Two Marlies have been mentioned to take Minten’s Place in the WHL Should He Be Sent Back.
The NHL season is just one week old, which is unbelievable to me.
As of now, Auston Matthews has scored two consecutive hat tricks, and William Nylander is still playing with the assurance he displayed in the previous campaign.
But we should be watching more than just the NHL team within the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. The Toronto Marlies’ 2023–24 season began on October 1. 14, and some excellent performances were given.
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The Marlies lost their opening game of the new season, 5-4 in overtime (OT), to the Rochester Americans, an American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres.
Nevertheless, they managed to secure their maiden victory of the year by defeating Erik Källgren, the former starting goalie for the New Jersey Devils’ AHL affiliate, Utica Comets, 5-2.
Leafs Nation should keep a watch on a couple of those games’ standout players who might be on the shortlist to be called up. The Western Hockey League (WHL) team Fraser Minten’s return to Kamloops Blazers or a Maple Leafs injury would be the earliest this could occur.
I.e.
Homo sapiens.
Many in Leafs Nation assumed that Pontus Holmberg would be playing in the NHL when the 2023–24 season began.
Sadly, Noah Gregor was signed by the Maple Leafs to a professional tryout (PTO), and after impressing the coaching and management team, the team gave him a contract.
Holmberg was consequently demoted to the beginning of the year, but there is still hope for him. As previously mentioned, Minten’s nine-game trial could result in his loan back to the Blazers in the WHL, where Holmberg would take his place as the third-line center.
With him, David Kampf would probably move up to the third line and take up the fourth-line position.
Holmberg has two points thus far this season with the Marlies thanks to a goal and an assist.
That he is able to locate the scoresheet is encouraging.
Nevertheless, his purpose would not be to score goals if he were called up to the Maple Leafs.
It’s a bonus, for sure, but it won’t take priority over everything else.
In approximately ten minutes per game, he would be playing on the checking line with Ryan Reaves and Gregor.
Getting the puck into the offensive zone, working the cycle to wear down the defense, and inspiring the rest of the team are the main goals of his line.
If Holmberg appeared in the NHL within the next month, that wouldn’t be shocking. He demonstrated his reliability as a player for head coach Sheldon Keefe last season, and he might even be selected for the penalty kill.
I.e.
Robbie Nick.
After being named the Maple Leafs’ top prospect during the COVID-19 bubble playoffs in 2020, does it not seem like Nick Robertson is getting short ends?
After his final junior season, in which he finished with 55 goals and 31 assists in 46 games, he was becoming quite the star in Leafs Nation thanks to the videos he was sharing on Instagram.
He has not advanced past training camp with the Maple Leafs in any of the previous three seasons, and it is now 2023.
Having said that, the Maple Leafs’ space constraints and salary cap are partially to blame for the issue.
But, as was already mentioned, Gregor was signed to a contract at the conclusion of training camp, so he might have positioned himself to edge Gregor. Unfortunately, he didn’t, and the Marlies dropped him to the AHL.
I.e.
But don’t panic just yet.
It’s possible that the Maple Leafs decided it would be better for him to begin in the AHL following a season-ending shoulder injury.
Prior to making the decision to bring him back to the NHL, this could help him get back up to game speed and ensure that he can find his form.
But like Holmberg, the cap can cause problems for development.
Robertson might be the player most likely to get promoted if Minten decides to go back to the WHL.
It works for the Maple Leafs’ lines because Gregor, William Nylander, and Max Domi can all move to the middle of the ice.
The team did test that during the preseason, but it doesn’t appear like Nylander will.
Domi will probably move to the middle of the ice, and Calle Jarnkrok and Robertson may follow him to the third line.
Robertson has the most points among the Marlies after two games played.
Along with 11 shots, he has five points from two goals and three assists.
He is therefore acting in accordance with the team’s wishes.
My choice for the first major call-up to the NHL this season is him if he can maintain this pace, or something close to it.
Of course, it’s early, but Leafs Nation must closely monitor the players in the system.
Though only time will tell, it seems likely that Minten will be sent back to junior, which means someone will be called up from the AHL. Robertson and Holmberg are both potential NHL players.
However, how long will they remain in the AHL now that they’ve begun playing there?
Additionally, how long will they stay in the NHL before being sent down?
