Elusive dreams

The expectations for the Toledo Walleye remain as lofty as any organization in the ECHL, with nothing less than a championship considered a successful season.

This past season, the Walleye put together a historic 22-game winning streak, won division regular season and postseason titles, and were one of four teams left standing in the Kelly Cup playoffs.

But, the most fervent fan base in the ECHL was once again left shaking their heads in disappointment after the Walleye lost in the Western Conference finals.

The Walleye organization has had a consistent level of success most ECHL teams would take in a heartbeat. Toledo has reached the Western Conference finals four consecutive years, and has twice reached the Kelly Cup Finals in that span. Still, the team has fallen short of the ultimate goal of hoisting the Cup each time.

So, what can be done to get the franchise over the hump as it enters Year 15 next season to win the city’s first Cup since 1994?

In the simplest of terms, the Walleye need to get bigger and more experienced.

First-year coach Pat Mikesch did an admirable job with a roster full of rookies while following a trend of Toledo teams that rely on speed, skill, and finesse to play a wide-open, high-scoring style.

An exciting brand of hockey led to a successful regular season and a deep playoff run. But, it all came to a screeching halt against the bigger and more experienced Kansas City Mavericks, who won the first two games of the Western Conference finals and blindsided the young Walleye out of the postseason.

One aspect that could have been a difference maker? Three or four defensemen who have size and grit.

As always, the Walleye face an offseason where the roster will be in flux.

Mikesch needs his roster to get bigger — especially on the back end — and more experienced in the offseason, while filling the void of the loss of some key players.

The trouble is, finding those highly sought-after D-men who possess size and talent is a huge challenge at the ECHL level. Most defensemen with those coveted qualities are playing in the higher-level American Hockey League.

Still, if any ECHL organization has a leg up in recruiting it’s the Walleye.

In the two seasons that the Walleye reached the Kelly Cup finals (2019 and 2023), the team had experienced veterans on the back end. The 2018-19 team had talented defensemen Matt Register (6-2, 225) and Kevin Tansey (6-2, 205). The 2022-23 group had veteran leaders in forwards T.J. Hensick and John Albert.

Former Walleye coach Derek Lalonde’s first Toledo team that reached the conference finals had veteran defensemen Jared Nightingale (6-3, 205) and Cody Lampl (5-11, 200).

Those players are difference-makers in the locker room, with good character backed with leadership skills. When faced with a daunting 2-0 hole in a series, those are the guys who rally the troops.

It’s difficult to overlook the role the loss of forwards Trenton Bliss, Orrin Centazzo, and Mitchell Lewandowski played in the series loss to Kansas City. But playoff hockey is an absolute grind, with the deeper teams able to avoid or overcome significant losses.

The Walleye franchise also enjoys the most rabid fan support of any team in the ECHL, ranking among the top two in attendance every year. Sellouts are the norm at the Bank Tank, creating an atmosphere not found in the majority of Double-A hockey venues.

The consistency of success and support makes playing for Toledo an undeniable draw for young prospects and older players seeking a shot at a title.

Another key might very well be finding older players who have either already won a championship or are desperate to win one.

Of course, ECHL teams are limited to having just four veteran players (260 or more pro games) on their roster.

Finding the right combination of players with good character and skill set is the challenge. However, the reputation of the Walleye organization gives this coaching staff a significant advantage.

Goaltending, perhaps, is the biggest wild card. The Walleye have had some stellar netminders come through the organization, including Jeff Lerg, Pat Nagle, and John Lethemon.

The Detroit Red Wings, Toledo’s NHL parent club, has recently sent at least one and sometimes two goaltenders to the Walleye for development. That is expected to be the case again this upcoming season. Rookie prospects Sebastian Cossa and Jan Bednar have gotten their feet wet in Toledo.

It would be hugely beneficial for the Toledo coaching staff to be able to bring in a free-agent goaltender who is looking to prove himself. Jeff Lerg struggled to gain traction in his pro hockey career when current Red Wings coach Lalonde gave him a shot as a free agent in Toledo. Lerg left as the best goalie in team history and a member of the Toledo Hockey Hall of Fame.

The style of pro hockey has changed significantly at all levels with less emphasis on physicality and certainly much less fighting. It’s a good change, favoring skill over goonery. However, Toledo has traditionally been a blue-collar city with an avid fan base that still screams “Hit Somebody!” before games.

There is room in the sport today for players who play with an edge, creating protection and more open ice for the offensive stars. Finding the balance between high-scoring finesse that leads to success with a tight-checking, physical style is the ultimate road to clinching the coveted Cup.

More consistent help from Toledo’s AHL affiliate also would be beneficial. The Walleye had five players assigned from Grand Rapids for the playoffs, while Kansas City had 10.

Most ECHL teams surely envy the high-end offensive talent and skill this Walleye team had. Toledo averaged 4.07 goals per game, but the defense allowed 2.94 goals per contest.

Toledo should have the league’s best player back in the fold as ECHL MVP Brandon Hawkins expects to re-sign soon. Hawkins and defenseman Jacob Graves were the only veterans on the team. It would be wise to bring the 29-year-old Graves (6-2, 194) back, as well.

Other core players who are no-brainers to bring back include Bliss, Sam Craggs, Conlan Keenan, Brandon Kruse, Lewandowski, and Centazzo.

And how about a reunion with former Walleye forward Tyler Spezia?

One thing that is difficult to address is a regular season schedule filled with the same divisional opponents, which prevents the Walleye from preparing for the different styles and rosters they face in the postseason.

Fifty-three of the team’s 72 games — or 74 percent — will be played against Central Division opponents this upcoming season.

This past season, 62 of the team’s 72 games (86 percent) were against Central foes.

The Walleye rolled through the past two postseasons with sweeps, going 16-0 in the Central Division semifinals and finals. Toledo has then smacked into a wall in the Western Conference finals against Kansas City (4 games to 2 loss this season) and Idaho (4-1 in 2023). Those teams seemed to be more physical, had goalies that had been better tested, and possessed more experience.

The only solution is to compile a roster that can quickly adjust to differing styles.

And, of course, don’t forget puck luck. Bounces from the hockey gods is always an X-factor during long playoff runs. Witness all the things that went right during the Walleye’s lengthy winning streak, and then all that went wrong in the Kansas City series.

But, sometimes teams that are well-built and well-run can make their own luck.

Contact Mark Monroe at mmonroe@theblade.com or on Twitter @MonroeBlade.