Toronto Maple Leafs Farm Report: Nazem Kadri Starting To Put It All Together

It's been a very up and down season thus far, with the Baby Leafs only managing to win one game out of four. Their defence has been mediocre with respect to the rest of the division, but their offence has been the spot of concern for the Marlies.

Coming into the season, with some seasoned vets and strong young players to offer, the Marlies, a club that has always struggled to score, were expected to lift that distinction from their repertoire.

However, this season has started out much the same as in years past. The goaltending and defence has been mediocre, and when they do seem to get the goaltending, the offence falls apart.

They has so far played the Rochester Americans, Abbotsford Heat, Hamilton Bulldogs and their last game was against the Binghamton Senators. All of these teams this season are not really doing all that well. Abbotsford is on top of their division, however, they have lost three games total—two in regulation and one in a shootout.

The Marlies lone win came last Saturday against the Hamillton Bulldogs of all teams, where the offence kicked it up a notch and scored five times to win the game 5-3. The worst thought about that game was they scored half their goals on the season in that one game.

Things right now are looking a bit grim for the Baby Leafs, but with a very young team right now, things should get better with more adjustments made by both players and coaching staff.

The Good

C Brayden Irwin: four GP, two goals, one assist.

Irwin's play so far this season has probably been the lone bright spot for the Marlies right now. A developing game and developing hands, Irwin is looking more adjusted to the pro-style game, and if he keeps this up, he may vault himself into consideration for a call-up later in the year. However, there are a handful of players right now above him on the depth chart.

D Jeff Finger: two GP, one assist, +3 rating

Yes, you read that correctly, Jeff Finger has accepted his demotion and is taking it in stride, trying to prove his doubters wrong. This is to be expected for an NHL calibre fifth or sixth defenceman playing in a league he quite honestly is better than. Finger has dazzled the Marlies coaching staff so far with his smart play and leadership out on the ice.

C/LW Nazem Kadri: four GP, one goal, two assists, -1 rating

Kadri struggled in his first game and eventually got sent to the wing, and since that move, he's been lighting the scoreboard up at a point per game pace. It's early yet, but Kadri appears to be putting it together quite well lately.

LW Luca Caputi: four GP, one goal, one assist, even rating, 17 shots on goal

Caputi has been a threat to score everytime he's been on the ice. Blessed with good size and good hands, Caputi has been putting them together to make quite combination of skills. Only two points in four games, however, his play lately looks more like a point per game player than a 40 point man. He's getting the puck to the net with 17 shots; he'll just need to finish better to get himself back up to the NHL.

The Bad

LW Marcel Mueller: four GP, zero points, 21 penalty minutes

After receiving a fighting major, along with an instigator penalty against the Binghamton Senators defender David Hale, Mueller went from the bottom and vaulted himself into The Bad level. I never really expected Mueller to be a fighter, but he did an admirable job. If Mueller can get his hands working on the offensive end, coupled with the ability to possibly put up 100 penalty minutes, the Leafs could have a Scott Hartnell clone on their hands. Wishful thinking, I know.

C Christian Hanson: four GP, two assists, -3 rating

Hanson really hasn't shown that level of play that garnered him consideration for a roster spot. His play has been sort of methodical and robotic, and really hasn't shown glimpses of his preseason play yet this season for the Marlies.

LW Jerry D'Amigo: four GP, one assist, even rating, five shots on goal

D'Amigo has always been a good skater and has a penchant for putting the puck in the net. In his first handful of pro games, D'Amigo has struggled to adjust to the pro game. The numbers are fine to deal with, but the one stat that jumps out at me is only five shots on goal in four games. If he had about double that, I would be happy with his performance. Right now, he's got to get to the net and fire some shots on the goalie.

The Ugly

D Keith Aulie: four GP, one assist, -3 rating

Aulie has really had difficulties lately with the defensive side of the puck. Not a skilled passer of the puck, Aulie needs to rely upon positioning and his hockey IQ to get him out of trouble. His play this season could be a result of a season-ending shoulder injury last season and still trying to get adjusted to being back, but right now, his game has been ugly so far.

D Korbinian Holzer: four GP, zero points, -3 rating

Holzer, Aulie's partner, hasn't adjusted well at all to the pro game thus far. He's shown glimpses of coming out of it, but right now that defensive pairing is essentially feeling out the pro game right now and the statistics are showing the struggles. Once they get adjusted, I fully expect better numbers to be put up by both Keith Aulie and the aforementioned Holzer.

LW Jay Rosehill: two GP, zero points, zero shots on goal, zero PIM's, -3 rating.

Lastly, we make our way to the bottom of the barrel, the very flat, warm bottom of the beer bottle, Jay Rosehill. He has literally done nothing so far with the Marlies except for cause goals. Without a shot on goal or a single penalty minute in two games, Rosehill looks like a statue out there. His line is reminscent of the line Kris Newbury had in one leaf game, where he was on the ice for a total of 20 seconds and was a -2. 

Rosehill's days as an NHL-level enforcer appear to be dwindling if his play like this continues. Do I expect him to improve his numbers, yes, but offensively, he offers nothing to the table that would be worthwhile for an NHL team to accept.

The Marlies open up a two-game homestand against the Oklahoma City Barons and the Grand Rapids Griffins this weekend. Hopefully at the end of the homestand, I will have so better news to put forth.

Thanks for reading.