The Toronto Marlies are back in action this afternoon at 3pm against the Belleville Senators three weeks after a quarantine caused by an outbreak within the team. They’re now set to play 13 games in the next 20 days to close out the schedule and be done with this season.

In the intervening time, there have been several changes to the roster and schedule. Some interesting prospects have made their way onto the team and have been acclimated to the system since the first team practice on Monday. Among them are defenders Filip Kral, Mikko Kokkonen, and free agent signing Brennan Kapcheck. The Toronto Maple Leafs also got two forwards from the San Jose Sharks, one of whom is on the roster.

With the last 2018 Calder Cup Championship team transitioning to the NHL* — namely Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren, and Adam Brooks — it’s time to focus on a new class of prospects, starting with the fresh faces now on the roster.

*I say this acknowledging Martin Marincin, Calle Rosen, Rich Clune, Scott Pooley, and Ian were all on that winning roster and are still with the team.

Latest Transactions

Added:

  • Filip Kral (LD)
  • Brennan Kapcheck (RD)
  • Antti Suomela (C)
  • Mikko Kokkonen (LD)/

Kral and Kokkonen come over from Europe after their seasons in the Czech and Swedish leagues ended. Kapcheck was signed by the Marlies after the NCAA finished their season. Antti Suomela came over from San Jose at the Trade Deadline.

Subtracted:

  • Stefan Noesen (RW, Taxi)
  • Martin Marincin (LD, Taxi)
  • Teemu Kivihalme (LD, Taxi)
  • Veini Vehviläinen (G, Taxi)
  • Ian Scott (G, ECHL)/

Noesen also came from San Jose at the Trade Deadline, he’s on the Taxi Squad after his quarantine. Marincin and Kivihalme replace Hollowell and Duszak on the Taxi Squad. Vehviläinen needed to come up after a brief scare during pre-game skate for David Rittich. I wonder if he gets sent back tomorrow to partner with Woll.

Ian Scott was loaned to the Wichita Thunder (ECHL) after VV was loaned to the Marlies, giving them five goalies at the time. The Marlies don’t seem confident to give Scott time in the Marlies net, so he’s going to the ECHL to play some lighter competition, and hopefully just play. Wichita is where a several Marlies played during Fall.

I think that’s everything since the shutdown. And in case anyone was confused by that tweet, no, Topi Niemela has not joined the team.

The Roster

Forwards (18)

LW: Nick Robertson, Nic Petan, Kenny Agostino, Rich Clune, Bobby McMann, Pavel Gogolev
C: Kalle Kossila, Tyler Gaudet, Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, Rourke Chartier, Colt Conrad, Hudson Elynuik, Antti Suomela
RW: Joey Anderson, Jeremy McKenna, Scott Pooley, Justin Brazeau, Gordie Green

Defense (10)

LD: Calle Rosen, Kristians Rubins, Riley McCourt, Noel Hoefenmayer, Filip Kral, Mikko Kokkonen
RD: Mac Hollowell, Joey Duszak, Sergei Sapego, Brennan Kapcheck

Goalies (3)

G: Joseph Woll, Angus Redmond, Andrew D’Agostini

The Schedule

BEL @ TOR: Sat, May 1, 3:00 pm EDT

BEL @ TOR: Sun, May 2, 3:00 pm EDT

TOR @ LAV: Tue, May 4, 7:00 pm EDT

MB @ TOR: Thu, May 6, 3:00 pm EDT

MB @ TOR: Sat, May 8, 3:00 pm EDT

MB @ TOR: Sun, May 9, 3:00 pm EDT

LAV @ TOR: Tue, May 11, 7:00 pm EDT

LAV @ TOR: Wed, May 12, 3:00 pm EDT

TOR @ LAV: Fri, May 14, 7:00 pm EDT

TOR @ LAV: Sat, May 15, 3:00 pm EDT

TOR @ LAV: Mon, May 17, 7:00 pm EDT

TOR @ BEL: Wed, May 19, 7:00 pm EDT

TOR @ BEL: Thu, May 20, 4:00 pm EDT

Breakdown:

  • 13 games in 20 days
  • Five back-to-backs
  • Two trips to Montreal
  • One trip to Ottawa
  • One five-game homestand. /

Luckily, the Marlies have a deep roster so they’ll be able to rotate players in and out of the lineup to stay fresh. 13 games in 20 days is also not unheard of in the AHL. Despite the five back-to-backs, the Marlies have five straight games (to be played within a week) at home.

Other Notes

After the regular season, that’ll be it for the Toronto Marlies. None the divisions except for the Pacific will be organizing a playoffs. Teams who finish first in their division will win a small trophy, but this season doesn’t matter.

It should be noted that the Professional Hockey Players Association, which represents AHL and ECHL players, is strongly against the Pacific Division playoffs, stating the unnecessary risk put on players following a terrible, difficult year.

Toronto Marlies