Toronto Maple Leafs Eastern Conference Preview: A Look at the Philadelphia Flyers

Toronto Maple Leafs Eastern Conference Preview: A Look at the Philadelphia Flyers by Jon Empringham

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According to Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun, the Toronto Maple Leafs are considering a tryout for Brendan Mikkelson.

Leafs haven’t set camp roster, but are considering a tryout by former Duck-Flame-Lightning D Brendan Mikkelson, 31st overall in ’05. — Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) September 5, 2014

Mikkelson is a 27 year-old defenceman who has spent time in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, and Tampa Bay Lightning. He’s also played in the AHL for the Toronto Marlies and finished last season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ farm club.

But is Brendan Mikkelson’s tryout of any interest? Is there any chance that Mikkelson could stick in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization?

Mikkelson’s Pros and Cons

Feb 7, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie(39) makes a save on New Jersey Devils center(14) while Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Brendan Mikkelson (29) and New Jersey Devils center(23) look on during the first period at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Pros

In his AHL career, Mikkelson has posted a respectable 104 points in 259 games played.

And, since leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs system (he was with the Toronto Marlies in 2010), Mikkelson has posted positive +/- figures for four straight AHL seasons.

At 6’3, 210 lbs, Mikkelson has the right size for the NHL. Blessed with quick feet and some offensive vision,

His cap hit would almost certainly be negligible.

With some offense, size, a small cap hit, and relative youth, Mikkelson could be a nice fit on the Toronto Maple Leafs blueline.

Cons

The entire story of Mikkelson’s journeyman career is in his advanced possession stats. Take a look:

Brendan Mikkelson has enjoyed a standard PDO rate throughout his NHL playing time.

The neutral luck hasn’t helped him.

Mikkelson’s career Corsi and Fenwick possession rates are approximately 45%. All the negative possession stat news is worsened by Mikkelson’s offensive zone start percentage – 52.6%. This means that Mikkelson has usually started the play in the opposition’s end and has still managed a poor Corsi/Fenwick rate.

That’s bad.

With Brendan Shanahan‘s new analytics department in full swing, don’t expect the Toronto Maple Leafs to ignore these poor possession metrics.

In conclusion…

Sep 16, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman TJ Brennan (25) and Philadelphia Flyers forward(21) battle for a puck at the Air Canada Centre. Philadelphia defeated Toronto 3-2 in an overtime shoot out. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, TJ Brennan surprised Leafs Nation by winning the Eddie Shore award for bes AHL defensemen. Could Mikkelson achieve similar success and eventaully crack the Leafs roster?

Poor possession rates and a Toronto Maple Leafs lineup that is chock-full of desirable NHL skaters likely leaves Brendan Mikkelson on the outside of the Leafs depth charts.

Sorry Brendan.

What do you think, Toronto Maple Leafs fans? Could Brendan Mikkelson steal an NHL roster spot from a current Maple Leaf?