As the longest-serving member of the Toronto Marlies, now one of the AHL’s top talent factories, Garret Sparks has developed an eye for spotting flashy players. Miro Aaltonen, he said, is not a flashy player.



He’s a cog, the goaltender said.



He doesn’t have the lure of a Kasperi Kapanen, a Travis Dermott, or even an Andreas Johnsson. Nor does he possess the physical tools of a Carl Grundstrom. Sparks said the 24-year-old forward has skill and speed — and playmaking ability that can make you wonder “how did this guy just do this?” — and he does not slow down.



“I’m not surprised a guy like that, who plays as hard as he does, and takes as much pride in his game as he does, and has as much fun as he does, is having success here,” said Sparks. “You’re never going to hear anyone on this team belittle the efforts of Miro Aaltonen.”



Those efforts have been especially...