Leafs claim Tim Erixon off waivers

[Kin]

That last part especially is what has me worried. The media right now is waxing lyrical about how good it is that they are finally rebuilding.

I get the impression that when they are thoroughly embarrassed regularly over the next 18 months the tide will turn and they will start to beat them up about it and second guess every prospect that isn't in the NHL already.

I think the issue is probably going to be what sort of team we see over those next 18 months. We'll almost definitely see a bad one, sure, but is it going to be a bad one with players like McKegg and Connor Brown and Stuart Percy looking feisty? Or is it going to be one where jobs are given to uninspiring veterans because there's not much in the way of NHL prospects within the system?

I think fans will be alright with a young, hardworking team that occasionally has their lunch handed to them. If, however, we get more evidence that absolutely everything has been bungled the last few years it'll probably sour some people.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

That last part especially is what has me worried. The media right now is waxing lyrical about how good it is that they are finally rebuilding.

I get the impression that when they are thoroughly embarrassed regularly over the next 18 months the tide will turn and they will start to beat them up about it and second guess every prospect that isn't in the NHL already.

I think the issue is probably going to be what sort of team we see over those next 18 months. We'll almost definitely see a bad one, sure, but is it going to be a bad one with players like McKegg and Connor Brown and Stuart Percy looking feisty? Or is it going to be one where jobs are given to uninspiring veterans because there's not much in the way of NHL prospects within the system?

I think fans will be alright with a young, hardworking team that occasionally has their lunch handed to them. If, however, we get more evidence that absolutely everything has been bungled the last few years it'll probably sour some people.

I think the media might actually spin this as the Leafs doing the right thing for once, and cut them some slack.  That's not a certainty, but it wouldn't surprise me.  Of course, if the Leafs make poor draft selections that could change quickly.

 

[Highlander]

I agree with Nik, I would rather see the Marlies +  than some retreads.  As long as they lose while fighting to win, then we can wait and see the rebuild progress and be part of the process.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

That last part especially is what has me worried. The media right now is waxing lyrical about how good it is that they are finally rebuilding.

I get the impression that when they are thoroughly embarrassed regularly over the next 18 months the tide will turn and they will start to beat them up about it and second guess every prospect that isn't in the NHL already.

I think the issue is probably going to be what sort of team we see over those next 18 months. We'll almost definitely see a bad one, sure, but is it going to be a bad one with players like McKegg and Connor Brown and Stuart Percy looking feisty? Or is it going to be one where jobs are given to uninspiring veterans because there's not much in the way of NHL prospects within the system?

I think fans will be alright with a young, hardworking team that occasionally has their lunch handed to them. If, however, we get more evidence that absolutely everything has been bungled the last few years it'll probably sour some people.

Couldn't it be argued that they'd be better off leaving those kids with the Marlies to insulate them, let them develop fully and that running a bunch of retreads for the next 30 months or so with the Leafs will be the means to an end?

 

[Kin]

Couldn't it be argued that they'd be better off leaving those kids with the Marlies to insulate them, let them develop fully and that running a bunch of retreads for the next 30 months or so with the Leafs will be the means to an end?

Well, McKegg is 22. He'll be 23 when camp opens. At some point I genuinely think it's better for a player's development to be in the NHL and 23 is about the age where either a guy is a NHL player or he's not. Brown's younger, sure, but even still he'll be 22 next year.  I really don't think it's in anyone's interest to keep these guys in the AHL until they're 25.

I don't personally think being on a bad team hurts a promising young player and like I said I think the market/media will actually be pretty easy on a team full of young players trying their hardest so I don't know that there's a lot you need to protect them from.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I understand that, although Detroit might disagree.

Do you think there is any truth to a players development being stunted by being on a perennial loser ala Edmonton.

Personally I think there might be something to it, but not as much as the media claim.

 

[Kin]

I understand that, although Detroit might disagree.

Do you think there is any truth to a players development being stunted by being on a perennial loser ala Edmonton.

Personally I think there might be something to it, but not as much as the media claim.

I know it's a joke but, seriously, Detroit is pretty consistent on that too. 22 or 23(occasionally 24) seems to be, in just about all cases, when they make their decision on whether or not to give a guy a full time NHL job.

I couldn't say about the other thing. It's probably possible, sure, but my guess is that it's a much bigger concern on a team like the Leafs right now than it would be on a team that was building for the future and competing hard every night.

 

[KadriFan]

So how has Erixon been playing?  I haven't seen them play for awhile.  Hoping he he and Sill are keepers

 

[CarltonTheBear]

So how has Erixon been playing?  I haven't seen them play for awhile.  Hoping he he and Sill are keepers

He's only played 4 games so far, sat a bunch of times. He's played limited minutes with a different defensive partner in each game and 3 of them haven't been NHL calibre (Brewer, Granberg, MacWilliam), the other was playing with a soon-to-be season ending injury (Robidas). So while his results haven't been great he hasn't exactly been put in a position to succeed. Given the options available one thing that should absolutely happen in the remaining games is him being put back in the line-up and played in a top-4 role alongside Rielly. May as well see what he's got.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

So how has Erixon been playing?  I haven't seen them play for awhile.  Hoping he he and Sill are keepers

He's only played 4 games so far, sat a bunch of times. He's played limited minutes with a different defensive partner in each game and 3 of them haven't been NHL calibre (Brewer, Granberg, MacWilliam), the other was playing with a soon-to-be season ending injury (Robidas). So while his results haven't been great he hasn't exactly been put in a position to succeed. Given the options available one thing that should absolutely happen in the remaining games is him being put back in the line-up and played in a top-4 role alongside Rielly. May as well see what he's got.

Are they just playing Brewer to get him to 1000 games?

 

[LuncheonMeat]

So how has Erixon been playing?  I haven't seen them play for awhile.  Hoping he he and Sill are keepers

He's only played 4 games so far, sat a bunch of times. He's played limited minutes with a different defensive partner in each game and 3 of them haven't been NHL calibre (Brewer, Granberg, MacWilliam), the other was playing with a soon-to-be season ending injury (Robidas). So while his results haven't been great he hasn't exactly been put in a position to succeed. Given the options available one thing that should absolutely happen in the remaining games is him being put back in the line-up and played in a top-4 role alongside Rielly. May as well see what he's got.

Are they just playing Brewer to get him to 1000 games?

That's my thought as he only needs 2 more, and who knows if he even plays after this season.  I think Erixon has more potential, and Brewer has been downright terrible, so I can't think of any other reason than that.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Are they just playing Brewer to get him to 1000 games?

That's what I had hoped, but since the deadline he's received the 2nd most even-strength minutes on the team, behind Gardiner. You'd think that they'd be sheltering him a bit if they were just doing this as a courtesy.

 

[Al14]

Are they just playing Brewer to get him to 1000 games?

That's what I had hoped, but since the deadline he's received the 2nd most even-strength minutes on the team, behind Gardiner. You'd think that they'd be sheltering him a bit if they were just doing this as a courtesy.

Why shelter him if you're in full tank mode?  :-\