The Toronto Marlies are set to battle the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the American Hockey League's Eastern Conference final, a series that carries extra intrigue given the connections to former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas and former Leafs forward Jason Spezza.
Dubas and Spezza Lead Penguins' Prospects
Dubas, now the Pittsburgh Penguins' general manager, and Spezza, who serves as general manager of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, could earn bragging rights if their team advances. Spezza will miss the start of the series as he is part of Team Canada's management at the world men's hockey championship in Switzerland.
This marks the closest the Marlies have been to the Calder Cup final since 2019, when they lost to Charlotte. In 2018, the Marlies won the championship under Dubas and coach Sheldon Keefe, defeating the Texas Stars in a seven-game series.
Marlies' Resilience and Key Players
Under coach John Gruden, the Marlies have shown resilience, coming from behind to win series on the road against Laval and Cleveland. Key players include goaltender Artur Akhtyamov, who has taken the No. 1 role ahead of Dennis Hildeby, and forward Vinni Lettieri, who leads all AHL playoff scorers with 13 points.
Other notable Marlies include Easton Cowan, a 2023 first-round pick, and veteran forwards like Logan Shaw and Cedric Pare. The team also features young free agents Jacob Quillan and Luke Haymes, who have seen NHL time with the Maple Leafs.
Penguins' Strengths and Series Outlook
The Penguins finished 19 points ahead of the Marlies in the regular season and boast a strong defense and goaltending. Tristan Broz leads the team in playoff scoring, while goaltender Sergei Murashov brings a .919 save percentage and five games of NHL experience.
The series begins Wednesday at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The winner advances to the Calder Cup final.
