At the NHL level, the top 13 forwards are all but known before the puck has even dropped on the exhibition season, while the top four (arguably five) on the blue line is settled as well.
That accumulation of quality depth has filtered down to the AHL affiliate in the 2018 Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies. With the internal battle for roster berths and playing time at an all-time high, here are five Marlies players on entry-level contracts who are entering important years in their professional careers.
Andrew Nielsen
The left-handed defenseman turned heads in 2016-17 when he accumulated 39 points in 74 games as a rookie.