Toronto Maple Leafs: Tyler Biggs Reassigned to ECHL
It appears the Tyler Biggs era in Toronto maybe over before it ever really began.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Biggs has been reassigned to the Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL) by the Toronto Marlies (AHL). The move represents another downward trend in the young Loveland, Ohio native’s career.
Biggs was drafted 22nd overall during the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs. There were high hopes for the big right winger at first, but his failure to show notable improvement over the last three years has generally killed those hopes.
A suspect campaign for the Marlies last season – Biggs recorded nine points (seven goals, two assists) in 57 games – was the first big warning sign. This was followed in late September by Biggs’ second failure to crack the Leafs’ Opening Day roster.
At 6-3 and 224 pounds, Biggs has all the makings of your classic Brian Burke solider, which might actually explain why he’s suddenly out of a job in Toronto. The Leafs organization is focused on skill and speed these days, not size, rendering Biggs expendable. A Stuart Percy or Brandon Kozun has better odds of finding himself in the lineup right now.
Some fans will surely be upset over the continued demotion of Biggs, but it’s not all bad news for him. A certain goaltender who’s piloted the Leafs to two straight wins – James Reimer – spent a little time in the ECHL, too, before landing a regular spot in the Leafs’ lineup.
This is one possibility open to Biggs – he can fight his way back to the AHL and eventually to the NHL – or he can come to the realization that Matt Frattin is likely to fill the first available right-wing spot on the Leafs and just enjoy the sunny weather in Orlando instead.
It’s a demotion I’d gladly accept.
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