A thread speculating about possible lines? Already?!

[Bender]

I agree, and D'Amigo doesn't look good either...and Kadri is still prone to those boneheaded plays.

D'Amigo's probably developing closer to what should have been expected from him when he was drafted rather than the hype he developed from a good WJHC. As for Kadri, his boneheaded plays will be mostly overlooked if he can produce at the rate he has for the Marlies.

I don't see him doing the same boneheaded moves like he did before though. I think he's cut down, but maybe I'm just being optimistic.

 

[ZBBM]

As louisstamos noted Phanoops played well with a defensive partner in Calgary.

I wish the Leafs had a solid defensive defenseman that played with an edge, had good size and cost between $3.5 and $4.5 MIL.  Unfortunately that could have been Komisarek or Beauchemin but neither had worked out.  Hopefully Carlyle can help Komisarek settle down as he would be an ideal player if he just played half decent as a tough stay at home defenseman.

That was to have been one "Lockdown" Luke Schenn.  :-\

 

[Bender]

As louisstamos noted Phanoops played well with a defensive partner in Calgary.

I wish the Leafs had a solid defensive defenseman that played with an edge, had good size and cost between $3.5 and $4.5 MIL.  Unfortunately that could have been Komisarek or Beauchemin but neither had worked out.  Hopefully Carlyle can help Komisarek settle down as he would be an ideal player if he just played half decent as a tough stay at home defenseman.

That was to have been one "Lockdown" Luke Schenn.  :-\

In his current form? Nope. I thought he was amongst our worse defensemen out there. A shutdown type shouldn't be all that hard to dig up in a trade.

 

[Justin]

As louisstamos noted Phanoops played well with a defensive partner in Calgary.

I wish the Leafs had a solid defensive defenseman that played with an edge, had good size and cost between $3.5 and $4.5 MIL.  Unfortunately that could have been Komisarek or Beauchemin but neither had worked out.  Hopefully Carlyle can help Komisarek settle down as he would be an ideal player if he just played half decent as a tough stay at home defenseman.

That was to have been one "Lockdown" Luke Schenn.  :-\

In his current form? Nope. I thought he was amongst our worse defensemen out there. A shutdown type shouldn't be all that hard to dig up in a trade.

Or free agency. Why didn't Burke go after a D-man like that in the summer? This team is severely lacking a shutdown guy that can be relied upon on the PK and in key game situations, and I'm sick and tired of saying "Why is [INSERT NAME HERE] on the ice in the last minute!?"

 

[Bonsixx]

Lombardi was invisible and useless last season and I don't see how we leave him in the lineup at Frattin and/or Kadri's expense.

I'm willing to be patient with Lombardi and see what he brings to the table this year. I think he gets a free pass on last season because it was his return from a devastating concussion. They weren't even sure he was ever going to play again at all.

In the past he's proven to be a lightning fast skater who can put up some decent point totals. He might still be useful.

 

[Bender]

Let's just hope Nik Kulemin can regain his scoring touch.

In homage to his difficulty in scoring I present to you: Nik Kulemin, The Eternal Struggle.

http://photogallery.thestar.com/1065219

 

[Justin]

Lombardi was invisible and useless last season and I don't see how we leave him in the lineup at Frattin and/or Kadri's expense.

I'm willing to be patient with Lombardi and see what he brings to the table this year. I think he gets a free pass on last season because it was his return from a devastating concussion. They weren't even sure he was ever going to play again at all.

In the past he's proven to be a lightning fast skater who can put up some decent point totals. He might still be useful.

He was fully healthy last year though, wasn't he? I just didn't like what I saw from him at all. Reminded me of Lee Stempniak but with less scoring. Frattin quite clearly deserves a spot on this team, as does Kadri. Someone's got to come out, and Lombardi makes the most sense right now. I'd be willing to wager Frattin would be a more valuable player to this team than Lombardi.

 

[Bender]

Lombardi was invisible and useless last season and I don't see how we leave him in the lineup at Frattin and/or Kadri's expense.

I'm willing to be patient with Lombardi and see what he brings to the table this year. I think he gets a free pass on last season because it was his return from a devastating concussion. They weren't even sure he was ever going to play again at all.

In the past he's proven to be a lightning fast skater who can put up some decent point totals. He might still be useful.

He was fully healthy last year though, wasn't he? I just didn't like what I saw from him at all. Reminded me of Lee Stempniak but with less scoring. Frattin quite clearly deserves a spot on this team, as does Kadri. Someone's got to come out, and Lombardi makes the most sense right now. I'd be willing to wager Frattin would be a more valuable player to this team than Lombardi.

I'm willing to at least give him a few games to get a look. It was his worst season statistically by far, but maybe he's damaged goods now. Frattin still fits within the roster even with Lombardi and Connolly though.

 

[ZBBM]

As louisstamos noted Phanoops played well with a defensive partner in Calgary.

I wish the Leafs had a solid defensive defenseman that played with an edge, had good size and cost between $3.5 and $4.5 MIL.  Unfortunately that could have been Komisarek or Beauchemin but neither had worked out.  Hopefully Carlyle can help Komisarek settle down as he would be an ideal player if he just played half decent as a tough stay at home defenseman.

That was to have been one "Lockdown" Luke Schenn.  :-\

In his current form? Nope. I thought he was amongst our worse defensemen out there. A shutdown type shouldn't be all that hard to dig up in a trade.

I think you missed my point -- I said he "was to have been," as in "should have been."  That is, IF he had developed the way he was projected to, he would have been just the kind of d-man in boldface.

 

[maplesyrup]

Just listing to David Alter on the Fan590 who cleared up the Ranger situation a bit. He says there were "personal" issues with him when he negotiated his AHL deal with the Leafs. He wanted to come back to hockey but at the time, didn't want to play in the NHL. Alter believes that this may still be the case. He feels that while the Leafs could sign him to a NHL deal, Ranger just may not want to return.

 

[Tigger]

Lombardi was invisible and useless last season and I don't see how we leave him in the lineup at Frattin and/or Kadri's expense.

I'm willing to be patient with Lombardi and see what he brings to the table this year. I think he gets a free pass on last season because it was his return from a devastating concussion. They weren't even sure he was ever going to play again at all.

In the past he's proven to be a lightning fast skater who can put up some decent point totals. He might still be useful.

He was fully healthy last year though, wasn't he? I just didn't like what I saw from him at all. Reminded me of Lee Stempniak but with less scoring. Frattin quite clearly deserves a spot on this team, as does Kadri. Someone's got to come out, and Lombardi makes the most sense right now. I'd be willing to wager Frattin would be a more valuable player to this team than Lombardi.

IIRC Lombardi had a dislocated shoulder early last season.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Lombardi was invisible and useless last season and I don't see how we leave him in the lineup at Frattin and/or Kadri's expense.

I'm willing to be patient with Lombardi and see what he brings to the table this year. I think he gets a free pass on last season because it was his return from a devastating concussion. They weren't even sure he was ever going to play again at all.

In the past he's proven to be a lightning fast skater who can put up some decent point totals. He might still be useful.

He was fully healthy last year though, wasn't he? I just didn't like what I saw from him at all. Reminded me of Lee Stempniak but with less scoring. Frattin quite clearly deserves a spot on this team, as does Kadri. Someone's got to come out, and Lombardi makes the most sense right now. I'd be willing to wager Frattin would be a more valuable player to this team than Lombardi.

IIRC Lombardi had a dislocated shoulder early last season.

Like Bonsixx stated, Lombardi had a devastating brain injury and was possibly finished with pro hockey.  He surprised everyone by playing last year after being out of the game completely for almost a full 12 months.

Like Justin stated, when he did come back we was quite invisible but....Lombardi did have flashes of brilliance too.

Like Bonsixx stated....Lombardi is one of the fastest skaters.  He also has a great shot and is usually known to be in phenominal physical condition...kind of the anti-Wellwood.  I am hoping that Lombardi becomes Lupul II.  The player who comes back from a devastating injury to play to his potential.

 

[Bullfrog]

I think you missed my point -- I said he "was to have been," as in "should have been."  That is, IF he had developed the way he was projected to, he would have been just the kind of d-man in boldface.

At only 23 years old, I suspect Schenn isn't done developing. I like he still can be that guy.

 

[Redleaf]

Just listing to David Alter on the Fan590 who cleared up the Ranger situation a bit. He says there were "personal" issues with him when he negotiated his AHL deal with the Leafs. He wanted to come back to hockey but at the time, didn't want to play in the NHL. Alter believes that this may still be the case. He feels that while the Leafs could sign him to a NHL deal, Ranger just may not want to return.

Strange situation. What personal reasons could he have for wanting to play in the AHL, but not the NHL? Afraid to fly (as much)?

 

[maplesyrup]

Just listing to David Alter on the Fan590 who cleared up the Ranger situation a bit. He says there were "personal" issues with him when he negotiated his AHL deal with the Leafs. He wanted to come back to hockey but at the time, didn't want to play in the NHL. Alter believes that this may still be the case. He feels that while the Leafs could sign him to a NHL deal, Ranger just may not want to return.

Strange situation. What personal reasons could he have for wanting to play in the AHL, but not the NHL? Afraid to fly (as much)?

I don't know but Alter made it clear that he (Ranger) wanted no part of the NHL. Now, things may have changed but who knows? As far as why? Who knows?

Edit: Either way, it sounds as if the Leafs were/are understanding and thus gave him the AHL only deal as opposed to a two-way which he probably could have got from someone. 

 

[Tigger]

I am hoping that Lombardi becomes Lupul II.  The player who comes back from a devastating injury to play to his potential.

I just did a little checking and he was out November 19, 2011 with a dislocated shoulder to boot, missed 18 games. So along with a recovery that quite a few thought might prevent him from ever playing he had a terrible injury early in the campaign as well

I hope the best for him, if he can stay healthy his speed and skill could be quite useful.

 

[Corn Flake]

Like Bonsixx stated....Lombardi is one of the fastest skaters.  He also has a great shot and is usually known to be in phenominal physical condition...kind of the anti-Wellwood.  I am hoping that Lombardi becomes Lupul II.  The player who comes back from a devastating injury to play to his potential.

I still wonder if that player who was a big part of the Flames past success is still in there.  Hard to know if the physical toll has taken him down a few pegs but back then he was a big big part of what they were doing and was a big loss when Sutter foolishly dumped him for Jokinnen.

 

[Beowulf]

I never heard any rumors about this, but fwiw:

@TSNBobMcKenzie

There were also lots of Kulemin not coming back to TOR rumors but his agent told me last night rumors are false and Kulemin will be in TOR.

Gotta love some of the meathead responses to McKenzie's tweet.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Does anyone think Rynnas has a legit shot at beating Scrivens for backup?  I feel like his size gives him an advantage at the NHL level.

 

[bustaheims]

Does anyone think Rynnas has a legit shot at beating Scrivens for backup?  I feel like his size gives him an advantage at the NHL level.

Probably not. My guess is the team would rather see how he does handling the starting job with the Marlies.