Toronto Maple Leafs: Will the curse of Frankie Corrado return?

With the 2017-2018 season approaching for the Toronto Maple Leafs, it looks like there will be two new players destined for the press box.

Roster projections are the only thing that can keep a hockey fan sane during the offseason. That and trades, but the Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t been doing much of that lately. As it stands now, we can get an idea of what the forward lines and defence pairings will look like.

Dominic Moore will be the fourth line center to replace Brian Boyle. Ron Haisey to start will be playing with Morgan Rielly. Patrick Marleau‘s home on the Leaf’s may be a little of a mystery, but he’ll probably start with Auston Matthews and William Nylander. The rest of the line-up may be fairly similar to last season’s.

Well, all except the third pairing. The left side may be reserved for one of Travis Dermott, Calle Rosen, or Andreas Borgman. That would leave Connor Carrick to play on the right side.

I know what you may be thinking? What about Martin Marincin and Alexey Marchenko? That’s a good question dedicated reader. The two defencemen may not dress for the team next year. In fact, they may be the third rendition of Frankie Corrado on the Leafs.

Frankie Corrado V.3

Marchenko sitting out isn’t a problem. The team claimed him from the Detroit Red Wings, but that was when they needed a stop-gap because of injuries. He had a decent performance in his first game with the Leafs, but that didn’t continue as the season went along. Marchenko may not even be on the roster past training camp. It’s very possible that he gets put on waivers.

Marincin may be the more “difficult” option. We know the advanced stats say that the 25-year-old is a decent defenceman. We know he has the size, and at times has played well for the teams. However, time and time again we’ve also seen Marincin make a costly mistake.

Perhaps the team sees more value in him than we do. For that reason, he may be kept up with the team. However next season comes with expectations. Toronto can’t afford to lose points in games from the same mistakes that Marincin has been prone to make. For that reason, he should stay in the press box.

Putting Marincin on the ice may be ok for a game or two, but if he’s in the line-up consistently, his true colours will show.

Next: Statistically Similar to the Penguins

Do you think Marchenko and Marincin will see time on the ice? Will they be moved, or be sent to the press box? Let us know your thoughts down below!