Mitico12 Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 I know the Suggy talk was ressurrected last week, but this article goes a little more in-depth from what was reported in last week's post. Enjoy! *** http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/hockey...e3f&k=70199 *** TORONTO - Alexander Suglobov was not given many career options growing up. He could join his parents and friends at one of the many factories in his hometown of Elektrostal, Russia. Or he could try to earn a paycheque by playing hockey. The 25-year-old chose the latter. But it has taken the Maple Leafs prospect three seasons in the minors and 34 games up in the press box to learn that applying a blue-collar work ethic may be needed for acquiring his dream job. That means backchecking, taking the body and playing defence -- skills that once seemed foreign to Suglobov, who could shirk such responsibilities at the international level because of his Mogilny-like moves and Bure-like speed. But such one-sided play, Suglobov recently found out, simply does not cut it in the NHL. "Of course I?m not happy about where I'm at right no w," said Suglobov, who after dressing in just 14 games with the Leafs this season, was assigned to the minors on Saturday. Tonight he will play in his third game with the Marlies this season when Toronto hosts the San Antonio Rampage at Air Canada Centre. "Everybody wants to be in the NHL and play regularly, but it's not easy," said Suglobov. "There's a lot of guys there already, and I just have to work hard and wait for my chance." His wait could be a long one. Minor league call-up Boyd Devereaux recently beat out Suglobov for a roster spot and two other Marlies -- Kris Newbury and Ben Ondrus --are ahead of him on the Leafs depth chart. Perhaps that is why Leafs general manager John Ferguson filled out the required paperwork that could make Suglobov's two-week conditioning stint --he is coming off a minor back injury --a permanent demotion. "He hasn't been formally assigned, so he's still on our roster," said Ferguson. "But it gives us flexibility in the next 30 days to send him down without having to clear waivers." Staying in the minors may actually be the best thing for Suglobov, who has failed to develop into the player the Leafs had hoped for when they acquired him at the trade deadline last season. "Let's face it," said Ferguson. "He's not there yet. He's been in 14 games only and this is a good time for him to take advantage of an opportunity to play a little bit and see if we can't kick-start this a little bit." The offensively gifted winger was leading the Albany River Rats in scoring last season when he was dealt to Toronto for veteran defenceman Ken Klee. The trade was seen as a steal for the Leafs, who were unloading a soon-to-be free agent for a rising star. But Suglobov failed to hold up his end of the bargain. In 16 games with Toronto this season, he has failed to collect a point and is a minus-6, despite averaging just 7:25 of ice time. Suglobov's stats are made worse by the fact that Klee, who signed with the Avalanche in the off-season, has 11 points and is a team-high plus-15 in 46 games. "Our choices were a draft pick or a prospect," Leafs pro scout Craig Button said of the trade. "Draft picks take much longer to mature." Suglobov, who was drafted in the second round by New Jersey in 2000, is also taking his time to mature. "Everybody wants to play. I'm in a situation right now where I'm not playing, so I have to work hard and keep doing the things that I can do and hopefully get back." Mtraikos@nationalpost.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 The trade was seen as a steal for the Leafs That's why you don't doubt Lou! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 All those years in the Devils organization and he didn't learn you need to play defense in the NHL?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC Devs Fan Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 (edited) That's why you don't doubt Lou! Well we got Klee so lets call this one a draw Edited January 25, 2007 by SC Devs Fan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekes Head Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 Well we got Klee so lets call this one a draw Klee just didn't see the success in New Jersey that he had in other cities. In all fairness, he's having a pretty decent year...I don't think he really had enough time to adapt to the system. He really wasn't all that bad. Suglobov, on the other hand, is terrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 Well we got Klee so lets call this one a draw While Klee didn't learn how to play the system, we really started to put it together after we got him, Luko and Wiemer. His acquisition was ONE of the reasons why we eventually won the Division. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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