The Toronto Marlies’ season came to an abrupt halt last week. On April 14th, AHL Communications (@AHLPR on Twitter) announced that three Marlies games were to be postponed due to ‘league COVID-19 protocols affecting the Toronto Marlies’.
Schedule changes: The @TorontoMarlies' games against Laval on Apr. 15 and Apr. 18 and against Belleville on Apr. 21 have been postponed. Makeup information is TBD.
MORE PODCASTS From FPC Network
- Ep 57: Conference Finals, Dubas Out, Coyotes Wandering
by Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2023 at 11:38 amJim and Chris discuss the Conference Finals, the departure of Kyle Dubas […]
The @RocketLaval will visit the @BellevilleSens on Apr. 21.https://t.co/BQ1CEz6S5A pic.twitter.com/GKVrRv2oIB
— AHL Communications (@AHLPR) April 14, 2021
As seen above, the first set of postponed games are as follows—Thursday April 15 vs. the Laval Rocket; Sunday April 18 vs. the Laval Rocket; and Wednesday April 21st vs. the Belleville Senators.
On April 20th, AHL Communications announced the postponement of another trio of Marlies games. This news includes games originally scheduled for Friday April 23rd, Saturday April 24th, and Wednesday April 28th. All against the Belleville Senators.
What Do We Know?
Very little information regarding next steps has been provided by the American Hockey League at this point. For obvious reasons, the league seems to be re-assessing the situation on a weekly basis.
The Marlies’ next game is scheduled for Sunday May 2nd against, you guessed it, the Belleville Senators.
What we do know is this. The Marlies currently sit third in their division and — should they take place — look to be a lock to make the playoffs despite having a record under .500. This is mostly because they’re in the Canadian Division, which only has five teams. Four out of five teams make it, so their odds were always pretty good to begin with.
The Marlies have 14 games remaining, including the six that were postponed. These games are likely to be made up.
Four of those games are against the division-leading Laval Rocket, but even a 4-0 showing would do very little to help the Marlies rise to the top of the standings. Laval has a 16-point lead on the second-place Manitoba Moose—a team the Marlies actually have a shot at catching.
Laval Rocket vs Montreal Canadiens… please make that happen https://t.co/BbS4aK9G62
— Grant 🌊 (@GGProCH) April 18, 2021
What Is The Marlies’ Biggest On-Ice Obstacle Going Forward?
Their biggest on-ice obstacle will be finding consistency in net. Marlies’ starters have collectively posted an abysmal 3.31 goals-against average to go along with an .880 save-percentage across 22 games this year. Ouch.
Offensive depth doesn’t appear to be an issue, even with players like Nick Robertson and Adam Brooks missing time to play with the Maple Leafs. The Marlies have especially enjoyed consistent production from players like Kenny Agostino, Tyler Gaudet, and Kalle Kossila.
The defence has been somewhat inconsistent but relatively sound all things considered, with Timothy Liljegren and Calle Rosen leading the pack. Mac Hollowell has also looked solid. Kristians Rubins, Teemu Kivihalme, and Joseph Duszak have shown positive improvements as well.
Additionally, reinforcements are on the way. The Leafs added a pair of forwards in Antti Suomela and Stefan Noesen at the trade deadline. Suomela has 12 goals in 35 points in 71 career AHL games, and Noesen has 39 goals and 91 points in 150 career AHL games.
Leafs prospect Mikko Kokkonen is also set to join the team on a tryout contract, so there could be some blue line help coming as well.
How Will This Season End?
It’s hard to predict how the Marlies’ season will end. A surprise playoff run would be nice, should there be a postseason. At this point, just getting back onto the ice at all would be an achievement in its own right.
Wishing everyone in the Toronto Marlies organization the best. https://t.co/FV6AAoDulU
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) April 14, 2021
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
-
Ep 57: Conference Finals, Dubas Out, Coyotes Wandering
by Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2023 at 11:38 am
Jim and Chris discuss the Conference Finals, the departure of Kyle Dubas […]
-
Ep 56: Leafs, Oilers, Eastern Conference Preview
by Full Press Coverage on May 16, 2023 at 12:21 am
Jim and Producer Ian discuss the Leafs and Oilers early exits and they […]
-
Eastern Conference and Western Final Previews and More NHL Talk
by Full Press Coverage on May 18, 2023 at 11:00 pm
Full Press NHL Podcast with Jim Biringer and Vox Media AM/FM NHL Analyst […]
-
Taking a Trip Around the NHL as Changes Fill The Air
by Full Press Coverage on May 17, 2023 at 5:10 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Russ Cohen of Sportsology and Buffalo […]
-
Ep 83: Stanley Cup Playoffs Are Here; Can Bruins Keep Up Pace?
by Full Press Coverage on April 17, 2023 at 4:06 pm
Ian and Chris are back to give their thoughts on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, […]
-
Ep 82: Bruins Set Wins Record, Pasta Hits 60, Playoffs Around The Corner
by Full Press Coverage on April 10, 2023 at 2:27 pm
Ian and Chris react to the Bruins 63rd win of the season, David Pastrnak's […]
-
The Hockey World Revolves Around Toronto
by Jim Biringer on May 23, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim is back for a fourth season of the Final Word on Hockey as he is […]
-
S4Ep28 - Stanley Cup Playoffs - Conference Final Preview
by Jim Biringer on May 16, 2023 at 7:28 pm
Jim is back for the fourth season of the Final Word on Hockey previewing […]
-
Stars at Golden Knights
by Broken Controller Media on May 27, 2023 at 4:05 pm
Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown of every NHL Game on the card. For more […]
-
Golden Knights at Stars
by Broken Controller Media on May 25, 2023 at 12:35 pm
Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown of every NHL Game on the card. For more […]
-
Hurricanes at Panthers
by Broken Controller Media on May 24, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown of every NHL Game on the card. For more […]
-
Golden Knights at Stars
by Broken Controller Media on May 23, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown of every NHL Game on the card. For more […]
-
Episode #141: Tend The Goal
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 2:24 pm
The 2023 AHL Calder Cup Playoffs have reached its final four teams, and […]
-
Episode #140: Stone Cold's 4th Line
by Full Press Coverage on May 23, 2023 at 1:41 pm
And then, there were four. The 2023 AHL Division Finals have concluded, […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 766
by Charlie Saunier on May 28, 2023 at 7:01 am
Ep 766 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Game 2 Preview Game 3 Milwaukee […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 765
by Charlie Saunier on May 26, 2023 at 11:23 pm
Ep 765 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Game 1 Preview Game 2 Milwaukee […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - Thursday, May 25th
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 4:00 pm
The Carolina Hurricanes are eliminated in four games in the Eastern […]
-
Full Press Kraken - Thursday, May 25th
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Taking a look at Vince Dunn’s season Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - Thursday, May 25th
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 1:15 pm
What team blueprint should the Blackhawks follow and what is will the […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 764
by Charlie Saunier on May 24, 2023 at 5:19 am
Ep 764 The Renegades Of Puck Preview AHL WCF Milwaukee Admirals Vs […]
-
5/26 - Celtics Force Game 6; Mahomes QB List
by Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics big Game 5 win the Top 5 quarterbacks of […]
-
5/25 - Panthers Advance To Stanley Cup Finals; Celtics/Heat
by Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics and the Heat and welcome in Jim Bringer […]
-
5/24 - Lakers Eliminated, Celtics Force Game 5
by Full Press Coverage on May 24, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss the Lakers loss to the Nuggets in the Western […]
-
5/22 - Celtics, Lakers Face 0-3 Deficit
by Full Press Coverage on May 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John react to the Celtics and Lakers being down 0-3 in their […]