NHL teams in the salary cap era have recognized that their rosters must be supplemented with cost-effective players from solid drafting and player development. An added emphasis on making the Toronto Marlies competitive in recent years has been instrumental to making that vision a reality for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Toronto Marlies have become a pipeline for quality prospects to become NHL-caliber players. Last season, the Marlies won their first Calder Cup and the team has paced the AHL in points in two of the past three seasons.
Because of this revamped approach to their AHL team, the Leafs are now regularly supplemented with assets.