Monday, October 19, 2009

Maple Leafs organizational depth analysis, Fall 2009

New article out at Hockey's Future!
While the current Toronto Maple Leaf prospect group is strong on paper, the proof will be in the production over the next few seasons. GM Brian Burke invested heavily in free agents Jonas Gustavsson, Tyler Bozak and to a lesser extent Christian Hanson this summer in an effort to boost the prospect depth. So far, all three players have shown small glimpses of being legit NHL players. But there’s pressure on all three, including 2009 first-round pick Nazem Kadri to deliver quickly.

The combined efforts of GMs Burke (bringing in Bozak, Hanson, Gustavsson), Cliff Fletcher (Luke Schenn) and even John Ferguson, Jr. (Viktor Stalberg, Carl Gunnarsson, Phil Oreskovic) have given the Maple Leafs some young depth who are chomping at the bit.

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Rest of the article found here

Marlies sign Zigomanis to PTO

Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club has signed forward Mike Zigomanis to a professional try-out contract.

Zigomanis, 28, skated in 22 games last season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, registering two goals and four assists for six points. The Toronto, Ontario native has appeared in 189 career NHL games with Carolina, St. Louis, Phoenix and Pittsburgh, collecting 39 points (21 goals, 18 assists) and 85 penalty minutes.

Zigomanis was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round, 46th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

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