Training Camp Thread - Currently with Marner now

[Highlander]

Nic Petan.....why?  I just don't see any upside with him. What did Dubas see?  He better put on an amazing show next game.  It's time to step up, if there is something there.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Great news about Sandin.

Liljegren has fallen a bit into his shadow, it seems.  What do people here think about the way he's looked so far in camp?

You could tell how good Sandin was on the Marlies last year; he's just so poised with the puck which isn't very common for a guy who was 18 at the time.  He could turn out to be a steal where he was drafted.

Liljegren hasn't stood out to me either good or bad. I mean he doesn't look bad like Harpur but he also isn't distinguishing himself so far. He still has time and if he can become a reliable bottom pair guy that's better than nothing I guess.

Sandin should make the team, he's been that good. As for Liljegren. I think he's been steady. Not flashy, moves the puck well, defends and skates well. Just doing his job. Not noticing him is probably a good thing. Could very well be a good fit for an offensive partner, like Sandin.

 

[Guilt Trip]

So in a sportsnet article today they are saying that Moore, Goat, Spezza will be the 4th line. So my question is, who's the guy making the 3rd line with Kerfoot and Mikheyev?

 

[princedpw]

So in a sportsnet article today they are saying that Moore, Goat, Spezza will be the 4th line. So my question is, who's the guy making the 3rd line with Kerfoot and Mikheyev?

Seems like Petan or Agostino have the inside track.

 

[Highlander]

So in a sportsnet article today they are saying that Moore, Goat, Spezza will be the 4th line. So my question is, who's the guy making the 3rd line with Kerfoot and Mikheyev?

Agostino, still don't understand the Petan thing.

 

[Frank E]

I'm getting a little tired of the "new Gauthier" talk.  He's played a couple of OK pre-season games after a full summer's rest, and we're supposed to believe that he's all of a sudden going to be a contributor here?

If the Leafs can't find a better player than Gauthier at 4th line winger (or part-time centre or whatever Babcock is thinking here) then they really haven't done a good enough job of getting cheap depth here.  That he doesn't super-suck like he usually does, combined with the fact that there is nothing else interesting about the Leafs' camp, are the only reasons this is even a conversation.

Nice guy, I'm sure, but not a guy that should be playing on a team that has high hopes.

 

[GoatWhisperer]

I'm getting a little tired of the "new Gauthier" talk.  He's played a couple of OK pre-season games after a full summer's rest, and we're supposed to believe that he's all of a sudden going to be a contributor here?

If the Leafs can't find a better player than Gauthier at 4th line winger (or part-time centre or whatever Babcock is thinking here) then they really haven't done a good enough job of getting cheap depth here.  That he doesn't super-suck like he usually does, combined with the fact that there is nothing else interesting about the Leafs' camp, are the only reasons this is even a conversation.

Nice guy, I'm sure, but not a guy that should be playing on a team that has high hopes.

Problem is especially after Hyman and Dermott get back, we likely will need Goat for his salary since it's less than the current 19-20 minimum salary.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I'm getting a little tired of the "new Gauthier" talk.  He's played a couple of OK pre-season games after a full summer's rest, and we're supposed to believe that he's all of a sudden going to be a contributor here?

If the Leafs can't find a better player than Gauthier at 4th line winger (or part-time centre or whatever Babcock is thinking here) then they really haven't done a good enough job of getting cheap depth here.  That he doesn't super-suck like he usually does, combined with the fact that there is nothing else interesting about the Leafs' camp, are the only reasons this is even a conversation.

Nice guy, I'm sure, but not a guy that should be playing on a team that has high hopes.

I hate agreeing with you, but yeah you're dead on here. Likable guy and I get why some fans want to root for him, but he's just not a NHLer. I'm not sure what more Dubas could have done though this offseason to bump him lower in the line-up. He signed like half a dozen 4th liners that should be over him.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Problem is especially after Hyman and Dermott get back, we likely will need Goat for his salary since it's less than the current 19-20 minimum salary.

Hey, welcome aboard!

 

[herman]

Problem is especially after Hyman and Dermott get back, we likely will need Goat for his salary since it's less than the current 19-20 minimum salary.

Hey, welcome aboard!

You'd better be Gauthier's agent because the username checks out for the perfect premiere post.

 

[Frank E]

I'm getting a little tired of the "new Gauthier" talk.  He's played a couple of OK pre-season games after a full summer's rest, and we're supposed to believe that he's all of a sudden going to be a contributor here?

If the Leafs can't find a better player than Gauthier at 4th line winger (or part-time centre or whatever Babcock is thinking here) then they really haven't done a good enough job of getting cheap depth here.  That he doesn't super-suck like he usually does, combined with the fact that there is nothing else interesting about the Leafs' camp, are the only reasons this is even a conversation.

Nice guy, I'm sure, but not a guy that should be playing on a team that has high hopes.

I hate agreeing with you, but yeah you're dead on here. Likable guy and I get why some fans want to root for him, but he's just not a NHLer. I'm not sure what more Dubas could have done though this offseason to bump him lower in the line-up. He signed like half a dozen 4th liners that should be over him.

Well, you may agree with me there, but you're going to hate me now...

Marincin is not an NHL defenseman.  I get that none of the other options are good either, and maybe this is the devil that Babcock knows, but come on...this guy again?

They're going to have some problems this year if some injuries creep up.

 

[GoatWhisperer]

Problem is especially after Hyman and Dermott get back, we likely will need Goat for his salary since it's less than the current 19-20 minimum salary.

Hey, welcome aboard!

You'd better be Gauthier's agent because the username checks out for the perfect premiere post.

When the opportunity presented itself, I just couldn't resist making a grand entrance here.

I'm actually Barb Underhill's agent.  If there is a case for her getting a raise, GOAT is basically her argument.

 

[herman]

Well, you may agree with me there, but you're going to hate me now...

Marincin is not an NHL defenseman.  I get that none of the other options are good either, and maybe this is the devil that Babcock knows, but come on...this guy again?

They're going to have some problems this year if some injuries creep up.

Marincin is pretty fine for bottom-pairing duties, and he checks a ton of boxes in 700k. Plays both sides of the D pair, PK specialist, can actually skate (better than Ceci at the moment) and move the puck into the right zone.

 

[Zee]

Problem is especially after Hyman and Dermott get back, we likely will need Goat for his salary since it's less than the current 19-20 minimum salary.

Hey, welcome aboard!

You'd better be Gauthier's agent because the username checks out for the perfect premiere post.

When the opportunity presented itself, I just couldn't resist making a grand entrance here.

I'm actually Barb Underhill's agent.  If there is a case for her getting a raise, GOAT is basically her argument.

I'm all for the GoatWhisperer.  If we can get to a point where Goat is lifting the Cup in June imagine the tears that will flow from this user?

 

[GoatWhisperer]

Problem is especially after Hyman and Dermott get back, we likely will need Goat for his salary since it's less than the current 19-20 minimum salary.

Hey, welcome aboard!

You'd better be Gauthier's agent because the username checks out for the perfect premiere post.

When the opportunity presented itself, I just couldn't resist making a grand entrance here.

I'm actually Barb Underhill's agent.  If there is a case for her getting a raise, GOAT is basically her argument.

I'm all for the GoatWhisperer.  If we can get to a point where Goat is lifting the Cup in June imagine the tears that will flow from this user?

Goat from Moore and Spezza, Game 7, double overtime winner.  My hot takes are undefeated (also winless) so far so book it as your big money prop bet.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Well, you may agree with me there, but you're going to hate me now...

Marincin is not an NHL defenseman.  I get that none of the other options are good either, and maybe this is the devil that Babcock knows, but come on...this guy again?

They're going to have some problems this year if some injuries creep up.

I do think his familarity with the team will have been a large factor if he makes the final cut. Babs even said the other day he pretty much has no idea which way to lean for the bottom pair yet. None of the other guys (Harpur, Gravel, Schmaltz, Holl) have really stepped up at camp it seems.

 

[Frank E]

Well, you may agree with me there, but you're going to hate me now...

Marincin is not an NHL defenseman.  I get that none of the other options are good either, and maybe this is the devil that Babcock knows, but come on...this guy again?

They're going to have some problems this year if some injuries creep up.

I do think his familarity with the team will have been a large factor if he makes the final cut. Babs even said the other day he pretty much has no idea which way to lean for the bottom pair yet. None of the other guys (Harpur, Gravel, Schmaltz, Holl) have really stepped up at camp it seems.

I agree, and thank goodness for Sandin at this point, but he plays the same side as Dermott.

The 2016 draft is really biting them this year, and with Dubas not having acquired a Spezza-like old vet for pennies on the dollar, they're again sitting with AHL guys fighting for a bottom pairing position, and press-box/injury replacement.

I have to think that Dubas was really hoping that Liljegren was going to have a great camp, because these other plugs he's lined up to compete for RD are AHL players at best.

 

[Coco-puffs]

Well, you may agree with me there, but you're going to hate me now...

Marincin is not an NHL defenseman.  I get that none of the other options are good either, and maybe this is the devil that Babcock knows, but come on...this guy again?

They're going to have some problems this year if some injuries creep up.

I do think his familarity with the team will have been a large factor if he makes the final cut. Babs even said the other day he pretty much has no idea which way to lean for the bottom pair yet. None of the other guys (Harpur, Gravel, Schmaltz, Holl) have really stepped up at camp it seems.

Well, the interesting thing here is:

a)  Harpur and Gravel may be just as bad... but can they play the Right side?
b)  Schmaltz and Holl are probably a bit better 5v5, but they want Marincin to PK and those guys don't look like they can.

So, here we are holding our noses while we gleefully enjoy our third pair- because Sandin is on it.

 

[GoatWhisperer]

Well, you may agree with me there, but you're going to hate me now...

Marincin is not an NHL defenseman.  I get that none of the other options are good either, and maybe this is the devil that Babcock knows, but come on...this guy again?

They're going to have some problems this year if some injuries creep up.

I do think his familarity with the team will have been a large factor if he makes the final cut. Babs even said the other day he pretty much has no idea which way to lean for the bottom pair yet. None of the other guys (Harpur, Gravel, Schmaltz, Holl) have really stepped up at camp it seems.

I agree, and thank goodness for Sandin at this point, but he plays the same side as Dermott.

The 2016 draft is really biting them this year, and with Dubas not having acquired a Spezza-like old vet for pennies on the dollar, they're again sitting with AHL guys fighting for a bottom pairing position, and press-box/injury replacement.

I have to think that Dubas was really hoping that Liljegren was going to have a great camp, because these other plugs he's lined up to compete for RD are AHL players at best.

I think if they are going to run Sandin out all year, Marincin will start the year, but then be sent down once Dermott and Hyman get back.  The only scenario that works with Sandin in the lineup and not running 20 players is having Holl as a spare and Marincin with the Marlies.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I agree, and thank goodness for Sandin at this point, but he plays the same side as Dermott.

It felt like Dermott was being groomed a little to move to the right side last season.