Toronto Maple Leafs: Jerry D'Amigo Stealth Sniper?

Ok, at first glance I was really disappointed watching Jerry D'Amigo in his first two games at the Rookie Tournament.  The only reason anyone noticed him in the first game was people thought that the announcer was pronouncing his name wrong as DiDomenico (Christopher) who was playing for Chicago.  Yes, D'Amigo did get a goal, via a tip when he happened to skate in front of the shot.

After watching D'Amigo get plastered into the corner boards in the second game, did I understand why I couldn't see D'Amigo.  He has gone stealth.  Twice in the second game D'Amigo appeared from nowhere and almost scored a goal.  Other than that, he was totally invisible on the ice.

Certainly, I was one who thought D'Amigo would shine in this rookie tourney.  When Kadri and Mueller sat out the second game, it was D'Amigo's chance to show us his stuff, to be the guy charging the net and taking shots.  Unfortunately what I saw was a passive, pass off the puck pleyer who was a shadow of himself hanging on the sides and avoiding the traffic.

Having said that, I thought D'Amigo played a much stronger second game.  He was certainly starting to step things up as the game progressed into the third period.  It would be nice to see him get another chance to play with Kadri (even though I'd prefer to watch Mueller on Kadri's LW).  Overall, you can see that D'Amigo needs at least a full season in the Marlies and no doubt Burke will put him there.

As little impact as D'Amigo has had in the Rookie Tourney, he did manage to hit the net a few times and score a goal, which says that he does know where the net is and can hit it.  It isn't hard to understand that D'Amigo's game will have to adapt to the speed of the AHL and NHL, but it is good to see he can snipe and do it effectively.