Maple Leafs cut three prospects loose

With the deadline to sign drafted prospects from the 2009 class (well, ones that fall under certain prospect guidelines) the Maple Leafs let defender Barron Smith and German forward Jerome Flaake become free-agent prospects.

Well, in Smith's case he's not 'free' he goes back into the draft, but with only 80 something' games played in the OHL over the last few years he's going to pass through. Smith was a 7th round selection in 2009

Flaake (5th round, 2008) showed flashes of promise, but never really was able to take his offensive game to the next level in Germany. There was a point where he could have crossed over to play major junior (WHL), but stuck it out in Germany. Had he made the transition, who knows what would have happened with his development. He did look good, in my opinion, on the international stage with Germany at the U20's.

And there's one more bit of prospect news, Ben Winnett (4th round 2007). The forward from the University of Michigan will also not be getting a contract. His rights expire in August, and he's been a pretty big bust since joining the Wolverines.

Good news in this for me is that I don't have to do mundane right ups about these players anymore. I cringed every time I had to write about Barron Smith in a prospect update.

None of these players, at this point (and likely ever) are huge loses for the Maple Leafs. Good luck to them in the future.

Leafs ink Kenny Ryan, and his future with the club

Maple Leafs signed Kenny Ryan to a three-year entry-level deal a few days ago and seeing as I'm a Windsor native, I just wanted to throw my insight into the potential future he has with the club.

Many, including myself, expected big things from Kenny Ryan after he was dealt. But he came to Windsor on heavy stacked team and needed to find a role. He was seen as a bullish, power-forward type with a heavy shot.

What he's been for the Windsor Spitfires in his two seasons with the club is a fan favorite. Not because of his offensive contributions, but because of his tireless work-ethic. He had similar work-ethic and fan appreciation as Dale Mitchell when he was a member of the club.

Ryan isn't going to dominate offensively, but that's OK. What he is good at, is two-way play. Like I mentioned he is a tireless worker, and can really own the puck in the offensive zone. He's not the biggest guy, but he's very solid at 5'11 and around 200lbs. He'll chip in his fair share of offense.

I've seen comparisons made to Ryan Callahan and yes they have similar games IMO, but Callahan being more offensively gifted.

I think Ryan projects as a bottom-six type, but if he's able to find his offensive confidence he could be a really solid 15-20 goal player. I believe he'll be a better pro then he's been an OHL player.

As for his future with the club, I think he'll make the Marlies in a bottom-six role depending on the effort he puts into his skating this summer. He'll need to be quick and strong on his skates to compete with the big boys.

The Marlies have the following forwards potentially joining the team next year or coming back:

Marcel Mueller, Joe Colborne, Jerry D'Amigo, Tyler Brennar, Jamie Devane, Dale Mitchell,
Robert Slaney, Richard Greenop.

They also have the following RFA forwards who could potentially re-sign:

Luca Caputi, Christian Hanson, Brayden Irwin, Greg Scott, Ryan Hamilton.

Not to mention the UFA depth that is likely to be signed to make the team more competitive.

So if I had to make a mock line-up, I think Kenny Ryan could see a depth role. Taking into account Kadri joining the Maple Leafs and UFA additions:

Luca Caputi - UFA - UFA
Greg Scott - Joe Colborne - UFA
Marcel Mueller - Brayden Irwin - Tyler Brennar
Jerry D'Amigo - Kenny Ryan - Dale Mitchell
Robert Slaney, Richard Greenop

(I think Hanson could be cut/traded, Hamilton potentially walked away from, Devane sent back for an OA year, UFA's could be re-signings or new signings)

The good news for Kenny Ryan is that he can line-up at center or the wing which will make him useful. He played center all year for the Spitfires so I think that could be the role he starts with on the Marlies. The potential is there for Ryan to be sent back for an OA year, but I don't think it would make sense to be sent back to a rebuilding Spitfires team.