Prospects Thread

[The Dougler]

Devane was returned to Plymouth. Balls..

But probably for the best, he should get good minutes

[The Dougler]

I guess it's been a while since we had an update in here so let me give a quick rundown on some of the OHL prospects that I'm familiar with.

Sam Carrick - Brampton Battalion

He was named captain just prior to the season and is having a career year after an injury filled off year last season. He's played in every game this year and is almost at a point a game pace with 33 goals and 61 points in 63 games. He's been a great on ice leader for the Troops this year and eclipsed the 100 PIM mark for the first time too. He also has younger brother, Trevor, playing defence for Mississauga who is expected to go in the 2nd or 3rd round this year and would look great with the Leafs.

He's only dropped the mitts twice this year but I think that speaks more to his increased role with the team than it does a willingness. He's still unsigned so if the Leafs don't sign him by June 1st he re-enters the draft. I hope the Leafs sign him like they did with Kenny Ryan last year. I think he'd be much more of an active fighter in the AHL then he is now.

Here he is in action from the Leafs rookie tournament against WHL tough guy Jesse Astles of the Pens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSJwPBw2-EM&feature...

Stuart Percy - Mississauga St. Mike's Majors

It's been a pretty sh*t year for Percy. He got hurt at rookie tournament and missed the main Leafs camp and a certain shot at playing a couple of exhibition games. He missed a few games for Missy but managed to come back and was a huge part of the Majors hot start where they were ranked in the top 10 in the CHL for a few weeks. He was scoring a point a game clip which is solid for a d man. This in addition to taking over from Casey Cizikas as the Majors captain. He's missed long stretches with a wrist injury as well as a concussion. It's basically been a frustrating year that never was for him. He did come back a couple of weeks ago and played a game or two but hasnt played since. I haven't had a chance to see a Majors game in that time so I hope it's not another head injury. Plenty of players have recovered from early concussion problems in their careers but for Percy this is worrying. He surely would have had a shot at the World Junior team and you can tell by watching them that Majors desperately miss him. He also would have had a good shot at joining the Marlies for their playoff run. Hopefully a long offseason will help him as he is probably the teams most promising defensive prospect.

Here he is doing the captainly thing and going after rugged Whalers winger Tom Wilson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulwXa1DKdT8

Josh Leivo - Sudbury Wolves

I haven't seen much of Leivo unfortunately but he's looked solid from what I've seen. He's managed to put up 28 goals and 67 points in 59 games which is great news for the Leafs. He's not all that physical despite his size but he uses it well when he has the puck and uses his teammates well. The Wolves are having a decent year but don't appear to be a threat to go deep in the playoffs. I'm not sure if he gets signed to an ATO or not but we'll have to see.

He plays on a pretty tough team so only one tilt so far for Leivo. Here he is going with Cameron Wind of the Battalion after a big hit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vEINloGsBw&feature...

Greg McKegg - London Knights

It's been an up and down year for McKegg. Fortunately for us, its been more up as of late. He started off with Erie who are wretched this year. Playing on such a putrid team probably cost him a shot at the World Junior team as well. He was captain of the Otters and was a point a game player for them. His linemates and teammates were often younger players and McKegg is hardly known for his defensive game so in 35 games he was a -39. Having a plus/minus that's the same temperature as Fort McMurray in January isn't a good thing but it doesn't tell the whole story. Since a deadline deal sent him to London, he has been on a tear. He's put up 18 goals and 39 points in 24 games since joining the Knights, who are a Memorial Cup contender this year and one of the best teams in the CHL. He should be with the Marlies next year and that will be a true test for him and his development. To see if he can continue to put up points against men. He's probably the biggest wildcard prospect the Leafs have.

No tilts for McKegg as that's not really his cup of tea but here's a news clip about him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiYn7auWglQ

David Broll - Soo Greyhounds

It's been a disappointing year for the Brolldozer. For one, he only has 5 goals in 55 games to go along with 22 assists. The good news is he has started to come along as of late. He's potted a few recently and looks to be coming out his funk and it's good timing as the hounds are in a battle to make the playoffs but even if they do, they're more than likely be fodder for the Knights. Either way Broll skates well and has been a menace physically. Often nights, guys don't even want to go with him. He's managed to stay healthy and the Leafs player development team has been in constant contact with him helping to improve his game. It does say something that he's a plus player on a pretty lousy team. His bread and butter is playing physical and fighting. He's dropped the mitts 7 times this year and is one of the top dogs in the league. He's already signed with the Leafs so there is a good chance he joins the Marlies at the end of the year.

Here's a couple of his fights from this year

Versus Petes heavyweight Derek Mathers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4sE-O5Yx90&feature...

Versus Windsor machine Ty Bilcke

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDyKIyyBic4

He also avenged his lopsided loss last season to Justin Sefton early this year. Sadly, no video of that one..

Andrew Crescenzi - Kitchener Rangers

Haven't seen as much of Crescenzi as I would like but he is having a career year. He's put up 23 goals and 46 points in 50 games which is double his previous total. At 6'5" and 210 lbs he is huge, but doesn't use his size as much as he could, although he's been much improved in that regard this year. In fact, it was one of his hits that injured fellow leaf pick Stuart Percy earlier this year. He's been signed so he'd be another candidate to join the Marlies again when his season is over and is eligible to play for them next year although he could be a potential OA next year if the Leafs want him to work on his game more. I think he's the type of player who needs to start dropping the mitts more at the next level if he is going to make an impact, he surely has the size for it.

No fights this year for Crescenzi which is disappointing but I think that speaks more to his more important role with the team.

Jamie Devane - Plymouth Whalers

It's been a pretty good overage year for Devane. Never to be confused with a scorer, he's put up 20 goals and 40 points in 54 games and is a +17 which are good but not great numbers for a 20 year old. He's a winger but has played some centre as well and is a trusted penalty killer. It also says a lot that he only has 6 scraps this year. Part of it is him being more important to the team, part of it is being on a tough team and part of it is that few want to fight him. He's not quite the undisputed champ of the league but he's certainly up there. I think playing for Plymouth is good for him too because they're a solid team that produces solid players. He'll most certainly be on the Marlies next year so here's hoping he gets a shot at a couple of exhibition games for the Leafs too.

Here he is working over the aforementioned Ty Bilcke

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1vzQRdntb4

Garret Sparks - Guelph Storm

I'll say this, I don't know much about goalies. But it's no secret that Sparks is having a pretty good year and is looking like a good late round pick by the Leafs. He grabbed the starters role early from overage incumbent Brandon Foote and hasn't looked back. After playing in 19 games last year he has been in 53 already for the Storm and they look to lean on him heavily as they push for the playoffs.

I think that only leaves Sondre Olden who is playing for Erie. I haven't seen much of him but I guess he is having the same type of year as his team, sh*tty. 10 goals and 28 points in 45 isn't great but it's a good experience coming over to learn the North American game. He hasn't signed with the Leafs yet and isn't a lock to do so. He can play for the Marlies next year but if I was to guess I'd say he'll head back to Europe for a couple more years of seasoning.

[Cat Smasher]

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[Cat Smasher]

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