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Toronto Maple Leafs: Number of Marlies ready to compete for NHL spot

By James Reeve

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: Andreas Johnsson #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates during warm-up prior to action against the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round in the 2018 Stanley Cup Play-offs at the Air Canada Centre on April 23, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: Andreas Johnsson #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates during warm-up prior to action against the Boston Bruins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round in the 2018 Stanley Cup Play-offs at the Air Canada Centre on April 23, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Marlies will remember their Calder Cup success for many years to come, but some have far higher goals that might be within reach very soon with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The AHL affiliates of the Toronto Maple Leafs have snapped a 50-year hockey championship drought for the city of Toronto and the players will have many eyes on them moving forward.

This summer, a number of Marlies will head into training camp with the NHL club and will be determined to stick around rather than drop back down into the minors.

Some players are effectively guaranteed a spot on the NHL roster, with Travis Dermott a clear NHL-calibre player already and Andreas Johnsson‘s storming performance in the playoffs showing he is too good for the AHL.

Both players have already spent spells with the Maple Leafs, but will now look to cement their spot on the 23-man roster next season, particularly with a number of free agents likely to leave in the summer.

A number of other Marlies players will hope to impress after a long, valuable run in the Calder Cup playoffs.

Miro Aaltonen played regularly alongside Johnsson and could stake a claim for the team’s fourth-line centre.

Carl Grundstrom, who joined the Marlies after developing his game in Sweden, will also hope to lay claim to a fourth-line role, having impressed both in his home country and during his brief stint in the AHL.

Grundstrom will probably start the season back in the minors, however, with the Maple Leafs hierarchy likely to want to see extended periods of solid play from the physical winger.

One player that fans will no doubt be focusing on this summer is Timothy Liljegren, the 17th overall pick in the 2017 draft.

The Swede is looking like a real star of the future and has been developing well in the AHL, despite his offensive side seemingly taking a dip.

The smooth passing right-handed defenceman is hoping to impress well enough to be given at least a brief spell in the NHL, potentially nine games that would allow the team to assess his readiness.

While he might be better served with another year in the AHL, playing more minutes against seasoned pros, Liljegren could very well start the season with the Leafs.

A number of other players will hope to carry positive AHL seasons into training camp, with Justin Holl, Pierre Engvall and Jeremy Bracco also likely to try and make the Maple Leafs coaching staff take notice.

With the Marlies having a strong, historic season, there will be plenty of opportunities for the team’s top performers to impress this summer.

Next: When will Auston Matthews sign his contract extension?

Who will make the team next season? What do you think Toronto Maple Leafs and Marlies fans? Who would you like to see make the NHL team out of training camp?

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