A thread speculating about possible lines? Already?!

[Bullfrog]

Terry Koshan ‏@koshtorontosun

At #Leafs practice, van Riemsdyk and MacArthur have flipped spots. JVR with Grabo and Kulemin; MacA with Kadri and Komarov

That's what I was thinking about in the last two games. JVR with Grabovski and Kulemin could be a great line if the two wingers pick it up a bit.

 

[Redleaf]

Terry Koshan ‏@koshtorontosun

At #Leafs practice, van Riemsdyk and MacArthur have flipped spots. JVR with Grabo and Kulemin; MacA with Kadri and Komarov

That's what I was thinking about in the last two games. JVR with Grabovski and Kulemin could be a great line if the two wingers pick it up a bit.

It's funny. I really thought that Grabovski and Kulemin would come out of the gate flying due to the fact they've been playing, and playing well in the K this season.

 

[cw]

Terry Koshan ‏@koshtorontosun

At #Leafs practice, van Riemsdyk and MacArthur have flipped spots. JVR with Grabo and Kulemin; MacA with Kadri and Komarov

That's what I was thinking about in the last two games. JVR with Grabovski and Kulemin could be a great line if the two wingers pick it up a bit.

It's funny. I really thought that Grabovski and Kulemin would come out of the gate flying due to the fact they've been playing, and playing well in the K this season.

So did I. But I think they've been victims of the poor transition from the back end right now. Once the team cleans that up and they get spring and skating, I think they'll improve offensively - if this attempt with JVR doesn't work out before then. If you think about their goals in the past, they tend to score fairly often from cycling and flying around the ice. They don't muscle it to the net and jam as many of them in on the crease like Gary Roberts. So they've got to get them moving through the neutral zone.

... at least I hope that's the problem they're having

 

[Coderaspberry]

Further on Kuli and Grabo being out of sync, it looks to me like they're still adjusting to ice-size difference.  They seem to be playing as if they still expect a little more room to work - understandable given where they've been skating.

May take a few games for them to readjust timing and execution to the smaller rinks.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/ThePitBull123
Bob Mitchell ‏@ThePitBull123
New line at practice - Kadri is now with MacArthur and Komarov

Bob Mitchell ‏@ThePitBull123
Van Riemsdyk is now with Kulemin and Grabovski.

Carlyle reads my posts (sorta).

 

[louisstamos]

Any word on the D?  Komi or Franson back in?

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Any word on the D?  Komi or Franson back in?

Carlyle said he's going to be going with 8 D or something and sounds like it will be a game-by-game thing to decide who is in or out.

 

[Beowulf]

Further on Kuli and Grabo being out of sync, it looks to me like they're still adjusting to ice-size difference.  They seem to be playing as if they still expect a little more room to work - understandable given where they've been skating.

May take a few games for them to readjust timing and execution to the smaller rinks.

I thought this too but didn't want to use this as an excuse...but it may actually be the case. I've noticed their positioning has been off compared to the past few seasons in a few situations. We'll see I guess.

 

[bustaheims]

jonasTSN1050: As others have noted Matt Frattin has been recalled from the Marlies to replace the injured Joffrey Lupul.

 

[Fanatic]

I am curious where Frattin gets worked in. With Kadri?

 

[maplesyrup]

I'm actually somewhat surprised. While Frattin is the best fit, he only has 13 games left before he's subject to waivers. I thought we'd see Ashton or Hamilton. 

 

[riff raff]

I'm actually somewhat surprised. While Frattin is the best fit, he only has 13 games left before he's subject to waivers. I thought we'd see Ashton or Hamilton.

Or Connolly

 

[maplesyrup]

I'm actually somewhat surprised. While Frattin is the best fit, he only has 13 games left before he's subject to waivers. I thought we'd see Ashton or Hamilton.

Or Connolly

Yeah, him too. How soon I forgot.

 

[cw]

I'm actually somewhat surprised. While Frattin is the best fit, he only has 13 games left before he's subject to waivers. I thought we'd see Ashton or Hamilton.

I believe that exemption covers him for the balance of the year - even after 13 more NHL games (if he plays those this season). (edit - see note below)

Next season, he loses waiver exemption status whether he plays any more NHL games.

 

[maplesyrup]

I'm actually somewhat surprised. While Frattin is the best fit, he only has 13 games left before he's subject to waivers. I thought we'd see Ashton or Hamilton.

I believe that exemption covers him for the balance of the year - even after 13 more NHL games (if he plays those this season).

Really? Do you have the Coles notes version of the rule?

 

[bustaheims]

I believe that exemption covers him for the balance of the year - even after 13 more NHL games (if he plays those this season).

I think so as well, though, I'm not 100% clear on that part of the rule.

 

[bustaheims]

I'm actually somewhat surprised. While Frattin is the best fit, he only has 13 games left before he's subject to waivers. I thought we'd see Ashton or Hamilton.

Well, Hamilton has long since lost his waiver exemption status and Ashton definitely needs more time in the AHL. Frattin's probably the best possible replacement for someone like Lupul.

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

i don't like losing Lupul..but i'm glad it's frattin.  I still think this is one of those guys the leafs need, he seems to go to the "hard to play" areas on the ice...and do it regularly ...i hope he makes the most out of this stint.  He was amazing for the marlies in last years playoffs before he suffered that injury

 

[cw]

I believe that exemption covers him for the balance of the year - even after 13 more NHL games (if he plays those this season).

I think so as well, though, I'm not 100% clear on that part of the rule.

Looked it up in the 2005 CBA. Looks like I'm wrong. It looks like it ends immediately after games played. Don't know why I thought it was established and set at the start of the season - maybe that's from the prior CBA.

 

[caver]

I'm looking forward to seeing Frattin with the big club again. I think he fits with this team and the future plans. When Lupul gets healthy Nonis could package a forward and a defender for an upgraded forward.