Pontus Holmberg’s “world class” play, Max Ellis’ climb up the lineup, and more: Marlies Weekly

Pontus Holmberg’s “world class” play, Max Ellis’ climb up the lineup, and more: Marlies Weekly

Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing at the moment for the Toronto Marlies.
The team played two games this week — both in Toronto on Monday and Saturday — winning them both. Each game, whether it was against the Utica Comets or Laval Rocket, were very close.
Their first game of the week, against Utica, was a hard-fought 3-1 win at Scotiabank Arena. Defenceman Matt Hellickson scored his first of the season, while both Max Ellis and Bobby McMann continued to ride their hot hand, also scoring.
Keith Petruzzelli, who’s only played three full games since their last Scotiabank Arena matinee (on Boxing Day), stopped 33 of 34 shots, improving to 12-5-0 on the season with a .904 save percentage.
After Monday’s matchup, Toronto had a couple of days off before gearing up for another big game later in the week. That game — against Laval — was just as tough, or maybe even tougher than the one against Utica.
Graham Slaggert was the first player to get the Marlies on the board, courtesy of some nice work from himself and the rest of the fourth line (Marc Johnstone and Zach Solow). It seems as though whoever plays alongside Slaggert and Johnstone fits immediately.
Laval would get on the board eight minutes into the seco …

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Author: Nick Barden / The Leafs Nation

The AHL playoff format and why NHL fans should get ready to see something like it

The NHL’s current playoff format isn’t the greatest, but what if I told you there might be some change in the future?
As it stands right now, the top three teams from each of the four divisions — plus two wild card teams from each conference — make the playoffs. It’s not the most popular format out there.
It’s in fact flawed.
Having two teams such as the Maple Leafs and Lightning facing off in the first round, as exciting of a series it is, just shouldn’t happen.
Who enjoys seeing two of the NHL’s top “Stanley Cup contenders” as some might say, battle it out in the first round? You’re cutting the excitement in half after the opening series.
A lot of fans reminisce on the days when the NHL’s playoff format took the top-eight teams from each conference, having the number one team face the eighth seed and so on.
It was more fun. It made sense. It allowed for more cinderella stories that the current playoff format doesn’t.
As good as it was, I highly doubt we see it for a long time. Partly due to the NHL saying they’re not going back to it, but also because of what the AHL is currently testing out.
If you don’t already know — with the AHL being the league right below the NHL — they’re usually the first to try something before it makes it to the league above.
They did it with the hybrid icings back in 2012 and they even test …

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Author: Nick Barden / The Leafs Nation

PK Subban might find his best price as an in season free agent option

Let me start by saying this isn’t making a case for Subban coming to the Leafs. In fact other than this initial preamble I’m not sure there will be a ton a Leafs content in this article, we’ll have to see where this journey takes us.
From a Leafs perspective, Toronto is already set with seven NHL defensemen once Rasmus Sandin is signed, and Jordie Benn and Victor Mete seem to be very capable depth options to put on the Marlies. Making room for Subban would likely mean not only moving Justin Holl, but one other defenseman to have a spot for PK in the lineup. I’m not sure the Leafs wanted to do that.
Throw in the fact that Mark Giordano a two year $800k AAV deal that seems to set a ballpark for what the Leafs are willing to spend on veteran defense wanting to come back to play in their hometown. While I’m sure most people would easily put 2021-22 Giordano over Subban, it’s still a very reasonable thing for Subban to not be ready to take a sub $1M deal. He still has talents that can be marketed well above that range and he is likely trying to get his price.
That’s …

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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

With the 128th overall pick, the Blue Jays could select…

While this isn’t a top 100 pick, there could be some interesting prospects available with this pick

Of course I had to feature a hard-throwing college player that everyone knows about, but there are some interesting starters available with this pick.
This will be the last article in the series, but there are still  plenty more players that will be picked in the 20-round draft. Let’s get into this group of prospects.
Ben Joyce: 
Joyce is a right-handed reliever that will likely be picked higher than 128th. You’ve probably heard the name for good reason. He’s only pitched one season for the University of Tennessee, but boy did he ever leave an impression.
The 6’5 righty had an ERA of 2.23 with a K/9 of 14.8 and a BB/9 of 3.9 in 32.1 innings pitched. While the righty is strictly a reliever, his stats aren’t the reason everyone and their mothers want him drafted for their bullpen.

Ben Joyce throws the fastest pitch in college baseball history at 105.5 MPH (via @PitchingNinja) pic.twitter.com/TPgsCwyNrb
— Baseball Bros (@BaseballBros) May 1, 2022

Yup, you read that right. According to the velocity reading at the arena, Ben Joyce threw 105.5 mph. While there are questions about whether or not this was the actual velocity, it’s definitely possible as he often hit 103 mph and hit 104 mph a few times.

Tennessee junior Ben Joyce is hitting 103.5 MPH pic.twitter.com/KXWQdlDWuv
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) February 24, 2022

There are causes for concern, however. The 21-year-old missed all of 2019, pitched at a community college in 2020, and missed all of 2021 due to Tommy John. While the Jays have shown they aren’t afraid of drafting pitchers with arm issues (Gunnar Hoglund, Nate Pearson), it’s to be seen if Joyce’s arm can hold up.
This leads into the second issue, which is the fact that he hasn’t ever worked in back to back days for his University. In fact, he works on 3+ days of work, according to MLB Pipeline.
Furthermore, some Jays fans believe he would immediately help this bullpen, which is just not true. While at this point, his floor is a major league reliever, Joyce needs to work on command, as his BB/9 of 3.9 is on the high side. His secondary pitches also need work.
…

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Author: Brennan Delaney / Blue Jays Nation