They weren't quite maximizing their capabilities until last season. In 2014/15, Leafs assistant GM and Marlies GM Kyle Dubas took his chances with the upcoming team transition phase and left himself a team that was was raw, young, and the right mix of hungry to climb into the NHL, but not quite ready to get there. Be it a drafted prospect or signed tryout player, the team was willing to take on any youth that appeared to have some upside. Meanwhile, Brandon Pridham began to exploit the cap benefit of sending waiver-exempt players like Stuart Percy up and down (or, in Practice Facility terms, across the hall) on off days to save a few bucks. Suddenly, more teams than ever wanted what Toronto had, and in the past year you've seen relocations (the multi-team California relocation) and acquisitions (the Arizona Coyotes just bought the Springfield Falcons to relocate to Tuscon this afternoon) and hijinks happen en masse.
The new method didn't bode well for the Marlies to start. They began the season 5-12-2, and the year was quickly brushed off as a lost cause.
They're 89-31-13 since, despite being one of the youngest teams in the league in both seasons. But here was my question; was the youth movement in 2015/16 Toronto stronger than the other super teams? The answer - absolutely.
), it's an interesting analysis.
