick passer leads team in assists yet again.

4. Joffrey Lupul - On fire since last year, clicking with Kadri.

5.  James van Riemsdyk - Power forward could score 40 goals.

6. Dave Bolland - Has led with efforts, earned more ice, then delivered

7. David Clarkson - Pushing teammates at practice, chomping at the bit.

8. Mark Fraser - Leafs +/- leader last year sorely missed.

9. Cody Franson - Changing roles as Reilly mentor.

10. Tyler Bozak - Solid 2-way game against league's top players.

11. Nazem Kadri - With Gardiner and Reilly, offers huge upside for Leafs to get even better.

12. James Reimer - Leafs among a select few teams with top young goalie tandem.



13. Mason Raymond - Will likely be offered a 2-year extension by December.

14. Jake Gardiner - Shaky start but now +3 and getting stronger.

15. Carl Gunnarsson - Best when not noticed, needs to stay out of penalty box.

16. Morgan Reilly - Making smarter decisions, may stick with big club.

17. Jay McClement - Defensive whiz has Leafs among top penalty-killing NHL teams.

18. Paul Ranger - Not finishing yet on offence, may end up as Leafs 7th D-man.

19. Carter Ashton - Could be in battle with Broll when Clarkson and Kulemin return.

20. Colton Orr - Steady play, will need to tap out for McLaren soon, to stay fresh. 

21. Troy Brodie - Will likely play for Marlies unless or Orr or McLaren is traded or injured.

22. David Broll - Dark horse Brolldozer earning an extended shot in bigs.

23. TJ Brennan - Marlies top D-man will get first callup if needed.

24. Trevor Smith - Marlies captain ready when required.


25. Jamie Devane - Needs AHL seasoning.

26. Josh Leivo - Has been steady in early season callup.

27. John-Michael Liles - May be moved to NHL if Leafs will pay half his salary.

28. Spencer Abbott - Needs to build confidence in AHL.

29. Drew McIntyre - 3-0 start with Marls, 2.30 GAA.

30. Stuart Percy - +3 for Marlies after 3 games.


Other Toronto Marlies to watch:

Jerry D'Amigo, Tyler Biggs, Greg McKegg, Peter Granberg, Andrew MacWilliam

NHL Team Rankings: Avs, Sharks, Leafs move up

Sizzling Avalanche embracing Roy fire

While there has been a plethora of surprises in the early weeks of the 2013-2014 NHL season, no team has played with the passion and discipline of the Colorado Avalanche, and a lot of credit must go to coach Patrick Roy and young captain Gabriel Landeskog. The most impressive starts have seen the Sharks, Avs, Leafs and Blues roar out of the gate. 

The San Jose Sharks and the St. Louis Blues have also won every game so far in this young, super-exciting season, while the Toronto Maple Leafs, at 5-1, are turning a few heads. The Leafs have 3 potential 40-goal scorers, Kessel, van Riemsdyk and Lupul, plus a solid netminding tandem of Johnathan Bernier and James Reimer.


Hockey and Horses Top-rated 2013-14 NHL Teams 
(Sunday October 13, 2013)

NHL Rankings by Team                      ( % Playoffs)

1. Colorado (60)
2. Pittsburgh (80)
3. Chicago (70)
4. San Jose (70)
5. St Louis (70)
6. Toronto (60)
7. Boston (60)
8. Minnesota (55)
9. Montreal (55)
10. Tampa Bay (55)


11. Detroit (50)
12. Dallas (45)
13. Ottawa (50)
14. Calgary (45)
15. New York Islanders (50)
16. Anaheim (50)
17. Winnipeg (45)
18. Carolina (45)
19. Phoenix (45)
20. Florida (45)


21. Los Angeles (45)
22. Vancouver (45)
23. Columbus (40)
24. Edmonton (35)
25. New Jersey (35)
26. Nashville (35)
27. Washington (35)
28. New York Rangers (35)
29. Philadelphia (35)
30. Buffalo (30)


Pittsburgh has the best chance of making the playoffs due to their dominance in a weak division, based on early season performances. The hottest teams in the league are the undefeated Avalanche (+14), Sharks (+17) and Blues (+12). The rebuilding Calgary Flames have played 5 games without losing in regulation, however they have lost twice in OT and are only +1 as a team.