Mike Zigomanis Sent Down to AHL by Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke has announced that Mike Zigomanis has been sent down to the American Hockey League to play with the Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies.

Through eight games, Zigomanis has played a limited role on the Maple Leafs' fourth line, averaging 6:58 of ice time per game.

Zigomanis garnered one assist and owned a plus-one rating to go along with four penalty minutes. Clearly, while the Leafs will not miss him offensively, but his 52.5-percent success rate in the face off circle may be missed.

Which begs the question: Who will replace him on the fourth line?

While nothing is written in stone, it appears as if John Mitchell and Christian Hanson will compete for Zigomanis’ minutes.

Through two games, Mitchell has no points, is even in the plus/minus department and owns a 30-percent success rate in the faceoff circle.

Comparatively, Hanson has seen just one game of action this season, netting zero points and a 25-percent success rate in the faceoff circle.

Mitchell, originally thought to be an offensive prospect, was asked to change his game by head coach Ron Wilson during training camp with an eye on becoming a more defensive/two-way player.

Mitchell has received plenty of chances to play a bigger role on the Maple Leafs' second and third units, but failed to impress the powers that be.

For Hanson, this may be the last opportunity he gets from the Maple Leafs' organization to show what he can really do.

Mitchell, Zigomanis (who has a lot of NHL experience) and even winger Luca Caputi have looked more NHL-ready than Hanson on occasions. This means if Hanson wants to stick with the big club, he will have to outperform all three of the aforementioned players.

The time is now for one of Mitchell or Hanson to step up their game and seize the opportunity that is before them. Failure to do so will likely mean a full-time demotion to the AHL, where they will likely stay for the better part of their pro hockey careers.

In my mind, it’s now or never for Hanson and Mitchell. It’s gut-check time…which one will answer the bell is anyone’s guess…

Until next time,

Peace!