AHL Calder Cup Playoff Preview – Eastern Conference (North Division)

Jacob Stoller — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 22:36:24 +0000

AHL North Division

CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 23: Toronto Marlies right wing Jeremy Bracco (27) controls the puck during the first period of the American Hockey League game between the Toronto Marlies and Cleveland Monsters on January 23, 2019, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

(3rd) Toronto vs (2nd) Rochester

Toronto’s strength: Throughout all the roster turnover—-injuries, trades, call-ups, loans, ATO additions— that the Toronto Marlies have experienced, their power play has continued to be top-notch throughout the year. Jeremy Bracco, the AHL’s second leading scorer (78 points), and Chris Mueller—whose 16 power play goals were one goal shy of tying for the league lead—-are two guys that can change the course of a game if given opportunities on the man-advantage.

Toronto’s weakness: When Michael Hutchinson was recalled by the Leafs two weeks ago—putting a nail in the coffin on his AHL eligibility for the rest of the year—the Marlies were put back to square one with their goaltending situation. Kasimir Kaskisuo—who struggled at the beginning of this year when he was the starter, looking far better in a backup role throughout the second half of the year—-is now the teams’ number one. Making matters worse for the Marlies is the fact that they won’t have Calle Rosen—one of the top defenceman in the entire AHL this season—to log big minutes and provide some insurance on the backend.

Prospect to watch: Mason Marchment. The 6-4” winger is one of the most unique prospects throughout the Leafs’ entire organization, and his combination of skill, tenacity and size is rare to find in today’s NHL. Marchment plays on edge and he is a playoff-type player. He is a gamer. The Uxbridge, Ontario native recorded nine points in 20 games of playoff action last spring, as he helped make up 1/3 of the AHL’s most dangerous fourth line alongside Trevor Moore and Adam Brooks.

Rochester’s strength: The fact that Buffalo stumbled out of a playoff spot after a hot start is Rochester’s biggest advantage right now. Thanks to Buffalo’s struggles, Laurence Pilut—26 points in 30 games AHL games— and Alex Nylander—31 points in 49 AHL games-will both return to Rochester after promising NHL showings. Adding these two players back into the fold of what is an already ultra-skilled AHL lineup is going to give Rochester a huge edge in this series.

Rochester’s weakness: Rochester stacks up pretty well against Toronto, but if we had to peg one weakness, it would be the penalty kill. While Rochester is just two spots behind cracking the top-ten in penalty kill efficiency (12th, 81.7%), Rochester certainly isn't going to want to be taking many penalties against a powerhouse power play like Toronto’s.

Prospect to watch: Victor Olofsson. The 23-year-old crafty winger recorded 63 points in 66 games with Rochester, not to mention four points in six NHL games with Buffalo this season. He is quick, elusive, skilled and beaming with hockey sense. If you don't know Olofsson’s name by now, chances are you will by the end of this year’s playoffs.

Prediction: Rochester takes series 3-1

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 30: Syracuse Crunch right wing Taylor Raddysh (18) on the ice during the first period of the American Hockey League game between the Syracuse Crunch and Cleveland Monsters on November 30, 2018, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

(1) Syracuse vs (4) Cleveland

Syracuse’s strength: Syracuse’s depth is the team’s biggest asset. Crunch head coach Benoit Groulx has had the luxury of being able to try a variety of different line combinations throughout the year, thanks to having a plethora of skilled players including rookie of the year Alex Barre-Boulet, league-leading scorer Carter Verhaeghe, and established AHL forward Cory Conacher, among other high-end prospects throughout the lineup.

Syracuse’s weakness: Syracuse has also been fortunate to have both Eddie Pasquale and Connor Ingram sharing their crease for most of the year. With Ingram out of the fold and down in Orlando (ECHL)—for reasons that have not been explained clearly— the team will have to rely on Eddie Pasquale. Pasquale has been fine throughout the year, but the team’s outlook certainly changes when it is just him between the pipes and without an Ingram-caliber contingency plan.

Prospect to Watch: Taylor Raddysh. Raddysh may not have taken home rookie of the year honors like Barre-Boulet and he may not even be top-five in scoring on his team— but he is lightning in a bottle. A well-known playoff performer in his OHL days—scoring over a point per game through 78 OHL Playoff games—Raddysh possesses a hard nose for the net and the tenacity to get in the dirty areas that is so valuable come playoff time. Look for him to light the lamp a couple of times in this series.

Cleveland’s Strength: Star power. Cleveland has got a hell of a team on paper, with veterans like Zac Dalpe, Mark Letestu and Nathan Gerbe complementing the raw-talent of guys like Sonny Milano.

Cleveland’s weakness: Depth. Columbus’ unlikely first round sweep of Tampa, Syracuse’s affiliate, has meant that players like Adam Clendening and Eric Robinson are currently Black Aces for Columbus and unavailable for the Monsters.

Prospect to watch: Sonny Milano, who one AHL head coach told Mckeens hockey is a “Game-changer at the AHL level”, has been fluctuating between the NHL and the AHL all season, suiting up for 27 games with the Monsters this year and recording 24 points in the process. As the clock ticks on his prospect lifeline, surely he will be motivated to body his way into the NHL for next season.

Series prediction: 3-0 Syracuse

Swinging For The Fences

Carl Lemelin — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 13:55:24 +0000

With the World Series upon us, there is no better time to tackle the art of hitting homeruns... Fantasy hockey style that is! Two weeks into the regular season is still early enough to find those undervalued assets that could land you a championship (or a few) for a clearance price-tag.

It could be a struggling veteran, a high-ceiling youngster who has yet to get his chance at glory or a late-blooming prospect. The key is identifying potential signs pointing to a pending explosion in a player’s production.

The second step will be evaluating the cost: if the player is a free agent, you may have to release someone from your current roster to make room for the new acquisition; if he belongs to a competitor you’ll have to put together an attractive enough package to make your counterpart bite on the offer, without affecting your starting lineup.

Just remember that when you swing for the fences, you must be willing to strike out once in a while. That’s why you shouldn’t spend more than depth players and/or draft picks on under-the-radar purchases, unless you are completely sold on the player’s upside.

It’s definitely too late for Alexander Steen to qualify, but here are a few other notable bombs that have yet to detonate.

Ryan Johansen (C) – CBJ: The 21 y/o has had an underwhelming first couple of seasons in The Show, but we can’t ignore the talent level that made him the Jackets’ 4^th overall pick in the 2010 draft. He’s since made consistent gains in strength and skating technique. He may have been rushed by Columbus, cracking the lineup straight out of junior, but had a fortunate confidence-building stint in the AHL during last year’s lock-out (40-17-16-33). Recently posted his best outing as a pro, recording a goal and a helper and logging a career-high 20:22 TOI in Montreal on October 17^th. Finally seems to have grabbed a hold of the second line role on an improving roster. Prime candidate if available or if his current owner has lost patience.

T.-J. Brennan (D) – TOR: Should be a fantasy free agent since he didn’t make the Leafs’ opening day roster out of camp. Part of a fantasy GM’s due diligence is following up on AHL stats and if you have, you’ve already noticed the ‘Justin Schultz’-type start to the season that Brennan is authoring (5-8-4-12, +4 – league scoring leader). You read it right, that is not a typo! Brennan is a key injury away from a shot at quarterbacking the Leafs’ PP and might then do too good a job to be sent back down. He’s already proven he can produce offense in the NHL (19-2-7-9 for Florida last season). Great opportunity if your league allows for a farm team or a deep roster. Hurry before someone else notices the video game numbers!

Cory Conacher (LW-RW) – OTT: Only has 7 points in his first 20 games as a Senator (8-2-0-2 this season), after a strong start in his rookie season with the Lightning last season (35-9-15-24). There is a reason this torpedo of a winger was called ‘mini- St-Louis’ in Tampa Bay. He has the exceptional vision and the proverbial knack for being in the right place at the right time. Now his +4 rating has him in coach Paul MacLean’s good books, which has translated in a regular spot on Ottawa’s first line and first PP unit (with Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek). He’s on the verge of a major breakthrough and has point-a-game upside.

Slava Voynov (D) – LAK: The young Russian rearguard has been quiet following a stellar campaign in 2013 that featured a Conn-Smythe type performance during another solid playoff run for the Kings. He is well behind last year’s point producing pace, but it is noteworthy that his booming point shot has him on an early pace for his best goal-scoring season. The assist shortage (9-2-1-3 so far this season) might simply be a by-product of a generally anemic start for L.A. offensively (21^st overall with a 2.33 G/G). Voynov has been much more involved in the offense lately and should get back on track toward a 40-50 point posting. Trigger-happy fantasy owners could be lured here.

Cory Conacher – McKeen's Hockey

AHL Calder Cup Playoff Preview – Eastern Conference (North Division)

AHL North Division

(3rd) Toronto vs (2nd) Rochester

(1) Syracuse vs (4) Cleveland

Swinging For The Fences