Call-ups find their niche with surging Maple Leafs
Travis Dermott. Kasperi Kapanen. Now Andreas Johnsson.
If there is one more thing the Toronto Marlies can feel good about in what has been a feelgood season for the American Hockey League team, it’s that the Toronto Maple Leafs pay more than lip service to the idea of developing young players into National Hockey Leaguers.
“You know as a player if you play good down there, you have an opportunity to get called up,” Johnsson said earlier this week. “I have an opportunity now. I just want to show what I can do in this league.”
Dermott, Kapanen and maybe Johnsson — Marlies at the start of the season — are arguably part of the Leafs’ “A” lineup, not just injury fill-ins as the team heads toward its second playoff appearance in a row.
The three have earned their minutes and leapfrogged others for playing time.
It bodes well for the team’s depth heading into the playoffs that the roster boasts so many NHL-quality players.
“We’re a deeper team right now, so that’s a positive thing,” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said Thursday, pointing out the three call-ups were not rushed to the NHL. “If you don’t get guys here too soon, the chance of them having confidence and having an impact on you are better. Once your team gets deeper you don’t rush people.”
Only Leo Komarov was missing on Thursday as the Leafs formed one of their healthiest lineups in some time, skating to a 5-2 win over Nashville. The team took the day off and will reconvene Saturday at the Air Canada Centre to face the Detroit Red Wings.
The Wings are eliminated from playoff contention. With 95 points, the Maple Leafs are pretty much a sure thing to make the playoffs. But it’s not quite clinched. Their magic number is six: Any combination of six points gained by the Maple Leafs or squandered by Florida will clinch a spot.
When the season began, it was Kapanen who felt the squeeze. He’d been a key contributor down the stretch last season and into the playoffs. But the Leafs had a full roster, and Kapanen did not require waivers to be sent to the AHL. So it was not so much for hockey reasons but for roster manipulation that the 21-year-old Kapanen found himself with the Marlies for a third season.
Called up three times this season, the last time being Jan. 22, it seems now Kapanen is here to stay. “It feels that way, but anything could happen,” says Kapanen. “It doesn’t mean I’m going to take my foot off the gas and get too comfortable. You have to play well. There are other guys who want to play, and they’ll take your spot. But I’ve been here for 20-something games now, so I feel pretty good about myself.”
Leafs brass had hinted last spring that they believed the 21-year-old Dermott would be ready this season. Andreas Borgman won the only open spot on the blue line, but is now with the Marlies with Dermott having made a solid impression after his recall Jan. 6.
At one point, there was supposed to be some sort of rotation with Borgman, Connor Carrick and Dermott. But Dermott hasn’t missed a game since Jan. 10.
“He’s real competitive, good fast twitch, thinks the game good,” Babcock said of Dermott. “He’s been able to help us. Carrick has played real well for us as well here. Suddenly, we’re deeper on the back end and therefore a better team.”
Johnsson will require waivers next year, so it’s important the Leafs see what he can do at the NHL level.
Johnsson got his break in part when the Leafs were forced to trade Nikita Soshnikov to the Blues because of roster limitations, followed by an injury to Auston Matthews.
“I’m confident at what I’m able to do, what I feel I’m good at,” says Johnsson, a 23-year-old speedster.
“Having speed, and be strong on the puck, and trying to create offence, and even play good defence. The more I get to play the more I get to know what I can do on the ice.”