Marlies Players Face Tough Path to Maple Leafs Roster Next Season

The Toronto Maple Leafs are poised for another competitive season, but the road for their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, to the NHL is more complicated than usual. Fresh off their second Calder Cup championship, several Marlies players have proven they deserve a shot at the big league. However, with the Maple Leafs’ recent roster enhancements, opportunities may be limited.

This past season, four Marlies players made notable appearances for the Maple Leafs: Jacob Quillan, Dakota Mermis, Dennis Hildeby, and Bo Groulx. Quillan led the group with 23 games played, contributing a goal and two assists. Hildeby stepped in during a goaltending crisis, appearing in 20 games while Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz were sidelined. Groulx made his debut later in the season, participating in 13 games, while Mermis filled in as an injury replacement, playing 11 games before December’s close.

Looking ahead, the chances for these Marlies alumni to secure significant playing time next season are slim, particularly if the majority of the Maple Leafs roster stays healthy. General Manager John Chayka’s aggressive moves during free agency have created a more crowded lineup, making it difficult for the Calder Cup champions to find their footing.

In goal, the departure of Woll and Hildeby has opened the door for new faces, but the arrival of veteran netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, who signed a three-year contract, complicates matters. For aspiring goalie Ivan Akhtyamov, the path to NHL action may require patience, as he’ll need to wait for either an injury or a decline in performance from Stolarz or Bobrovsky. Given Stolarz’s injury history and Bobrovsky’s recent struggles, Akhtyamov could find himself in the lineup for 15 to 20 games if circumstances align.

The defensive corps presents another challenge for Marlies prospects. Veteran Chris Tanev’s limited action last season due to injuries raises questions about his performance at 36 years old, while new additions like Darren Raddysh and Emil Andrae, alongside re-signed Troy Stecher, further tighten the competition. This leaves little room for 24-year-old William Villeneuve, who shone in the AHL playoffs with 23 points in 24 games. In a different scenario, his performance might warrant a healthy number of NHL games.

Young forward Ben Danford is eager to break into the Maple Leafs’ lineup this fall, but with the depth chart stacked against him, it will be a tough battle. Quillan and Groulx appear to be the top candidates for a call-up among the forwards, especially considering Quillan’s impressive season in the AHL, where he nearly averaged a point per game with 14 goals and 36 points in 40 games. Groulx also made a splash during his brief stint, scoring three goals and five points in his first six NHL games.

However, the additions of Nick Paul, Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger, Jack Roslovic, and Gavin McKenna may limit their opportunities. Unless an NHL regular faces a long-term injury, it may be a challenge for Quillan and Groulx to replicate their previous playing time, with the possibility of seeing no more than ten games this season.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.