Rigamarole - A Foot In The Crease - Episode 3.22

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On last week’s show we indicated that repositioning the roster before the trade deadline would be a paramount task for interim GM Cliff Fletcher heading toward the NHL Entry Draft in June. Also of utmost importance for Fletcher over the next few months will be the assessment of the quality prospects, if any, the Maple Leafs currently have within their system to work with going forward. Recently, with the sudden rash of injuries to befall Maple Leaf regulars, Fletcher’s job of evaluating prospects has involved a lot less travel as several youngsters have been called on to dress for the big club at Air Canada Centre.

Kris Newbury and Ben Ondrus have been seen off and on now for the past two seasons in Leaf uniforms. While both are decent depth and energy players, neither could be considered cornerstone pieces. Anton Stralman seems to have overtaken Andy Wozniewski on the depth chart remaining in the lineup when Carlo Colaiacovo returned on Tuesday, due in large part to his steady progression at the NHL level. This kid is keeper. Saturday night gave Leaf fans their first look at the much talked about Robbie Earl. Playing over fifteen minutes, Earl was hardly eased into the lineup. He played well and showed some potential but then again, it’s easy to impress in your first NHL game. It’s far more difficult to keep impressing throughout a career.

Jeremy Williams was thought to be a blue chip goal scorer; however, he has regressed this season with the Toronto Marlies with only twenty two points in thirty nine games. Nikolai Kulemin looks to be tearing things up while playing in Russia but until he comes to North America, it will be difficult to get an accurate reading on him. All things considered, Kulemin seems to hold the most promise, although that could simply be a function of imaginations running wild on a player only heard about but rarely seen. The cupboard isn’t bare but it certainly isn’t far from it. But hey, all that was just rigamarole.