Newfoundland Growlers Roster Suffers Multiple Blows

Key Players Departing

The last few weeks have seen the reigning Kelly Cup Champions lose multiple core players. Brady Ferguson is off to the SHL, Zach O’Brien and Marcus Power have signed in DEL2, Michael Kapla is off to Allsvenskan, and other players are rumoured to be looking elsewhere as well.

Brady Ferguson

Ferguson is the biggest blow to this Growlers team, but who could blame him for taking such a good opportunity. Brady Ferguson was given an AHL ATO after a stellar NCAA career with Robert Morris University. After succeeding with the Marlies, Ferguson got his shot to play full-time in Newfoundland. With the Growlers, Ferguson absolutely flourished. He’s been a star since entering the ECHL. Ferguson upped his point totals from 58 to 63 in his second professional season, tying 5th in the league. Ferguson was arguably an AHL-calibre player on an ECHL team, but couldn’t click in his short AHL appearances.

Ultimately, it became clear that he wouldn’t be able to progress into the AHL with the Leafs organization. Instead, he gets a wonderful opportunity with Rogle BK. Ferguson’s game is well-suited for a top role, and he’ll get to compete for a one on a team that has recently lost top players like Kodie Curran, Ted Brithen, Nils Hoglander, and Dominik Bokk.

Zach O’Brien

Zach O’Brien is another huge loss for the Growlers. He could also be considered the biggest blow to this team. He shone in the team’s Kelly Cup run, his 68 points put him 7th league-wide. His 29 points in the playoffs helped Newfoundland to the Kelly Cup, resulting in him being named MVP of the tournament. This season, O’Brien was on pace to get less than his spectacular first season, but the 27-year-old was on pace to get more goals and he spent more time with the Marlies.

O’Brien came into Newfoundland as a hometown player that had already proven he’s an effective AHL player, and I thought he’d move to an AHL team. The decision to go to DEL2 is a bit odd to me though. I definitely think he’s a player that could play at a high rate in somewhere like Switzerland. However, it isn’t his first time playing in the league, and I think he’ll light it up there.

Marcus Power

Marcus Power is another hometown star and Kelly Cup champion heading overseas. Power has been almost a silent star in Newfoundland, but he’s been a huge piece of their success. He finished 3rd on the team in points during his rookie season with 57 points and had 50 points in 51 games this season. Power is another Growler who could’ve definitely warranted a part-time AHL spot in another organization, but the road to the Marlies was too clogged for him to appear in a game.

Instead, he’s joining O’Brien to play with EV Landshut. I feel that Power is at a point where he too can play at a higher level, so we’ll see how he progresses throughout the season.

It’s clear that the team definitely made a push in St. John’s, as they’ve signed away two Growlers stars.

Michael Kapla

Michael Kapla is another blow to the Growlers’ core. The former Devils prospect signed with the Marlies with two full seasons of AHL play under his belt, as well as 5 NHL games with New Jersey. Kapla was brought in to have a real shot at playing full-time with the Marlies. Instead, the 25-year-old spent most of the season on Newfoundland’s second pairing, also playing 14 games with the Marlies.

Kapla played a key role in Newfoundland and Toronto, but with a deep organization showing minimal room to move up, he took the opportunity in Sweden. He’ll play for Västerviks IK of Allsvenskan. He’s definitely a capable AHLer, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him return to North America. However, I think he’s more likely to rise up the ranks in Europe.

Other Potential Departures

Along with these three losses, there are other players who are either rumoured to be looking elsewhere or are in a position where looking elsewhere is a tempting option.

Matt Bradley

Former Montreal Canadiens draftee Matt Bradley has been linked to HC Poruba, a team that plays in the 2nd tier Czech league. Bradley has been a key forward in Newfoundland in the last two seasons, but his lack of improvement and improvement of the players around him meant he took a lesser role. He was on pace to fall well short of his 45-point total last season.

Although this season saw him make his AHL debut in two scoreless games with Toronto, it’s become increasingly clear that Bradley has fallen behind a stacked Leafs organization in terms of forwards. Looking for an overseas gig isn’t surprising.

What is surprising is the team, as well as why he’s being linked. The club posted a Facebook post asking fans if they should sign Bradley, accompanied by a highlight reel of his. Also, you have to think Bradley is able to get a better gig than one playing 2nd tier Czech hockey. HC Poruba is a middling club in Chance Liga with a losing record last season. Bradley should be able to get a top role if he does go there, but how his game converts is yet to be seen.

Giorgio Estephan

There aren’t any rumours linking Giorgio Estephan anywhere, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him leave. However, it’d be a huge blow to not only the Growlers but the Leafs prospect system in general. Since being signed after a successful WHL career in 2018, Estephan has been exactly what you’d want from an ECHL prospect. Since making his professional debut, Estephan has starred for the Growlers, finishing 4th in points in his rookie season while becoming a core piece for their Kelly Cup run. This season, he took it up a notch, his 52 points good for 3rd on the team in only 44 games.

Estephan’s only issue is not being able to progress into the AHL. Whether it’s the different style of game up there or the role he’s playing, he hasn’t impressed enough for a full-time role in Toronto yet. He’ll turn 24 midway through next season, so wherever he plays this season, he needs a very big year. He wouldn’t be blamed for looking for a team that can provide him with a better crack at the AHL, but you’d have to think the Leafs organization does their best to keep him for at least one more year.

Other Possibilities

It’s likely the Growlers could see some losses to the Marlies. Justin Brazeau already looks like someone who can make an impact in the AHL, although he’ll likely spend a significant amount of the season in Newfoundland.

Alex Gudbranson remains a huge question mark for the team. He had been solid for the Growlers during their championship season and had been part of the organization for two years before that, one with the Orlando Solar Bears with a few games in Toronto, and the one before that on loan to the Marlies. This season, however, injury lingered throughout the season and Gudbranson was only able to play 3 games. He wasn’t expected to return this season. His future in the organization is largely unknown, but I wouldn’t rule out the 25-year-old looking elsewhere.

Robert Powers, a midseason depth pickup for the Growlers, will move into a coaching career with the Aurora Tigers, likely ending his professional hockey career.

Angus Redmond remains property of the Edmonton Oilers, his contract expires this season as an RFA. Even if he isn’t tendered a qualifying offer, the return of Ian Scott next season means the team will likely go separate ways with the 24-year-old goaltender.

The team has also traded Tommy Panico to the Orlando Solar Bears in exchange for future considerations. The deadline for future considerations returns has already passed for the 2019-20 season, so the teams have until June 2021 to complete this trade.

With ECHL rosters, there’s always uncertainty around everyone, but those are players who I think are more likely to head elsewhere.

What’s Next?

Well, the departure of so many top players means there’s room for other players to step up. Luckily, the Growlers have a number of players who can do just that.

Guys like Colt Conrad, Trey Bradley, and Riley Woods had big rookie seasons and they all look ready to take that next step. Jeremy McKenna, Gordie Green, and Bobby McMann (all of whom I wrote an article about here) are set to make a splash in their rookie year. The team also has the opportunity to take another look at the CHL/NCAA FA market. One idea I proposed not too long ago was the idea of bringing over Leafs draftee Semyon Kizimov to Newfoundland. They could even give Riley Stotts (someone who I thought they should’ve signed before the June 1st deadline) another look after the draft.

On defense, the team has insurance there too. If Trent Bourque and Miles Gendron, two midseason acquisitions from the Ottawa Senators organization, end up re-signing, the two youngsters are set to take another big step. Sergei Sapego is still only 20 and is in for a big sophomore season. The Marlies also inked CHL Defenseman of the Year Noel Hoefenmayer to a two-year deal and is also set to impress in his rookie season. Not to mention newly signed draftee Filip Kral.

The Growlers also put the following on their protected list:

Michael Garteig, Parker Gahagen, Garrett Johnston, Evan Neugold, James Melindy, Tommy Panico, Todd Skirving, Mark Tremaine, and Dylan Vander Esch.

The team now has the option to tender 8 of those players a qualifying offer. That would allow the team to retain the ECHL rights to the player for another season, or for veteran players (a player that has played 260+ professional games), they retain their rights for another two months.

It also means they no longer have the ECHL rights to Semyon Babintsev and Kyle Cumiskey.

The Newfoundland Growlers roster will go through a massive change this season but expect them not to skip a beat once they get back on the ice.

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