Leafs Announce Rookie Tourney Roster

Released yesterday, the Leafs rookie tournament roster:

http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=487080&navid=tor-home-dl

Player	Position
Alex Berry	Forward
Jesse Blacker	Defence
Tyler Bozak	Forward
Joel Champagne	Forward
Jamie Devane	Forward
Andrew Engelage	Goaltender
Stefano Giliati	Forward
Richard Greenop	Forward
Carl Gunnarsson	Defence
Jonas Gustavsson	Goaltender
Christian Hanson	Forward
Nazem Kadri	Forward
John Kurtz	Forward
Simon Lacroix	Defence
Brandon Manning	Defence
Juraj Mikus	Defence
Dale Mitchell	Forward
James Reimer	Goaltender
Greg Scott	Forward
Robert Slaney	Forward
Barron Smith	Defence
Viktor Stalberg	Forward
Mikhail Stefanovich	Forward
Adam Wallace	Defence

Players who are on invitation include Andrew Engelage (OHL), John Kurtz (OHL), Simon Lacroix (QMJHL), Brandon Manning (WHL), and Adam Wallace (OHL).

Engelage, Kurtz, and Lacroix all have the opporunity to turn pro due to their ages (20-years-old). They will be looking to land contracts with either the Maple Leafs or the Marlies.

Engelage has a good chance of landing a contract based on his play last season (46 wins, 4 losses) and the lack of young goaltending depth in the Leafs system. The Leafs have Gustavsson, Reimer and Rollheiser in the system, but with Gustavsson playing back-up to Toskala, Reimer on the Marlies and Rollheiser playing in the NCAA the Leafs need some pro depth on Reading (ECHL). I feel Engelage can fill that role.

Kurtz is a big body, two-way forward who also may have a chance to land a contract - but he'll have to be a standout at the tournament. With the influx of youth that has been brought in over the summer there just seems like theres no room on the Marlies for Kurtz at the moment. That's not to say he can't play in the ECHL but even then the Leafs will have their own drafted and signed players possibly filling out the Reading roster due to young Marlie depth on forward. Also, Kurtz also has the option of returning to junior (OHL) as an overager which may be the best thing for him.

With the lack of puck-moving defenders on the Marlies, the door is open for Lacroix to grab a pro contract. The former Islander prospect tallied 50 points last season in the QMJHL. Although he's another player who has the choice to return back to junior as an overager, Leaf brass will likely be keeping an eye on the offensive-defender during this rookie tournament. He'd be a low-risk signing for the Marlies to make. He has good size at 6'2 and though he needs to put on muscle it's nothing that can't be worked on.

I'll be attending this rookie tournament for games on Wednesday and Thursday. It's exciting to see all the new prospects finally play. It should be a tough two games as prospects battle for the attention of their respective managment groups.

Hockey's Future Leafs Top 20

Though it's been out for a few days now, here is my article on the Maple Leafs Top 20 prospects for the new season.

I know some people were complaining about the lack of 'up to date' profiles on the prospects, and that is being worked on. I've sent in profile pictures for all prospects, and have sent in updated profiles for the top 20. I'm currently working on updating the prospects listed under 'other notables' and hopefully it will be completed by the end of August.

Enjoy!

Maple Leafs Top 20 at a glance

1. (NR) Nazem Kadri, C – 8.0 C
2. (NR) Jonas Gustavsson, G – 7.5 B
3. (3) Mikhail Stefanovich, C – 7.5 C
4. (18) Tyler Bozak, C – 7.5 C
5. (6) Viktor Stalberg, LW – 7.5 C
6. (4) Jimmy Hayes, RW – 7.0 C
7. (NR) Kenny Ryan, RW – 7.0 C
8. (NR) Jesse Blacker, D – 7.0 C
9. (5) Chris DiDomenico, C – 7.5 D
10. (NR) Christian Hanson, RW – 6.5 B
11. (9) James Reimer, G – 7.0 C
12. (8) Dale Mitchell, RW – 6.5 C
13. (NR) Jerry D'Amigo, LW – 6.5 C
14. (14) Phil Oreskovic, D – 6.0 B
15. (16) Jerome Flaake, LW – 6.5 C
16. (11) Matt Frattin, RW – 7.0 D
17. (13) Joel Champagne, C – 6.0 C
18. (NR) Carl Gunnarsson, D – 6.0 C
19. (NR) Robert Slaney, LW – 6.0 C
20. (NR) Jamie Devane, LW – 6.0 D

The rest of the article can be found here.

Back from vacation...

Just got back from a little vacation up in Port Elgin. And of course, there is Leaf news when I'm not sitting by my computer...

MAPLE LEAFS ON THE VERGE OF DEALING POGGE TO DUCKS

Sources tell TSN the Toronto Maple Leafs are about to deal goaltender Justin Pogge to the Anaheim Ducks.

The deal is expected to be completed on Monday.

The terms of the trade have been agreed on with Pogge going to the Ducks in exchange for a conditional late round draft pick that can improve based on Pogge's play.

To fill the void of a Number 3 goalie, Toronto is also expected to announce the signing of free agent goaltender Joey MacDonald.

Ah, the World Junior sensation Justin Pogge looks like he's seen his last days as a Leaf. Not very surprising news as General Manager Brian Burke clearly stated that he intended to move Pogge about a week ago.

So the Leafs traded away Tukka Rask for Andrew Raycroft, and now Justin Pogge for a conditional draft pick. Not too long ago the Leafs young goaltending depth was looking really good with 'blue-chip' prospects. What's left from that is a remaining year of Raycrofts buyout, and a draft pick... not exactly what many had in mind for these two players a few seasons ago.

But this trade is not just "doom and gloom" For one, the possible signing of Joey MacDonald is a good move. He'll provide some insurance in net should Toskala's injury problems flare up again. And at worst, he'll be a stable goaltending tandem with James Reimer on the Marlies until Reimer is capable of carrying the majority of AHL games. MacDonald played fairly well on the worst team in the league; his 0.901% in 49 games is encouraging. Maybe down the line MacDonald makes someone like Toskala movable at the deadline if Gustavsson lives up to expectations?

I like to look at the bigger picture, and try not to be so narrow minded as one move tends to trigger another. The deal is essentially a draft pick (relatively unknown at this point) and Joey MacDonald (29-years-old) for Justin Pogge (23-years-young). At the end of the day, it's not a terrible move and hopefully Pogge can find new life somewhere else because it didn't look like it was happening in Toronto.