Thursday, April 19, 2012

David Broll - The Bulldozer

Age:19
Position:Left Wing
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 216lbs
Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2011, 6th Round 152nd Overall Pick.
Currently playing with Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds(OHL)

The Summary
David Broll plays a mean game.  He battles hard, competes, and plays a very physical game, fully utilizing his size. When he hits, he hits hard, and the other teams fear him. He can handle the puck pretty well, but his skating needs improvement.  He has been a physical force in the OHL and has shown that he can play a solid two-way game.

The Now
David Broll completed his second season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and he registered 59 games, 8 goals, 25 assists, and 33 points.  He hasn't been able to score much goals, but has displayed his ability to share the puck and make plays.  The parts that he is noticeable is the penalty minutes as he registered 81 minutes this past season.

The Coming Soon
David Broll has the size to be a solid third or fourth line player in the future.  He will need to work on his skating to be able to compete at the pro level.  David's physicality and compete level can benefit any team he plays for as he can help provide the team with a spark and makes himself an intimidating force to all his opponents.


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Jussi Rynnas - The Depth Goalie

Age: 24
Position: Goalie
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 205lbs
Signed as a Free Agent by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010.
Currently playing with Toronto Marlies (AHL)

The Summary
Jussi Rynnas is a really big goalie at 6'5".  He is very quick but is sometimes is too aggressive and gets out of position.  A free agent signing by Brian Burke, Jussi Rynnas is 4th on the Leafs depth chart behind Ben Scrivens.

The Now
Jussi Rynnas spent the past year playing between the Toronto Marlies of the AHL and the Reading Royals of the ECHL.  He was beat out by Ben Scrivens in the Marlies and was sent down to get some playing time with the Reading Royals.  Late in the season, Jussi was called up for 2 games with the Leafs due to injuries, but he was unable to register a win. 

The Coming Soon
Jussi Rynnas has the size to fill up the net and the quickness to maneuver around the crease.  He needs to develop his game some more and play more positionally sound.  Jussi is a solid depth goalie who has the tools to be successful.  He just needs time to develop and adjust his game.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Stuart Percy - The Solid and Reliable

Age:18
Position: Defenceman
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 187lbs
Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010, 1st Round 25th Overall Pick.
Currently playing with Mississauga St. Michael's Majors(OHL)



The Summary
Stuart Percy is a solid two-way defenceman.  He can chip in offensively and he can shut down the opposing teams best players.  Throughout his junior career, Stuart has been put into many situations in the game and has established himself as a really reliable defender for his teams.  Last season, he helped lead the Mississauga St. Micahel's Majors to the OHL Championship Series. 

The Now
Stuart Percy had a shortened season this year with concussion problems, but he was able to register 25 points in 34 games.  He is one of the leaders on the Mississauga St. Michaels Majors and he has been developing his all around game and building up strength for the pros.  As a member of the Majors, Stuart has been gaining a lot of exposure to all kinds of situations and he is shows good composure and calmness in his game. 

The Coming Soon
Stuart Percy is projected to be a very solid and reliable 2nd pairing defender in the NHL.  He has a complete game where he can play offensively and move the puck around and he can sit back and shut down the opposing team. Stuart will need some more time to develop his overall game and build up strength to adjust to the NHL.  There is no rush for Stuart as he is still young and can play another season in the OHL, where he will be a key member of the team. 








Tyler Biggs - The Power Forward

Age:18
Position: Right Wing
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 210 lbs
Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010, 1st Round 22nd Overall Pick.
Currently playing with Miami RedHawks (NCAA)

The Summary
Tyler Biggs is a power forward.  He works hard every shift and isn't afraid to throw his weight around.  He uses his size and body very well and he has some offensive potential.  He provides his team with a big body presence in front of the net and he forechecks hard and delivers punishing hits and intimidation. Tyler competes hard, stands up for his teammates and provides his team with a physical force and intimidation. 

The Now
Tyler Biggs is completing his first season in the NCAA with the Miami RedHawks.  He played 37 games, 9 goals, 8 assists and a total of 17 points.  The numbers aren't the greatest, but it is his first season so there is room for him to adapt and improve in the next few years. He is still developing, getting bigger, working on his offensive skills and his speed and footwork. 

The Coming Soon
Tyler Biggs has the makings of a very effective power forward.  He competes hard, uses his body effectively, sticks up for his teammates, and hates losing puck battles.  He is the type of player that the Toronto Maple Leafs are missing right now.  He will need more time to develop though as he needs to refine his skills and adapt to the speed of the NHL. If Tyler develops well and has a lot of success in the NCAA and is able to translate it to the AHL and NHL, then he can be a top 6 player in the NHL. He will need to improve his offensive skills in order to sustain a spot in the top 6.  If he struggles to produce numbers in the pro leagues, then he could still be a very effective bottom 6 player that can provide the team with a spark and a big body presence.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Brad Ross - The Super Pest

Age:19
Position: Left Wing
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 183lbs
Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010, 2nd Round 43rd Overall Pick.
Currently playing with Portland Winterhawks(WHL)

The Summary
Brad Ross is simply a super pest.  He plays with energy, grit and aggression and combines it with offensive skills.  He is a really tough player to play against because he gets in opposing players faces and is not afraid to drop the gloves with anyone.  He is really good at getting under the skin of opposing players and if that's not enough, he'll score a goal or two to frustrate them some more. Brad Ross is a heart and soul player who puts in 110% every shift and does whats necessary to get his team going and for his size he plays a lot bigger than his size.  Brad Ross signed an Entry Level Contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs two days ago and he may join the Toronto Marlies as soon as this month if his WHL team is eliminated from Playoffs.

The Now
Brad Ross has been playing in the WHL with the Portland Winterhawks since he was drafted by the Leafs and he has been improving offensively each year.  This season he has tallied 42 goals, 40 assists, 82 points and 163 penalty minutes in 68 games played.  With the Winterhawks, he has been playing with the skilled players because he can open up the ice and provide space for those players and he and his line mates have been very successful. 

The Coming Soon
Brad Ross will most likely be competing for a spot with the Toronto Marlies next year.  If he impresses Leafs management during training camp next year, he may get a shot at the third or fourth line with the Leafs.  I think if Brad can impress Leafs management next year, he will be a valuable asset to this team because he can provide energy, skill, and grit which the Leafs seem to be lacking. Brad Ross will need to bulk up a little more to be able to play his type of style in the NHL so it may be a couple more years before we see Brad Ross secure a permanent spot on the Leafs roster.  Brad Ross is projected to be a third or fourth line energy player with some skill.  He plays a similar style to Darcy Tucker.  I believe that once Brad has earned a permanent spot on the Leafs roster, he will be a fan favourite because of the energy, grit and skill he brings to the game.


Thursday, March 15, 2012

Greg Mckegg - The Natural Scorer

Age:19
Position: Centre
Height: 6'0
Weight: 191lbs
Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010, 3rd Round 62nd Overall Pick.
Currently playing with London Knights(OHL)

The Summary
Greg Mckegg was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010.  He has been developing in the CHL for the past 4 years, most of which were spent with the Erie Otters and recently the London Knights.  He is a dynamic offensive player who can naturally score goals and has quick hands to maneuver in tight areas.  He is not very physical but is not afraid to get into the dirty areas and he is defensively sound forward who works hard to back check and support the defense. Greg is an interesting Leafs prospect as he was drafted in the third round and is developing into a successful offensive player and his chances of making the Leafs roster appears to be closer to reality. 

The Now
Greg Mckegg is in his fourth season developing in the OHL.  He was captain of the lowly Erie Otters and was recently traded to one of the league's best, the London Knights.  The London Knights are a highly skilled team and this proves to be a great opportunity for Greg to take his game to the next level by being around better skilled players. So far, it appears he has had a lot of success with his new team as he has registered 19 goals, 22 assists, 41 points in 28 games.  In comparison, this season with the Otters, he registered 12 goals, 22 assists, 34 points in 35 games. Gregg appears to be in a very successful environment now and this shows positive signs in his development. 

The Coming Soon

Greg Mckegg looks to be in his last season in the OHL and with his continued success, next year he may be part of the Toronto Marlies.  He will need to get stronger and adjust to faster game pace and bigger bodies as he makes his transition to the pros. He should provide the Marlies with an upgrade offensively and give them some offensive spark with his natural goal scoring abilities.  Greg has the tools to be a solid third line centre for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the next few years as he is able to provide a solid defensive game and also contribute offensively as well. 

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Korbinian Holzer

Age: 24
Position: Defenseman
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 205lbs
Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2006, 4th Round 111th Overall Pick.
Currently playing with Toronto Marlies (AHL)

The Summary
Korbinian Holzer is a solid two-way defenseman.  He has the size to complement his physical play and he is quite mobile.  He is a really reliable player as he has excellent defensive awareness and is willing to block shots. Not only can he play solid defense, he can also contribute offensively, as he has shown in international play as he was able to register 6 goals, and 16 assists with team German at the Vancouver winter Olympics. 

The Now
Korbinian Holzer is in his second season with the Toronto Marlies and throughout the two years, he has been called up with the Leafs a few times, but due to the depth of the Leafs defense, his stay was not permanent.  This year he has played a significant role with the Toronto Marlies and has played 53 games, registering 1 goal and 16 assists with a +5.  He has been slowly developing in Germany and now in the AHL, and there are signs that the Toronto Maple Leafs are about to give him a big opportunity with the big club very soon because the Leafs recently traded a similar player in Keith Aulie at the trade deadline. 

The Coming Soon
Korbinian Holzer has shown that he can compete in the AHL and his play has persuaded Leafs management to give him an opportunity in the NHL.  With the recent collapse of the Toronto Maple Leafs, it may force Brian Burke to make some adjustments to the team and I believe that Korbinian Holzer will be one of the new additions to the Leafs next season.  His combination of size, physicality, defensive awareness, and mobility provides the Leafs with another potentially reliable defenseman who can contribute in all zones.  He has shown great results in his development and the NHL is the next step for him and I believe that he will make a solid third pairing defenseman for the Leafs.