Potential New Marlies is a new feature that will run every few days until puck drop on October 10th, going through players within the Leafs organization, two at a time, that may be finding their way to Ricoh for the first time (well, on occasion, regular shifts for the first time, but mostly first at any point).
Danny Richmond
Age: 26 (August 1st, 1984)
Hometown: Buffalo Grove, Illinois, USA
Position: Defence
Handedness: Left
Height/Weight: 6’0, 194 lbs
How was he acquired?
Richmond was signed as an unrestricted free agent this season.
What kind of AHL experience does he have?
Richmond started his pro career playing for the Lowell Lock Monsters (then affiliated with the Carolina Hurricanes that drafted him 31st overall in the Legendary 2003 draft) in 2004-05, playing 63 games with the team. Midway through the next year, with two callups being involved as well too, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks, who sent him down to the Norfolk Admirals for the rest of that year, and 57 games of next. He would move with them to Rockford when the affiliation change came, playing 40 games in 07/08, until being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for, of all people, current Marlies forward Tim Brent. Of course, he wouldn’t get the opportunity to finish the full 08/09 season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, because he was traded for, wait for it, former Marlies defenceman Andy Wozniewski (its like he was destined to be part of this organization). He would sign an extension with the Blues, and be traded again, this time for infamous goaltending bust Hannu Toivonen, back to the Blackhawks he once played for. He would finish his year with the Rockford Icehogs.
What kind of other pro experience does he have?
In between that rather frequent-moving AHL career, Richmond had a few NHL call ups, playing 10 games for the Hurricanes, and 10 for the Blackhawks, in 05/06, 22 for the Hawks in 06/07, and 7 for the Hawks in 07/08. As a result, the Blackhawks made him an honorary guest for the 2010 Stanley Cup parade.
What are his chances of being on the Marlies next year?
With the Leafs defence as stacked as it is? Extremely likely. He’s definitely better than the ECHL, and he won’t crack the NHL roster, so him playing a near-full year with the Marlies wouldn’t be out of the question at all.
What is his play style?
Richmond is an offensive defenceman, known for solid awareness and passing ability. Smooth skater, knows his positions, but isn’t very strong. A very good anchor to a powerplay. Basically, he projects to be the Marlies equivalent of Tomas Kaberle (who may not even be part of the organization by the time you read this).
Joey Crabb
Age: 27 (April 3rd, 1983)
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska, USA
Position: Right Wing
Handedness: Right
Height/Weight: 6’1, 190 lbs
How was he acquired?
Crabb was signed on July 1st, 2010, as an unrestricted free agent. This would be his second organization change in the course of a week, previously being part of the Chicago/Atlanta trade centred around Dustin Byfuglien.
What kind of AHL experience does he have?
Unlike Richmond, Crabb’s experience in the world of hockey doesn’t involve as many moving vans. Getting his first sniff of professional experience with the Chicago Wolves in 2006-07 (4 years after being drafted 226th overall, as he played 4 seasons in the NCAA at Colorado College), he stayed with the team for his entire pro career after that, save for a call up in 08/09. His best season was his last, with 24 goals and 29 assists in 79 games, and an even better playoffs, with 6 goals and 5 assists in 14 games.
What kind of other pro experience does he have?
Crabb was called up for 29 games in the 2008/09 season for the Atlanta Thrashers, scoring 4 goals and 5 assists in that time. His first goal was scored against the New York Rangers, the team that drafted him in the 2002 entry draft.
What are his chances of being on the Marlies next year?
Very high. Barring a massive improvement and a bunch of injuries on the big club, there’s not much of a chance of him making it to the NHL in the foreseeable future.
What is his play style?
Crabb uses his size rather well, playing with a physical element to his game. He has good playmaking skills, and is very good around the net.
