NEW Maple Leafs Aucoin, Kostka, Ranger shine
Although nobody is really tearing up their league, most of the Leafs players and prospects are continuing to develop in 2012-2013, with Joe Colborne's slow start the notable exception. Aucoin, Kadri, Kulemin and Grabovski are all performing as management had hoped and expected, with Morgan Reilly, Josh Nicholls and Tyler Biggs all putting up big numbers in junior ranks. Reilly was recently invited to Team Canada junior camp.
The biggest outperformer has been Mike Kostka, and it would not be surprising to see he and Jake Gardiner remain a tandem with the Leafs. Komarov, Zigomanis and Hamilton have been consistent as usual, and Matt Frattin, whose season is just getting underway, has 7 goals in 8 games. One blessing of the NHL lockout is that there are no fans and pundits screaming for Paul Ranger's promotion to the Maple Leafs, as he leads the Toronto Marlies with a +9 even strength rating.
Between the pipes, Ben Scrivens (7-6) shook off a spotty start and is nearing peak form, while Rynnas has been sensational (3-0-1). Mark Owuya (2-2) is still looking to regain last season's form, however he is the youngest pro Leafs goalie and is still learning the AHL game, having played half of last season in the ECHL. In the OHL, Garret Sparks (15-7) of Guelph Storm has been solid to spectacular, stealing a few games for his teammates.
At yesterday's Marlies game, Nazem Kadri was about to get into a scrap with Lake Erie's Bill Thomas, but Brad Ross quickly stepped in to take the fight, and delivered a victory too. Brian Burke was sure to notice future Leafs power forward Ross protecting an explosive current asset that may center the Leafs top line sooner rather than later.
weighted points
Aucoin AHL 20 x 2 = 40
Kulemin KHL 18 x 2 = 36
Kadri AHL 18 x 2 = 36
Kostka AHL 18 x 2 = 36
Grabovski KHL 17 x 2 = 34
Biggs OHL 31 x 1 = 31
Komarov AHL/KHL 15 (9+6) x 2 = 30
Nicholls WHL 30 x 1 = 30
Gardiner AHL 14 x 2 = 28
Zigomanis AHL 11 x 2 = 22
weighted goals
Nicholls WHL 19 x 1 = 19
Kulemin KHL 9 x 2 = 18
Grabovski KHL 8 x 2 = 16
Biggs 15 x 1 = 15
Frattin AHL 7 x 2 = 14
Hamilton AHL 7 x 2 = 14
Komarov AHL/KHL 6/1 x 2 = 14
weighted defencemen
Kostka AHL 13 x 2 = 26
Reilly WHL 26
Gardiner AHL 11 x 2 = 22
Finn OHL18
Percy OHL 17
unweighted +/-
Kulemin KHL +11
Biggs OHL +11
Ranger AHL +9
Komarov AHL/KHL(7+2) = 8
unweighted save percentage
Rynnas .938
Sparks .916
Scrivens .910
Owuya .833
