Training Camp Thread

[bustaheims]

Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
Marleau-Kadri-Komarov
JVR-Bozak-Marner
Martin-Moore-Brown
Fehr-Leivo

Rielly-Hainsey
Gardiner-Zaitsev
Marincin-Carrick
Rosen-Borgman
Liljegren-Polak

Andersen
McBackup

That's who's left by my count. Interesting that a decision on Liljegren hasn't been made yet.

Based on contract situations, etc., this feels like how things likely play out. The cuts today make me feel like the Leafs have no intentions of making any waiver claims, either - at least, not on anyone who was placed on waivers yesterday..

 

[herman]

That said, you're certainly right that 22+ minutes in all situations in the OHL would be easy and welcome by the recipient team. I don't think the SHL would stand for it though. Only Oliver Kylington played junior hockey post-draft, and he was a late Rd 2 pick with no SHL contract at the time.

Kylington went straight to the AHL, no OHL time. But I'm fairly certain the Leafs would have the freedom to send him there. With that said Liljegren's agent pretty bluntly said he didn't think the OHL would be the best option for him earlier in the summer.

And as I'm constantly forgetting, the OHL put in new rules regarding the trading of import draft picks, so my half-joke about London acquiring him wouldn't be possible.

Ah yes, Stockton is AHL.

I'd really like him to stick with the Marlies. Rogle is bordering on relegation.

 

[herman]

Based on contract situations, etc., this feels like how things likely play out. The cuts today make me feel like the Leafs have no intentions of making any waiver claims, either.

And why would they bother? Babcock killed pretty much every waiver claim we made, except for Smith and McElhinney. Even less roster flexibility this year to even make a go of it from our middle to last spot on the picking list.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Is it possible they're trying to work out a deal in Sweden to send him to a contender?

 

[bustaheims]

And why would they bother? Babcock killed pretty much every waiver claim we made, except for Smith and McElhinney. Even less roster flexibility this year to even make a go of it from our middle to last spot on the picking list.

No reason. There's just been some players on waivers that I've seen people in other places express interest in. There's a couple interesting projects out there, but no clearly better 6/7 defencemen or backup goalies - and definitely no forwards of interest.

 

[herman]

No reason. There's just been some players on waivers that I've seen people in other places express interest in. There's a couple interesting projects out there, but no clearly better 6/7 defencemen or backup goalies - and definitely no forwards of interest.

Coreau of the Wings org drew passing interest from me, but only because I just saw him defeat our Marlies (and make several nice saves in tight on Johnsson and co).

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Reilly-Hainsey
Gardiner-Zaitsev
Borgman-Carrick
Marincin-Rosen

Pairs from practice.

 

[bustaheims]

Coreau of the Wings org drew passing interest from me, but only because I just saw him defeat our Marlies (and make several nice saves in tight on Johnsson and co).

Yeah. Coreau, Campbell, and Bachman were all "Hmm, maybe" types for me in terms of upgrading on McBackup. Same with McIlraith for the 6/7 spot on the blueline. But, none of them have much in terms of an NHL track record (well, Bachman sort of does, but, only one season with significant time), so, really, they were interesting projects more than anything else.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Reilly-Hainsey
Gardiner-Zaitsev
Borgman-Carrick
Marincin-Rosen

Pairs from practice.

And forward lines:

Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
JvR-Bozak-Marner
Marleau-Kadri-Komarov
Martin-Fehr-Brown
Moore, Leivo

Fehr at 4C? That's a bit surprising.

 

[cabber24]

Reilly-Hainsey
Gardiner-Zaitsev
Borgman-Carrick
Marincin-Rosen

Pairs from practice.

And forward lines:

Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
JvR-Bozak-Marner
Marleau-Kadri-Komarov
Martin-Fehr-Brown
Moore, Leivo

Fehr at 4C? That's a bit surprising.

Borgman in?

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Yeah, looks like Borgman and Fehr get the first looks.

I'm not crazy about Fehr, but he seemed to skate better than I thought he would and he produced 3pts in 4 games, more than the scoreless Moore and Aaltonen.

Who knows? Just looking for possible reasoning.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Yeah, looks like Borgman and Fehr get the first looks.

I'm not crazy about Fehr, but he seemed to skate better than I thought he would and he produced 3pts in 4 games, more than the scoreless Moore and Aaltonen.

Who knows? Just looking for possible reasoning.

I don't exactly hate Fehr on a more tradtional 4th line, but he was the worst possible option of the 3 to compliment Brown I think.

Brown might struggle to score 10 goals this season if he plays with them all year and doesn't get PP time.

 

[herman]

Yeah, looks like Borgman and Fehr get the first looks.

I'm not crazy about Fehr, but he seemed to skate better than I thought he would and he produced 3pts in 4 games, more than the scoreless Moore and Aaltonen.

Who knows? Just looking for possible reasoning.

Fehr is huge and decently mobile and a righty on the draw. I did want to see Martin - Boyle - Fehr last season, sort of for funsies, but he got knocked out of the season blocking a shot in his first game with us. I think he's worth a longer look.

 

[bustaheims]

I don't exactly hate Fehr on a more tradtional 4th line, but he was the worst possible option of the 3 to compliment Brown I think.

Brown might struggle to score 10 goals this season if he plays with them all year and doesn't get PP time.

Maybe, but Fehr hasn't exactly been an offensive black hole in his NHL career. He put up respectable numbers as the #3C in Washington. He may not have the speed to keep up, but, I think he can chip in a little more than we expect.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

The hope is that Fehr and Martin can use their skating and physicality to get pucks loose for Brown to finish.

Brown often seemed like he was deferring to others on his line last year, understandably so. Now though, he'll be the go-to scorer on his line, I hope he can get something done against other teams fourth lines/third pairs.

He will also probably be the guy getting bumped up the lineup whenever someone is banged up/not got their mojo on a given night.

 

[disco]

Yeah, Brownie's down there just cuz he's the 10th forward right now. I remember a few games last year Martin-Fehr/Boyle-Soshnikov were bangin' around and looking huge. Then half got injured

A big, bangin' fourth line would add a great element to this club, especially in the playoffs. Like the dimension Borg/Polak adds at 6D. Being able to knock an opposing player out of the lineup with a clean hit is underrated in my opinion.

 

[Bender]

Why wait until noon (per @dcmahiban):

Aaltonen gets cut. No other surprises there. The roster is at 26 (14 forwards, 10 defencemen and two goaltenders), so more cuts are still needed.

I thought there was some who believed Dermott could make it.

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

 

[herman]

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2017/10/02/mike-babcock-close-not-tie-goes-veteran/

On Aaltonen's cut:

What led you to wanting one of the veterans on that fourth line?

Babcock: Just because of that, and knowing how to play. I thought Aaltonen had a real good camp. Real competitive. We met with him today and talked about that and just a few things he needs to learn. We expect him to be back. Fehrsy and Mooresy, right now, just because they know the league and are reliable, that?s what we?ve decided to do. If there is a move that needs to be made, we?ll make her.

[...]

For you, why does the fourth line center role lend itself to veterans who have that experience and guys that know the league?

Babcock: Because your job, even though you?re the fourth-line center, is to play against the best centers in the league every night because you?re penalty killing. You?ve got to win faceoffs. You?ve got to know where to stand. You have to be safe. What I?ve learned over time is that in training camp, you go, ?Isn?t that kid great? Isn?t that kid great? Isn?t that kid great?? And then he?s minus. Ten games in, he?s -10, and you wonder why you have him there. Over time, you just hedge your bets. If the kid is ready, he?s ready. If it?s close, why not: Tie goes to the veteran? You can still continue to develop. We expect Aaltonen to play in the NHL. That isn?t a question at all. It?s just a question of when.

While I agree with this answer, the most infuriating part was "Fehrsy and Mooresy".

Which Swede?

Is it still possible both Swedish defencemen could start the year with the team?

Babcock: Oh, for sure it?s a possibility. We?ve got time so we?re buying it. It?s obviously very tight right there. There?s a business side of the game, too. We?ve got to work it all out.

Translation: Pridham is working on it. Performance Bonus Cushion stuff that no one cares about.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Lou Lam basically said that Lijigren is gone one of two places and Polak won't make the team. That's 24.. Babcock mentioning the business side could mean they are hopefully looking to trade Marincin somewhere. That would leave both Swedes here and the two vets on forward.

Who knows how that goes down, I just feel bad for guys like Kapanen and Dermott, those guys to me, should make the team over Moore, Fehr or Marincin... Do the vets mentioned really bring that much experience to today's game to make a difference over speed and talent?

 

[disco]

The top guys who didn't make it are equal with the bubble guys who did. It's a waiver issue. Guys who can go up and down with impunity vs guys who can't. They're all going to be there to the last playoff game. Babs and Lou said more or less today when talking to the media. It's a long, long season.