Toronto Marlies 2021-22 Roster Outlook

The Toronto Marlies are hoping to get back on track heading into the 2021-22 AHL season.

This franchise seemed to experience nothing but success from the 2011-12 season up until the 2019 AHL Playoffs. During that eight-year span, the Marlies finished first in the North Division five times. They made it past the first round of the postseason in seven of those years, and finally won the coveted Calder Cup in 2018.

The last couple of seasons, however, have been a different story entirely. COVID-19 has undoubtedly thrown a wrench into every team’s plans, but the Marlies have really taken a couple of big steps backwards. A lot of this is due to graduating prospects and that can be expected, but it’s time to re-tool.

Luckily, the 2021-22 campaign projects to be much different as roster reinforcements are on their way. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the lineup the Marlies took into Saturday’s season opener against the Manitoba Moose.

The Marlies have announced the hockey club’s 2021-22 opening day roster.

Details: https://t.co/fPPs9UrLMz
#ForeverStartsHere pic.twitter.com/vk2h3Nv4Oc

— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) October 15, 2021

THE FORWARDS

The first thing worth noting on the offensive side of things is the infusion of youth. Of the 13 forwards currently on the roster, seven were born in 1998 or later.

A lot of eyes will especially be on 2001-born top prospect Nick Robertson, who is set to play his first full season of pro hockey after battling injuries last year. Other young players of intrigue include a Russian trio of Mikhail Abramov, Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, and Pavel Gogolev.

Abramov was the Toronto Maple Leafs’ fourth-round pick (115th overall) in 2019, and will look to establish himself at the pro level after three solid seasons as a point-per-game player for the Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL).

The 20-year-old Russian center may start the year on the Marlies’ second line, flanked by Brett Seney and Joey Anderson. At least, that was the line head coach Greg Moore went with on Sunday during the team’s final preseason game. Due to inexperience, he could also slot in towards the bottom of the lineup. He ended up on the fourth line for the season opener.

#LeafsForever prospect Mikhail Abramov scores on the penalty shot to put Victoriaville ahead 2-1 as they look to clinch a QMJHL Championship. pic.twitter.com/cPaZapIlIy

— Nick Richard (@_NickRichard) June 5, 2021

 

Der-Arguchintsev is another very young center who is expected to start the season playing a big role. At 21-years-old, he’s not much more experienced than Abramov. With that being said, he does have 12 points in 26 games of professional experience split between the AHL, KHL, and ECHL.

He was not in the lineup for either preseason game this past weekend, with newcomer Marc Michaelis taking his place on a line between Robertson and Josh Ho-Sang. This may or may not be permanent, depending on whether or not Moore decides to shake up his lines in the early going.

Last, but perhaps not least, is the ever-enticing Gogolev. Leafs fans were ecstatic when management was able to scoop up the former OHL standout. He wasn’t always a prolific junior scorer, but his final year saw him produce eye-popping numbers with the Guelph Storm (63GP-45G-51A-96P).

He may never be able to crack the NHL, given the questions about his defense and skating, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to take a flyer on a free prospect. The 21-year-old fared well during a limited showing with the Marlies last season, tallying six goals and 12 points in 13 AHL games. It looks as though he’ll start on the third line, with perhaps some power play time to boot.

Another player of interest, who is currently injured, is 21-year-old center Alex Steeves. After two fantastic season playing in the NCAA’s Big-10 with Notre Dame (65GP-26G-34A-60P), the Leafs inked the undrafted prospect to a three-year, entry-level deal back in March. He will be a welcome addition to the Marlies lineup upon his return, but when that will happen is still unknown.

Alex Steeves 🚨

What a pass by Nick Robertson pic.twitter.com/RAMi2fmtGB

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) September 16, 2021

THE DEFENSEMEN

The Marlies will roll out a very interesting mix of prospects and tweeners as the blue line continues to take shape.

Sunday’s preseason game saw Carl Dahlstrom taking reps with Brennan Menell as his partner on the top pairing. At 26-years-old, Dahlstrom’s already turned into a bit of a journeyman — including stints in the NHL, AHL, and the SHL. What he does boast, however, is 64 games of NHL experience in addition to 181 AHL games.

Menell has seen his fair share of professional action as well, and is coming off a KHL season that saw him win Defenseman of the Year honors. Prior to playing a year abroad, he put together three solid seasons for the Iowa Wild. If this pairing stays together, which is likely, it will be seasoned and reliable.

The second pairing looks to potentially be Kristians Rubins alongside Mac Hollowell. It’s been a slow-and-steady situation when it comes to 23-year-old Rubins’ development, but he’s taking positive steps every year and could very well be Kyle Dubas‘ favourite pet project. He should play big minutes this year, and will also represent Latvia at the Winter Olympics in February. Not bad, considering he was never drafted.

Kristians Rubins said he received a call a few days ago about being picked for Team Latvia.

“It’s an honour and a privilege.”

— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) October 8, 2021

Hollowell is somewhat of a long-term prospect himself. The Leafs selected him in the fourth round (118th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft from none other than the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL). He’s performed well in limited action with the Marlies, and will certainly be expected to show significant improvement this coming season. After all, he’ll be a non-arbitration eligible RFA next summer.

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Neither Rubins or Hollowell has officially solidified second-pairing duties, and will be challenged by the likes of Filip Kral, Joseph Duszak, Teemu Kivihalme, and Alex Biega. A lot of fans have taken an interest in former OHL Defenseman of the Year Noel Hoefenmayer, but he was recently cut from the Marlies roster and will be sent to the Newfoundland Growlers (ECHL).

Biega poses the biggest threat, given his wealth of NHL (241 games played) and AHL (351 games played) experience. If the Leafs happen to run into injury trouble on defense, he is more than likely their first call.

A lot of Leafs fans were ‘oohing’ and ‘ahhing’ at the poise and puck smarts of Kral during training camp, comparing him to former Leafs such as Tomas Kaberle and Carl Gunnarsson. He does play a similar style of game, however he’s still fairly raw and will probably need at least two more years before he’s ready for NHL action.

Kivihalme and Duszak are a little on the older side, and their experience could propel them up or down the lineup. All that depends on whether the Marlies are icing the most competitive lineup possible, or the best development lineup. This is certainly something that could vary night-to-night, especially if Timothy Liljegren rejoins the club at some point.

filip král helping the new leafs czech out the city a bit pic.twitter.com/4HTikE9cIp

— mitch marney (@marnylandersen) September 19, 2021

THE GOALTENDERS

There are a lot of crease questions for the Marlies this season. Both Joseph Woll and Ian Scott will start the year on the injured list, meaning Michael Hutchinson and Eric Kallgren will be the opening duo.

That was the plan, anyway, before Leafs’ goaltender Petr Mrázek went down with injury and had to leave Thursday night’s game against the Ottawa Senators. Now, Hutchinson has been recalled to back up Jack Campbell since Mrázek is out indefinitely. Hutch remained a Marlie until Sunday, however, due to a strange rule.

Mrazek is injured. Once they play a game short a player, they can make an emergency recall on Michael Hutchinson for Monday's game.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 16, 2021

He was naturally supposed to get the majority of the starts to kick things off. After all, he’s been absolutely lights out for nearly all of his AHL career. Now that he’s been promoted to the Leafs, however, a complicated crease situation has become murkier.

The Marlies do have 22-year-old Keith Petruzzelli under contract, who is expected to play for the Growlers. The 6’6″ backstop was selected in the third round (88th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2017 NHL Draft. Starting games for the Marlies could be a tough assignment for a rookie fresh out of the NCAA (ECAC), but he does come with a pedigree. It also doesn’t seem like the organization has much choice at this point.

In terms of the other goalies, both Woll and Scott have had frustrating pro careers so far. Each came with an impressive pre-pro pedigree, but have been constantly thrown off track by injuries and inconsistent play. At this point, it’s unfortunately hard to envision either becoming an NHL goalie.

Woll probably has the better chance, given that he can stay on the ice. Scott has only made six pro appearances since graduating from the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) in 2018-19.

Kallgren, a 25-year-old goalie from Sweden, is the last tender to note and will be an interesting watch to say the least. He was drafted in the seventh round (183rd overall) by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2015 NHL Draft and has played on several different European teams including Oskarshamn IK (Swe-1), Vaxjo HC (SweHL), and TPS Turku (SM-liiga).

He’s only logged five career games between the AHL and ECHL, but also only allowed nine goals throughout those appearances. Regular reps on a North American team seems like a solid litmus test. He was very good during the Marlies’ season opener, allowing just one goal on 26 shots en route to a 5-1 win.

that's .919 goalie in last regular season and .929 goalie in pre-season Michael Hutchinson to you. https://t.co/gaQ3hM6V0M pic.twitter.com/OMOgDOo5Ly

— Sam Tirpák (@SammyT_51) October 15, 2021