2017-18 Toronto Maple Leafs - General Discussion

[CarltonTheBear]

It's early, but looking forward into next season, seems they're likely to have some holes to fill, and I'm not sure the internal options are ready...

In terms of internal options I think that the only forward ready to make the jump next season is Johnsson, and he's a lock. Maybe Aaltonen but I'm iffy on him. It's clear Babs likes a better-than-average 4C and I'm not sure he's that.

On defence we'll still have Borgman and Rosen kicking around, plus maybe Holl finally.

At goalie Sparks is still under contract while Pickard is a RFA this summer.

So we'll definitely need to bring in some forwards. And considering after Marleau Kadri is the oldest guy in that group right there, I'd expect they'll go after some veterans.

 

[Frank E]

It's early, but looking forward into next season, seems they're likely to have some holes to fill, and I'm not sure the internal options are ready...

In terms of internal options I think that the only forward ready to make the jump next season is Johnsson, and he's a lock. Maybe Aaltonen but I'm iffy on him. It's clear Babs likes a better-than-average 4C and I'm not sure he's that.

On defence we'll still have Borgman and Rosen kicking around, plus maybe Holl finally.

At goalie Sparks is still under contract while Pickard is a RFA this summer.

So we'll definitely need to bring in some forwards. And considering after Marleau Kadri is the oldest guy in that group right there, I'd expect they'll go after some veterans.

Johnsson just won AHL player of the month, and I'd agree with him being more likely than not to make the team.  He's an RFA they're sure to sign.

I'm wondering if they trade Carrick this summer, as Babcock really doesn't seem to much care for him.  Maybe WIGWAL can enlighten us, but I'm wondering if Borgman and Rosen have made any meaningful improvements with the Marlies.

I can't imagine they don't re-sign Pickard.  Gauthier, Kaskisuo, Marincin, Holl, and Aaltonen need deals too, but I'm not sure which ones gets signed, if any of them...you mentioned Holl though.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Johnsson just won AHL player of the month, and I'd agree with him being more likely than not to make the team.  He's an RFA they're sure to sign.

Starting next season he'll also require waivers to get sent back down to the AHL, and that ain't happening.

 

[ZBBM]

It's early, but looking forward into next season, seems they're likely to have some holes to fill, and I'm not sure the internal options are ready...

In terms of internal options I think that the only forward ready to make the jump next season is Johnsson, and he's a lock. Maybe Aaltonen but I'm iffy on him. It's clear Babs likes a better-than-average 4C and I'm not sure he's that.

On defence we'll still have Borgman and Rosen kicking around, plus maybe Holl finally.

At goalie Sparks is still under contract while Pickard is a RFA this summer.

So we'll definitely need to bring in some forwards. And considering after Marleau Kadri is the oldest guy in that group right there, I'd expect they'll go after some veterans.

I don't think they can afford to re-sign JVR, but missing from this discussion is the possibility that they do re-sign Bozak.  At the right price I think that would be a smart move.

 

[ZBBM]

It's early, but looking forward into next season, seems they're likely to have some holes to fill, and I'm not sure the internal options are ready...

In terms of internal options I think that the only forward ready to make the jump next season is Johnsson, and he's a lock. Maybe Aaltonen but I'm iffy on him. It's clear Babs likes a better-than-average 4C and I'm not sure he's that.

On defence we'll still have Borgman and Rosen kicking around, plus maybe Holl finally.

At goalie Sparks is still under contract while Pickard is a RFA this summer.

So we'll definitely need to bring in some forwards. And considering after Marleau Kadri is the oldest guy in that group right there, I'd expect they'll go after some veterans.

Johnsson just won AHL player of the month, and I'd agree with him being more likely than not to make the team.  He's an RFA they're sure to sign.

I'm wondering if they trade Carrick this summer, as Babcock really doesn't seem to much care for him.  Maybe WIGWAL can enlighten us, but I'm wondering if Borgman and Rosen have made any meaningful improvements with the Marlies.

I can't imagine they don't re-sign Pickard.  Gauthier, Kaskisuo, Marincin, Holl, and Aaltonen need deals too, but I'm not sure which ones gets signed, if any of them...you mentioned Holl though.

Gauthier and Marincin are gone IMO, and probably Holl too.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I don't think can afford to re-sign JVR, but missing from this discussion is the possibility that they do re-sign Bozak.  At the right price I think that would be a smart move.

If they miss out on a big-fish (Tavares, or even Thornton) I'd be open to re-signing Bozak on a reasonable contract.

 

[Frank E]

It's early, but looking forward into next season, seems they're likely to have some holes to fill, and I'm not sure the internal options are ready...

In terms of internal options I think that the only forward ready to make the jump next season is Johnsson, and he's a lock. Maybe Aaltonen but I'm iffy on him. It's clear Babs likes a better-than-average 4C and I'm not sure he's that.

On defence we'll still have Borgman and Rosen kicking around, plus maybe Holl finally.

At goalie Sparks is still under contract while Pickard is a RFA this summer.

So we'll definitely need to bring in some forwards. And considering after Marleau Kadri is the oldest guy in that group right there, I'd expect they'll go after some veterans.

I don't think can afford to re-sign JVR, but missing from this discussion is the possibility that they do re-sign Bozak.  At the right price I think that would be a smart move.

I doubt it, just because if they keep Nylander in the middle, the only hole for him is 4C, and Babcock likes his 4C to be defense first PK guy...that's not a role well suited to Bozak.

 

[ZBBM]

It's early, but looking forward into next season, seems they're likely to have some holes to fill, and I'm not sure the internal options are ready...

In terms of internal options I think that the only forward ready to make the jump next season is Johnsson, and he's a lock. Maybe Aaltonen but I'm iffy on him. It's clear Babs likes a better-than-average 4C and I'm not sure he's that.

On defence we'll still have Borgman and Rosen kicking around, plus maybe Holl finally.

At goalie Sparks is still under contract while Pickard is a RFA this summer.

So we'll definitely need to bring in some forwards. And considering after Marleau Kadri is the oldest guy in that group right there, I'd expect they'll go after some veterans.

I don't think can afford to re-sign JVR, but missing from this discussion is the possibility that they do re-sign Bozak.  At the right price I think that would be a smart move.

I doubt it, just because if they keep Nylander in the middle, the only hole for him is 4C, and Babcock likes his 4C to be defense first PK guy...that's not a role well suited to Bozak.

That's all true, except I don't think Babcock trusts Nylander as center.  You saw that after one indifferent game from 29 this week.  Somewhere down the line I think Nylander should be a center but I can see Babcock keeping him on a line with Matthews for the foreseeable future.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

That's all true, except I don't think Babcock trusts Nylander as center.  You saw that after one indifferent game from 29 this week.  Somewhere down the line I think Nylander should be a center but I can see Babcock keeping him on a line with Matthews for the foreseeable future.

Yeah I think the only way Nylander is at centre next season is if they strike out on a bunch of guys and Babs is sorta forced to do it.

edit: Even then, it wouldn't shock me to see Brown get reps in the middle during the pre-season or something.

 

[Zee]

That's all true, except I don't think Babcock trusts Nylander as center.  You saw that after one indifferent game from 29 this week.  Somewhere down the line I think Nylander should be a center but I can see Babcock keeping him on a line with Matthews for the foreseeable future.

Yeah I think the only way Nylander is at centre next season is if they strike out on a bunch of guys and Babs is sorta forced to do it.

edit: Even then, it wouldn't shock me to see Brown get reps in the middle during the pre-season or something.

Hopefully Babs gets there.  Kadri is the ideal 3rd line center replacement for Bozak.  Having a down the middle lineup of Matthews, Nylander and Kadri as your top 3 centers would be very good, and very difficult for other teams to match.  If Kapanen can play higher up with Nylander in the 2nd line, and maybe Johnnson gets a shot with Kadri on the 3rd line....well....I am excited for next season lol

 

[Frank E]

That's all true, except I don't think Babcock trusts Nylander as center.  You saw that after one indifferent game from 29 this week.  Somewhere down the line I think Nylander should be a center but I can see Babcock keeping him on a line with Matthews for the foreseeable future.

Yeah I think the only way Nylander is at centre next season is if they strike out on a bunch of guys and Babs is sorta forced to do it.

edit: Even then, it wouldn't shock me to see Brown get reps in the middle during the pre-season or something.

Hopefully Babs gets there.  Kadri is the ideal 3rd line center replacement for Bozak.  Having a down the middle lineup of Matthews, Nylander and Kadri as your top 3 centers would be very good, and very difficult for other teams to match.  If Kapanen can play higher up with Nylander in the 2nd line, and maybe Johnnson gets a shot with Kadri on the 3rd line....well....I am excited for next season lol

And maybe Nylander can get a little more sheltered minutes, behind the Matthews and Kadri lines...today he's more exposed, and is likely feeling more responsibility with Matthews out.

He'll have a new deal at that point, so maybe be willing to take fewer minutes in top-9 role, as opposed to top-6, while they're acclimatizing him.

 

[Zee]

That's all true, except I don't think Babcock trusts Nylander as center.  You saw that after one indifferent game from 29 this week.  Somewhere down the line I think Nylander should be a center but I can see Babcock keeping him on a line with Matthews for the foreseeable future.

Yeah I think the only way Nylander is at centre next season is if they strike out on a bunch of guys and Babs is sorta forced to do it.

edit: Even then, it wouldn't shock me to see Brown get reps in the middle during the pre-season or something.

Hopefully Babs gets there.  Kadri is the ideal 3rd line center replacement for Bozak.  Having a down the middle lineup of Matthews, Nylander and Kadri as your top 3 centers would be very good, and very difficult for other teams to match.  If Kapanen can play higher up with Nylander in the 2nd line, and maybe Johnnson gets a shot with Kadri on the 3rd line....well....I am excited for next season lol

And maybe Nylander can get a little more sheltered minutes, behind the Matthews and Kadri lines...today he's more exposed, and is likely feeling more responsibility with Matthews out.

He'll have a new deal at that point, so maybe be willing to take fewer minutes in top-9 role, as opposed to top-6, while they're acclimatizing him.

I hear ya, and if all goes well you can slowly shift minutes so that Nylander's line becomes 2nd line eventually.  Promote Johnnson and Grundstrom, sign a new 4th line center:

Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Johnnson-Kadri-Brown
Marleau-Nylander-Kapanen
Grundstrom-new 4th -Leivo


Forgot about Altonen, maybe he's 4th line center?  But then you'd have nobody with experience down there...

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/kpapetti/status/969639896406208512

Shooter McGrundstrom. Looks like he might be a solid option opposite someone like Marner.

 

[Zee]

https://twitter.com/kpapetti/status/969639896406208512

Shooter McGrundstrom. Looks like he might be a solid option opposite someone like Marner.

We'll see, I always pictured Grundstrom as a Komarov replacement as they always talk about his gritty in your face play.  If he can actually score too, that would be great.

 

[Frank E]

https://twitter.com/kpapetti/status/969639896406208512

Shooter McGrundstrom. Looks like he might be a solid option opposite someone like Marner.

For those of you that are interested, because I was, he has 6 assists in 31 games, and 14 goals.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/kpapetti/status/969639896406208512

Shooter McGrundstrom. Looks like he might be a solid option opposite someone like Marner.

For those of you that are interested, because I was, he has 6 assists in 31 games, and 14 goals.

He?s a taller, thicker Soshnikov in that he?s a shoot first always player. He does it from closer to the net than Sosh and plays a more North American game than his SHL peers. I?m pretty sure only 1 of those assists is a pass and the rest were rebound assists. 4 of the goals were on the power play.

He has tied his previous season?s totals (exactly 14/6), in 14 fewer games. He?s got 74 shots on goal so he?s currently riding an19% sh% (he shot 14.74% last year).

 

[Frank E]

https://twitter.com/kpapetti/status/969639896406208512

Shooter McGrundstrom. Looks like he might be a solid option opposite someone like Marner.

For those of you that are interested, because I was, he has 6 assists in 31 games, and 14 goals.

He?s a taller, thicker Soshnikov in that he?s a shoot first always player. He does it from closer to the net than Sosh and plays a more North American game than his SHL peers. I?m pretty sure only 1 of those assists is a pass and the rest were rebound assists. 4 of the goals were on the power play.

He has tied his previous season?s totals (exactly 14/6), in 14 fewer games. He?s got 74 shots on goal so he?s currently riding an19% sh% (he shot 14.74% last year).

I liked him in the pre-season games, and I agree, north-south guy for sure.

Don't know anything about his defensive game, and if that needs work, he'd be a candidate for the Marlies next season I would think.

 

[Highlander]

Didn't he play for the Marlies late last season into the playoffs. If I recall he didnt look out of place at all, quite good actually, like a Komarov with hands. 

 

[herman]

I don?t know that any of our prospects are as good as Komarov defensively. Johnsson is probably closest in terms of right place, right time, hard effort, but he does it in both directions. Not as sturdy as Komarov, but just straight up better overall and has some bite to his game too.

Grundstrom probably gets another half season on the Marlies before hitting Leafs in the back half of next season.

I think 4C will be another UFA buy, with Gauthier getting a chance again but unlikely to seal the deal as more than a call up sub, unless Babcock suddenly changes his mind about what constitutes an effective 4th line. If we strike out on Tavares, I can see Aaltonen getting a whirl on a sheltered third line with Johnsson and Kapanen/Brown.

 

[caver]

I don?t know that any of our prospects are as good as Komarov defensively. Johnsson is probably closest in terms of right place, right time, hard effort, but he does it in both directions. Not as sturdy as Komarov, but just straight up better overall and has some bite to his game too.

Grundstrom probably gets another half season on the Marlies before hitting Leafs in the back half of next season.

I think 4C will be another UFA buy, with Gauthier getting a chance again but unlikely to seal the deal as more than a call up sub, unless Babcock suddenly changes his mind about what constitutes an effective 4th line. If we strike out on Tavares, I can see Aaltonen getting a whirl on a sheltered third line with Johnsson and Kapanen/Brown.

so...you think Bozak is gone this summer ?