Leafs' Stralman stars for Sweden - faceoff.com

QUEBEC CITY-Anton Stralman, brimming with confidence from his experience here, may go from skating for Team Sweden to playing for the Toronto Marlies in the AHL playoffs.

The slick skating defenceman intially declined the Maple Leafs wishes to join its farm team for the playoffs and asked, instead, to accept Sweden's invitation to play at the world championship. Toronto relented when it was assured that Stralman would play a significant role here with the Swedes.

He certainly has.

Stralman was named player of the game for Sweden yesterday. Though he struggled with some of Canada's big forwards at times - who hasn't in this tournament? - he played a strong 22 minutes and scored two goals on excellent shots.

Stralman has averaged more about 17 minutes a game, seen action on the power play and been a contributor offensively with four goals and three assists in seven games in this tournament. He's also a plus 7 and even got in a fight with Russia's Ilya Kovalchuk in an earlier game. Stralman is convinced he made the right choice to come here.

"This is a better way to develop as a player," he said. "Every game is against the best in the world, Canada is probably the best team I've ever played against and probably will play against for a while. They have so many stars, such good stars."

Stralman said his time here has been a huge "boost of confidence" after struggling at times during his rookie campaign with the Leafs.

"It was kind of tough in Toronto at first, when you don't play that much and you don't feel that confident about yourself. It's hard to play your game," he said.

"It's obviously a great experience to come here and get some more ice time and get the opportunity to play my game to gain some confidence for next year and try to have the guts to play my game when I get to training camp."

Stralman said he has been following the Marlies' playoff drive on the internet and on the radio. He said it would "be kind of fun" to join the team now. The Marlies opened their AHL semifinal against the Wolves at Chicago last night.

The 21-year-old is, however, also wary of parachuting in and bumping a player from the lineup who has already been part of the team's playoff success. After declining to join the team initially, he's unsure how that would be perceived.

Stralman said he will return to Toronto after today's bronze medal match, sit down with interim GM Cliff Fletcher and discuss what the team thinks would be best for him."