Leafs notebook: A shot at the Calder Cup

It was practice as usual Monday morning for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Even though their chances of making the playoffs are off-the-scale slim, coach Randy Carlyle put his players through their paces as if they were preparing to play Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final.

All the practice in the world won’t get this group into the playoffs this season, but for three members of the Maple Leafs, their season will not conclude April 7.

Forwards Matt Frattin and Carter Ashton along with defenceman Jake Gardiner will join the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League in their quest to win the Calder Cup. When you consider how well the Ottawa Senators have played this season one year after their top minor league affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, won the Calder Cup last season, it is definitely an investment in the future for the young Leafs.

Colin Greening, Zack Smith, Erik Condra, Jared Cowen, Bobby Butler, Kaspars Daugavins, Jim O’Brien and goalie Robin Lehner all played a significant role in helping the baby Senators win the AHL championship in 2010-11 and were a big reason why Ottawa has been a surprise team in the NHL this year.

“I think it’s important that the young player experiences the American League toughness of a playoff series,” said Carlyle. “The games are generally played on the weekend and then there is a long stretch of practices between games. They often play three games on back-to-back-to-back nights or four games in six nights. The American Hockey league is a higher level than what they have played previously. It’s the highest level of hockey they have experienced so in terms of the next transition to the NHL, it should be a half a step up; not a full step. When you have young players that can go down and have success in a more tense situation than they have participated in before, I think it is a positive for your organization and for them.”

Frattin, a right winger, has demonstrated beyond any doubt that he is an NHL player, but still did a little time in the AHL when the Leafs had to whittle down their roster. He was eligible to be sent down without passing through waivers so even though he was playing well, he was the odd man out. In 21 games with the Marlies he had 12 goals and 16 points.

Ashton, meanwhile, was acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning at the trade deadline for defenceman Keith Aulie. In 59 games with Norfolk, Tampa’s top affiliate, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound right winger had 20 goals and 37 points. In three games with the Marlies, before he was recalled by the Leafs, he had a goal and two points.

Gardiner played just one game with the Marlies this season drawing an assist. An offensive force like Gardiner could expect to be utilized even more than he has been with the Leafs where he has averaged 21:27 ice time per game.

“We’re still trying to make the playoffs here, but if I go down after the (NHL) season is over I think it is a good thing,” said Gardiner, who leads all NHL rookie defencemen in scoring with five goals and 26 points in 69 games. “To experience the playoffs in pro hockey is fun. It gives you more experience for when you make it to the NHL playoffs.”

Added Ashton: “It’s a chance to get better and an opportunity to get valuable playoff experience. To get a chance to be part of a winning team is exciting.”

Frattin, 24, has been out with a sore ankle, but nevertheless is looking forward to eventually trying to help the Marlies in the playoffs.

“It is definitely going to be fun,” Frattin said. “I spent a couple of months with the Marlies and they have a great team. They have guys that work really hard and I see us having a long playoff run. I’m here to put offensive numbers. The stats sheet doesn’t really show that, but now I’m getting the minutes and the power-play time to put up better numbers.”

JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE RINK: The Carolina Hurricanes took to the ice at MasterCard Centre a half hour after the Leafs Monday morning and were done with their practice about 15 minutes before Toronto finished. When asked about the length of his team’s practice, coach Carlyle smiled and said, “I don’t know why you guys think that was so hard. To me it was just another regular day of practice. There was more dead time put in because we were at the board more. There was more teaching taking place and that is what chews up the clock on you. We were on the ice for an hour and 10 minutes and probably 15 of that was instruction and board work. Take that away from it and it was a 55-minute practice. I don’t think that is that strenuous or taxing on a hockey club.”

STICKING WITH STECKEL: Checking line centre David Steckel has seen his ice time skyrocket since Carlyle took over as coach. Carlyle said it simply made sense that Steckel would be his checking centre. “The first thing you look at when you don’t know a player particularly well is his size — which you can’t teach — and his faceoff ability. You want to start with the puck. Also there’s the fact that he would not be considered a pure offensive player. All those three things made it easy for me and the coaching staff when we decided to formulate some kind of a checking line. He was first on the list. When you have a 6-foot-5 centre who controls the faceoff circle, kills all your penalties and is good on the defensive side of things; he’s going to get more opportunity.”