According to the ECHL transactions page, the Toronto Marlies have recalled two AHL-contracted forwards from the Solar Bears.
One is a centre, Jean Dupuy, who has been doing very well in Orlando as the team has slowly found its form. He has seven goals and 12 assists in 24 games and is fourth on the team in total points.
Right behind him in points with 13 (six goals) but in only 15 games, is Maple Leafs draft pick Martins Dzierkals. He spent some time in Toronto, and then reported to Orlando and commenced setting the ECHL on fire, with a goal pace no one else has achieved on the Solar Bears this year.
With the injury to Mason Marchment — he’s out at least six weeks after hurting his knee — the winger call up makes sense, but I’m not sure why the team about to lose Timothy Liljegren to the WJC wants a centre. Perhaps we’re about to see a call up to the Leafs?
That would require someone on the Leafs to be on IR, however, as the Leafs are running at a full 23-man roster.
One other consideration is the date. After December 11, call-ups to the NHL can be sent back to the AHL at any time, even after the Holiday Roster Freeze on December 19. So if the Leafs need to grab a centre for a week or so, they don’t have to keep him beyond the 19th.
This manoeuvre is a bit odd since neither the Solar Bears nor the Marlies play again until Friday. The whole point might be merely practice time in the AHL. We’ll see what happens.
Dzierkals, who is only 20, was drafted 68th overall in 2015. He signed an AHL contract this summer. Dupuy, who is 23 and plays centre and wing, has two years of AHL experience with Rochester.
