AHL: Baby Marlies

Last season, the Toronto Marlies featured a veteran lineup. This season however, the Marlies have taken on a younger look thanks to the additions of players like Anton Stralman, Jiri Tlusty and returnees Robbie Earl and Jeremy Williams. McKeen's was on hand for two recent games and reviews several "baby-buds" looking to make an impact this season.

Anton Stralman (Tor), D, Marlies

The 'next Lidstrom' title has put immediate expectations on the 21-year-old, and although his skills speak volumes, it might be too early to associate him with the Red Wings captain .. his patience with the puck up-ice gives the Marlies a real puck-rushing presence from the blueline .. nice defensive play late in the second period against the Amerks on a giveaway just inside the blueline in the offensive zone .. with the Amerks going the other way, he didn't turn his back to skate forwards into position, instead with two or three quick and effortless backwards strides and with his eye on the puckcarrier, he played a breaking 2-on-1 perfectly, allowing the goalie to take the shot while he thwarted the pass across .. joins the rush constantly and is often pinching in from the point with pressure in the offensive zone .. often seen down low waiting for a quick pass or rebound .. plays a smart game in all three zones, and is always looking at starting, supporting and strengthening the offense .. has come a long way from the rookie tournament where he looked bored.

Jiri Tlusty (Tor), LW, Marlies

Dynamic presence on the ice at all times sucking up pucks from the boards by using his size and weight to control pressure along the wall .. first unit powerplay winger displays patience in the offensive zone considering he is only 19 years old .. speedy winger who likes to carry the puck and draw defenders in close, only to thread a pass through traffic and skate to open ice .. is not intimidated by the physical level in the AHL, carries himself well in rough situations along the boards, and scrums after the whistle .. tentative at times in defensive coverage but does a decent job in zone situations .. could be better in 1-on-1 defensive coverage .. slick playmaking abilities and quick feet - always moving to open ice looking for a pass or a quick shot-on-goal .. protects the puck well along the boards and in offensive forays .. getting a prime opportunity to impress Leafs brass with good offensive showing and developing defense .. a full season is likely unless injuries force Leafs brass for a call-up.

Robbie Earl (Tor), LW, Marlies

Played with Jeremy Williams as extra wingers in the Marlies home opener, while still attracting first unit penalty-killing duties .. has worked diligently on his first-step acceleration, as well as better balance on his feet at top speed .. uses his six-foot frame to guard the puck better and to take the body when finishing checks .. does not seem to wander much on the ice sheet like he last season and has taken steps to ensure his shifts are maximizing his effectiveness .. although his defensive acumen is good enough for the AHL, his pace in transition is still a little off in NHL terms .. could use a full season of increased duties and responsibilities to compliment his improved overall game so far this season.

John Mitchell (Tor), C, Marlies

Parlayed a great preseason in which he was given a long look in camp into prime icetime with the Marlies .. is crashing the net consistently, batting rebounds and causing havoc down low .. shows improved vigor and jump from last season where he was used in a third-line role .. better give-and-go with better skating and smarter positioning .. uses his body to shield the puck better and making better decisions on passing and shooting .. could still be a bit quicker in corralling loose pucks in corners but is not afraid to get dirty along the wall or behind the net .. skating is cumbersome although, he shows glimpses of good speed .. uses wingers efficiently and drives to the net giving them an outlet for rebounds .. has improved since last season and could be a bigger contributor to the AHL club this season.

Darryl Boyce (Tor), C, Marlies

A CIS alumnus (University of New Brunswick) Boyce, has shown some exceptional speed in the rookie tournament in Kitchener and for the Marlies thus far .. great wheels and really hustles to loose pucks in the offensive zone and applying pressure to opposition defense although, can overextend himself in the offensive zone .. good transition coming from balance on skates and offensive vision .. could tee it up a little better and take the shot instead of making an extra pass .. is not the greatest defensive player but turns well and should rectify himself once he adjusts to the professional level .. compliments the rush as the trailer in addition to leading it as a puckcarrier .. will take some time to get used to the AHL travel and speed of the professional game but if his quickness and agility can attest, he could be a good AHL player .. will need some work to expect an NHL promotion.

Brent Aubin (Tor), RW, Marlies

Quick hands and booming shot overshadowed by lackluster defensive work .. a distinct presence in the offensive zone, cycles well and heads for open ice to make use of a quick release and accurate passing for give-and-go plays .. average skater and speed, uses short, quick strides to get nowhere - looking like the Coyote chasing the roadrunner in old cartoons .. could be a useful utility forward once his skating reaches the same potential as his hands .. has to improve his defensive awareness to be considered a top-level prospect.

Jay Harrison (Tor), D, Marlies

Cleared waivers early in the season to resume patrolling the blueline at Ricoh Coliseum without so much as a nibble from another NHL club .. can be somewhat lax on the offensive side and misses assignments often .. could use his body better in defensive situations where he would use his stick to apply defensive zone pressure on opposition forwards .. must learn that he does not need to do it all and to use his teammates as outlets, especially in defensive zone clearing attempts .. has been prone to 'suicide' passes up-ice with forwards almost being crunched to recover a puck thrown up-ice .. must tighten up defensively to be a legitimate NHL blueliner .. patience could be running thin for the Oshawa native to crack the NHL lineup.

Staffan Kronwall (Tor), D, Marlies

Had a long look in preseason with the big club only to be returned to the Marlies .. still hampered from a slow stride, although last season that was attributed to a leg injury .. his cumbersome skating is a detriment to his size and development .. fallen off the depth chart in powerplay minutes with the arrival of Strahlman and Jaime Sifers controlling first-unit powerplay duty.

Jeremy Williams (Tor), RW, Marlies

Quick hands and better skating have clearly affected his upward potential but is still a lackluster defensive presence .. had good chemistry with free agent acquisition Tony Salmelainen and works well in a high-octane environment where he cleans up using a quick release .. has been overshadowed by the arrival of Simon Gamache to the Marlies and when he was recalled by the Leafs, Williams slid into the vacant spot .. a project for the Leafs, Williams looked like he earned a spot with the Leafs late last season but clearly needs a full injury-free season to work on his overall game.