Toronto Marlies Roster Review & Outlook for 2024-25 Season – Hockey Writers – Toronto Marlies

This offseason, i The Toronto Marlies have improved their lineup. Two notable departures are Kieffer Bellows (Nashville Predators) and Josiah Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes). Otherwise, Cameron Gaunce, Dylan Gambrell, Max Ellis, Dryden MacKay, and Luke Cavalin have moved on to make room for new faces.

Steve Sullivan is the only new addition to the staff, coming in as an assistant coach after Rich Clune left the coaching position with the Anaheim Ducks. John Gruden enters his second season as head coach and faces two significant challenges. First, he must change the style of the team. The players were used to a different style under the leadership of Sheldon Keefe, so it will be adjusted. Second, Gruden must manage a broad and talented roster, which is important. Here’s a dive into the Marlies’ roster and how they’ll live up to expectations this season.

The Marlies Forward

For the forward players, Jacob Frasca, Mathieu Gosselin, Marko Sikic, and Ty Voit will start the season in the ECHL. Voit may soon be called up for his talent. Braeden Kressler earned a roster spot with an impressive preseason performance, earning four points (one goal, three assists). Sam Stevens and Matthew Barbolini will end up in the ECHL as the roster is cut.

The team that will lead the team will have captain Logan Shaw, Joseph Blandisi and Kyle Clifford. The front group has many interesting stories, including Nick Abruzzese and Alex Steeves. Neither is close to breaking into the NHL and will work on a contract extension with the team.

A lot is expected of Alex Nylander offensively, while Nikita Grebyonkin enters his first season after winning the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) championship. He had a strong camp with the Maple Leafs but he will gradually be introduced to life in the AHL, seeing time in the third division with Cédric Paré and Joseph Blandisi, three who can contribute across the board.

Robert Mastrosimone and Zach Solow are coming off strong seasons and hope to continue their success this year. Jacob Quillan made a strong impression in ten games at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. Roni Hirvonen recovered from a serious eye injury and returned to the ice last year. The 2020 second-round pick is active on the defensive end, maintains a high level of poise and shows strong body positioning while receiving the puck. He excels at anticipating plays, preventing passes and shooting lanes, and making defensive adjustments during plays. He will try to be a regular forward and move up the team’s depth chart.

Rookie Ryan Tverberg was the Marlies’ best player last season. Unfortunately his season was cut short by injury, so now he has to show that his success was not due to mistakes or because of his partnership with Bellows who has left him. Fraser Minten was also injured. Minten showed great growth and development in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Kamloops Blazers before being traded to the Saskatoon Blazers. At 20 years old, the Marlies are the best stepping stone to continue to develop and work his way into the Maple Leafs.

The Marlies The protectors

The Marlies should have a strong blue line this season. Topi Niemelä, Marshall Rifai, William Villeneuve, and Mikko Kokkonen are the top four defenders proposed. Rookies Cade Webber and Nicolas Mattinen will compete for playing time, along with Tommy Miller, Jacob Bengtsson, and Matteo Pietroniro. Rhett Parsons and Chas Sharpe were reassigned to Cincinnati.

Related: Maple Leafs’ Niemela in Breakthrough Season Following Prospect Showdown Performance

Whenever he comes off long-term injured reserve (LTIR), Dakota Mermis will provide additional depth and experience to the defensive lineup. However, the health and performance of the Maple Leafs defense will determine his time in the AHL.

The Marlies Setting goals for yourself

The Marlies have plenty of scoring options to start the season. Dennis Hildeby made the most of his chance to start with the big club, winning his first NHL game against the New Jersey Devils. Assuming Joseph Woll’s injury isn’t serious, Hildeby will be the Marlies’ top hitter when Woll returns. However, there is a lot of competition in the playing time.

There is no doubt that Artur Akhtyamov will be the backup without Matt Murray in the lineup. I expect Vyacheslav Peksa to be reassigned to Cincinnati for more ice time, considering the crowded situation at the position when Hildeby returns. For now, though, he’s on the Marlies’ opening night roster.

What is unknown is how Murray and possibly Jon Gillies (PTO) fit into the equation. Murray has something to prove about life and rebuilding self-confidence in his body and soul. When will the organization decide that playing Murray means blocking the development of new prospects? However, much will depend on Woll’s health, his return time, and his performance upon his return. If Woll is healthy and active, expect Hideby to be sent back to the Marlies.

Prospects Enter the Season

The Marlies had a disappointing 2023-24 season. They did not do well in the playoffs and were quickly eliminated by the Belleville Senators in the first round. Given the depth of their roster, the team has high expectations for 2024-25. The Marlies had a 15-14-7 home record last season but will look to improve on that with their first five of six games and five home games in November at the Coca-Cola Coliseum.

If the Marlies don’t perform well early on, they will have a tough time in the new year. In December they will play six out of ten away games. Then, from Jan. 10 to Feb. 1, will play ten straight games on the road, traveling to games against the Syracuse Crunch, Utica Comets, Manitoba Moose, Bakersfield Condors, San Jose Barracuda, and San Diego Gulls.

After playing two games against San Diego at home to start their season, Toronto will face different opponents in nine of the next eleven games. The Marlies’ depth should provide insurance for a tight early season. Toronto has seven games in fifteen days, including three out of three weekends.