Toronto Maple Leafs: Frustrations reaches new level after loss to Dallas Stars
Which Toronto Marlies player should be a potential call-up?
It might be a stretch to suggest that a player from the AHL can help the Leafs but there are players not producing who have been fringe roster players to start the season.
Unfortunately, without Matthews Par Lindholm and Frederik Gauthier are the team’s third and fourth line centres and there isn’t anybody on the Marlies who the team can call up and plug on either line. It’s too bad Sam Gagner is on loan from the Vancouver Canucks because as a bottom six centre he could give the Leafs some help offensively.
Gagner’s cap hit is $3.15 million which would be a lot to pay for a fourth line centre especially one that has struggled the past couple of season. Unfortunately, it would be tough to see Vancouver retain salary in a potential trade but it’s a possibility for the Leafs to consider.
However, there are a couple of wingers who could have an impact if given the chance but Mike Babcock hasn’t been in favour of calling somebody up from the farm team. There has been a lot of talk about Trevor Moore’s emergence and it seemed like he missed an opportunity during training camp but currently leads the Marlies in scoring with 10 points (seven goals, three assists) in nine games.
Another player who Babcock has shown some interest in is Carl Grundstrom but he’s still an unfinished product and is better suited to play big minutes with the Marlies than get less playing time on the Leafs. Don’t forget how strong Grundstrom’s final season in Sweden was scoring 17 goals in 35 games and he carried that over with 14 points in 20 games in the AHL playoffs for the Marlies.
Both players should keep their eyes on the Leafs because if things keep going the way they are one of them could get the call-up down the road.