‘We tried to take care of our own’
Spezza takes lead as Leafs players pitch in to ease Marlies cash crunch
Here’s a stick tap for Jason Spezza, the veteran Maple Leafs forward who realized it’s a tough time to be a minor-league hockey player — their salaries slashed by more than half because of the pandemic — and wanted to help.
Spezza, according to captain John Tavares, gathered the team’s leaders and asked players to chip in and help their American Hockey League brethren with the Marlies.
“He brought it to the forefront,” Tavares said of Spezza. “The leadership group thought it was really important. And I think we know — as a society as a whole and certainly in our game — how tough a year it is for so many. So within the organization, we wanted to make sure we tried to take care of our own.”
Minor leaguers earn a fraction of what NHLers make – some as little as $30,000 (U.S.) this year, and none collecting more than 48 per cent of what their contract calls for — as the AHL itself deals with financial instability while no (or very few) fans are allowed to attend.
It’s tougher still for the Marlies. They haven’t played since April 10, and won’t again until May 2, because of a COVID-19 outbreak. Leafs rookie forward Nick Robertson briefly went on the NHL’s protocol list April 14 upon his recall from the Marlies.
It’s put the Leafs somewhat at a disadvantage, since they had been routinely sending taxisquad players to the Marlies for games to keep them fresh.
“We value that relationship greatly and whether it was (defenceman Rasmus) Sandin or Robertson, guys that aren’t playing every day (in the NHL), you want to get them reps,” said Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe.
Yet somehow the Marlies have done their job overall this year, producing players to help the Leafs. Lately it’s been Sandin and forward Adam Brooks, both of whom look quite at home in NHL surroundings.
Sandin has played the last three games and is getting power-play time, some with the top unit. He picked up his second assist of the season in nearly 14 minutes of ice time in Saturday’s win over Winnipeg.
“The power play is a big part of his game,” Keefe said of Sandin. “He’s got great confidence there. I’ve seen him from very young age, at the American league level, take over a power play ... we wanted to introduce him to the power play and give him an opportunity.
“The way he moves the puck with his confidence that he has at five-on-five really helps us. He doesn’t get rattled by much at all. He’s a competitive guy. So he’s getting better and better every game and that’s really what you want to see with the young player.”
Of course, the hockey world was talking about Sandin’s big hit that levelled Jets captain Blake Wheeler — who, at 225 pounds, is 40 pounds heavier than Sandin.
“He’s got a little bite to his game. He’s able to hold his own,” Tavares said of Sandin. “When you’ve got a lot of guys forechecking on you, as a defenceman that’s important to have. For a guy who’s maybe not the biggest, his ability to hold his own, take the pressure, absorb it and give it back a little bit is just fantastic.
“You see he is going to be a real special player for us.”
Brooks has also fit right in, getting a look on the fourth line between Spezza and Joe Thornton. He has played the last three games and has a goal and an assist to show for it. At 24, it’s taken time to channel his game as an outstanding junior — 130 points in 2016-17 in his final year with the Regina Pats — to the pro level.
“Everything stems from hard work,” said Brooks. “I’m confident in my smarts and my ability to read the game and to be in the right position. When I’m playing hard, that’s when I’m playing my best. It’s really easy to play with Spezza and Joe.
“It’s exciting not only, you know, to be on the ice with two guys — two legends — but to be on the bench with them in between shifts, get some knowledge, just hear what their thoughts were throughout the game.”