The Toronto Marlies’ October has completed. They performed their final recreation towards the Belleville Senators on Oct. 26 and misplaced within the shootout, bringing their file to 6-0-0-1; their subsequent recreation can be on Nov. 1.
Their particular groups have been a important contributor to their success. They nonetheless haven’t allowed a aim on the penalty kill. Whereas their energy play hasn’t been on the similar elite degree as their penalty kill, it has nonetheless contributed to their offence, particularly with the latest additions to the staff serving to it out. Let’s take a look at our three stars for October for the Marlies and why they stood out of their season-opening month.
Third Star: Alexander Nylander
The most recent addition to the staff this previous offseason is the brother of Toronto Maple Leafs star William Nylander. Initially, the signing was considered as an amazing transfer, notably as a result of it allowed each brothers to play throughout the similar group. There was additionally the potential for him to obtain enjoying time if he was known as up. Moreover, he talked about that he turned down provides from different NHL groups to come back right here particularly, which speaks to his dedication. Nonetheless, his on-ice efficiency has been an essential issue as properly. In his first month with the staff, he scored 5 objectives and two assists for seven factors and was second with that quantity. He has elevated his position on the staff by way of his manufacturing on the facility play and his essential contributions. This season, he leads the staff with three power-play objectives.
Nylander, 26, recorded 11 objectives and 4 assists in 23 video games with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the course of the 2023-24 season after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Moreover, he performed 43 video games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins within the American Hockey League (AHL), the place he tallied 32 factors, together with 17 objectives and 15 assists. He has excelled skating on the highest line with Logan Shaw and Nick Abruzzese. His work is proven on the stat sheet. So long as that line stays collectively and continues what they’re doing, he might have a profession season, breaking the one he set with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2022-23, the place he scored 25 objectives and 25 assists for 50 factors.
Second Star: Artur Akhtyamov
I used to be skeptical about how the Marlies goalie state of affairs might look earlier than the season. Dennis Hildeby has proven he can carry out at this degree. Nonetheless, he was known as up when Joesph Woll was positioned on injured reserve to begin the season, so all of the Marlies had had been Matt Murray, who was coming off main surgical procedure, rookie Vyacheslav Peska, who came visiting from Russia, and rookie Artur Akhtyamov, and boy, have they proven as much as begin the season. He began the season with a 4-0-0-1 file, which is second finest in wins within the league, a .941 save share (SV%) and a goals-against common of 1.47.Â
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At 6-foot-2 and 170 kilos, the goaltender from Kazan, Russia has impressed many in his debut season in North America. Akhtyamov has demonstrated a exceptional capability to learn the play because it unfolds. He positions himself successfully in capturing lanes and is usually squared as much as shooters even earlier than the puck has left their stick. His actions are usually proactive; relatively than merely reacting to the puck’s place, he anticipates the place of the puck provider and the accessible passing choices. This enables him to position himself ready masking probably the most high-danger capturing lanes. With Hildeby now again with the Marlies, the online is perhaps shared extra, however there is no such thing as a doubt that Akhtyamov has confirmed that it’s his web to lose and can proceed to indicate out each probability he can.
First Star: Logan Shaw
Getting into his third season because the Marlies’ captain, Shaw has continued to indicate his essential significance to the staff in lots of essential methods. Offensively, he’s a big benefactor, main the staff in assists (seven) and factors (eight) whereas additionally including one aim. He leads the way in which on the highest line. As said earlier than, Abruzzese and Nylander appear to be they’ve been enjoying collectively for years with their chemistry on the ice when transferring the puck and organising performs. He is a superb energy playmaker, main the staff with 4 power-play assists this season. His contributions have been a big consider serving to gamers like Nylander and Nikita Grebenkin capitalize on scoring alternatives. Shaw’s sturdy consciousness and puck-moving abilities are essential in setting these objectives.
What he does finest is his defensive skills on the ice, both 5-on-5 or on the penalty kill. Shaw on that prime unit helps one of many finest penalty kills within the AHL that has but to concede a power-play aim. He has scored certainly one of solely two shorthanded objectives the staff has, alongside Joesph Blandisi. His defensive skills stand out extra than simply killing penalties; he is aware of tips on how to keep aggressive whereas not taking penalties, as he has but to commit a penalty whereas being a plus-3. He continues his streak of getting a minimum of a shorthanded aim every season he has been on the Marlies, and it has come early for him this time. It gained’t shock me to see him on this star listing each month for his fashion of play.
October has been good for the Marlies, however as they are saying, it’s not the way you begin; it’s the way you end, and the Marlies have to hold this momentum up. They’re getting nice performances from their forwards to their goaltending, and if they will hold these developments they’ve proven to begin the 2024-25 season, we could possibly be in for a hell of a displaying for the remainder of the season.
