Toronto Maple Leafs: The 3 Amigos Kadri, Mueller, D'Amigo

Of all the hockey I have watched this season, the rookie tournament by far has been the best.  Ok, so it is the only hockey I've seen thus far this season.

I think anyone who is a hockey dad/mom or who played ice hockey could feel the tension and raw excitement on all these young hopefuls trying to prove themselves NHL ready.  I've read many comments and stories that this tournament "doesn't matter", "means nothing".  The people writing those comments have probably never tried out for a rep team or watched their son/daughter try making the "club" in a competitive league.  The rookie tournament in my mind brings the reality of how hard it is to make it to the NHL.

The Toronto rookie trio of Nazim Kadri, Marcel Mueller and Jerry D'Amigo did not disappoint.  Kadri and Mueller made an impact from the first whistle and I though dominated the tournament in terms of being noticed.  D'Amigo had a slow start showing his skills, but certainly made himself noticed in the third game against Ottawa.

Mueller was all over the ice, it was very hard to tell what position he played.  This is not a negative, as he did it without ever being put out of position.  I thought it was very interesting that on Ottawa's first goal he was actually playing defence for well over 30 seconds and covering for the defensemen who had been taken out of play on the mid boards.  If it wasn't for his stick breaking he might of prevented a goal.  This is the same style Mueller played in the Olympics against Team Canada and he was just as noticable.  It is too bad he will likely play for the Marlies to start the season as he would be a lot of fun to watch.

Although Burke blows his horn that Kadri hasn't made the team yet, I don't think anyone in Leaf Nation will expect anything less than Kadri being the second line centre (pending a trade).  Certainly it is hard to say Grabovski is any better than Kadri in the second line centre position and both have something to prove.

Jerry D'Amigo certainly brought his "A" game against Ottawa.  The short handed goal was exciting, but he was also mixing it up quite a bit and much more involved in the middle of the ice.  Don't see D'Amigo playing anywhere but the Marlies this season, but he'll be a great asset to the Leafs in the future.