A Deep Marlies Playoff Run Could Breathe Life Into Leafs

Tell me if these names sound familiar. Andrej Palat, Tyler Johnson, Alex Killhorn, Tomas Tatar, Tomas Jurco, Corey Conacher, Gustav Nyquist, Danny DeKeyser, Luke Glendenning, Reilly Sheahan, Landon Ferraro. No? I would assume if you're reading this, then you're also likely paying close attention to this playoffs. And if you're a Leaf fan, you also know a big part of why those loyal to the Blue and White aren't participating in the post season is due to losses down the stretch to both Detroit and Tampa Bay. Teams which have both won the previous two Calder Cup Championships (AHL Championship), and have both seen their share of players from those teams graduate, and now are significant contributors to the success of their respective teams.

Tomas Tatar hoisting the Calder Cup for Grand Rapids (AHL)

The Marlies begin their post season in the Friday vs the Milwaukee Admirals. And what Leafs management should be hoping for almost more than anything else is a nice, long run, and (if they get a bit lucky) a championship. There's a pretty good correlation between AHL success, and development. We see that in recent history with Detroit and Tampa Bay, and if we look back over the years with teams like Binghamton (Ottawa) Colin Greening, Patrick Weircoch, Erik Condra, Eric Gryba, Zack Smith, Robyn Lehner. In 2007 Carey Price lead the Hamilton Bulldogs to a championship as a rookie. The 2004-05 Philadelphia Phantoms, who may be possibly the best example of success breeding success has a list of names that fit with the who's who of today's NHL stars. Names such as Patrick Sharp, Dennis Seidenberg, Jeff Carter, and Mike Richards. All of which played a significant role in winning the Calder Cup.

 Josh Leivo will be looking to help push the Marlies deep into this seasons playoffs, 

starting this weekend vs Milwaukee.

It's a no brainer to say the Leafs prospects need the experience of playing in the playoffs. What isn't so obvious is the positive impact a prolonged run, and even better, a championship can have on the overall talent level of their parent club. The trickle up affect it can have on even next years roster could be huge. Especially for kids like Granberg, Leivo, McKegg, Carrick, MacWilliam, D'Amigo and Percy. All of which have a legitimate chance at vying for a roster spot with the Leafs this fall.

And there's no reason to think the Marlies can't have a significant run. They won their division (again). They have a decent amount of veteran presence. Their depth in goal is good. And they have one of the more potent back ends with AHL D man of the year TJ Brennan patrolling the point. The talent is there, but the experience may be a little on the thin side. But hey, that's why they plays these games. And it's not like these kids aren't aware of the occasion. They've been doing this almost every spring since they were kids.

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