Training Camp Opens Friday

whysoserious · Post #1 » by **whysoserious** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 8:24 pm

This board has seemed a bit dead for the last little while but training camp opens this Friday and first
pre-season game is Monday.

I'm kind of excited to watch hockey for the first time in years, although part of it has to do with the fact that it looks like no basketball for a while.

Post #2 » by **YogiStewart** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 9:59 pm

the pre-camp comments that Burke made are ridiculous.
if i was a Leafs' fan, i would be irate by his statement that there's only 1 roster spot available.

Guys like Komisarek and Lupol should be on the cusp of being sent to the minors. You want to give Kadri, Colborne and that NCAA forward they signed last year the chance to make the roster.

The Leafs' top 6 forwards are below average when compared to the rest of the league, so do what you need to do in order to increase your competitiveness.

D-wise, there's talent but there are zero superstars and LOTS of cap dollars. I'd rather have Burke trade for or sign a talented forward instead of getting Liles, and trying Gardinder or McKegg on D.

This year looks pretty grim. Zero to no upgrade in talent and one can argue that they played above their level last year. With teams like Carolina getting better, Atlanta moving to Winnipeg and being a year older, the Leafs will be hard pressed to make the playoffs.

Post #3 » by **Crowned** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:31 pm

YogiStewart wrote:the pre-camp comments that Burke made are ridiculous.
if i was a Leafs' fan, i would be irate by his statement that there's only 1 roster spot available.

Guys like Komisarek and Lupol should be on the cusp of being sent to the minors. You want to give Kadri, Colborne and that NCAA forward they signed last year the chance to make the roster.

The Leafs' top 6 forwards are below average when compared to the rest of the league, so do what you need to do in order to increase your competitiveness.

D-wise, there's talent but there are zero superstars and LOTS of cap dollars. I'd rather have Burke trade for or sign a talented forward instead of getting Liles, and trying Gardinder or McKegg on D.

This year looks pretty grim. Zero to no upgrade in talent and one can argue that they played above their level last year. With teams like Carolina getting better, Atlanta moving to Winnipeg and being a year older, the Leafs will be hard pressed to make the playoffs.

I disagree about Lupul. Why would we send him to the minors? He played reasonably well for the Leafs last season, with 9 goals and 18 points in 28 games.

Gardiner could be a fit on defense, but McKegg is a forward.

The East is going to be a tossup this year;

I see Montreal as a 8/9 seed.
If Roloson has a rough season, Tampa could be in trouble.
Ottawa, Winnipeg, NY Islanders are locks to miss the playoffs IMO.
Florida could make a run with their free spending offseason
NJ Devils are a fringe 8-10 team.
Buffalo is going to have a good team, and could be a top 4-5 seed.
Carolina will be a fringe 7-10 team.

All in all, there are going to be quite a few teams battling for that 7/8 seed this year, and I think Philly might be one of them.

With the respect to the Leafs, they're a toss up as well. There are a TON of question marks heading into the season, much like any other season. Will MacArthur repeat? Will Schenn continue to improve? What about Reimer? Will Kadri be productive? Can Connolly be that #1 center next to Kessel?

whysoserious · Post #4 » by **whysoserious** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 12:55 pm

YogiStewart wrote:the pre-camp comments that Burke made are ridiculous.
if i was a Leafs' fan, i would be irate by his statement that there's only 1 roster spot available.

Guys like Komisarek and Lupol should be on the cusp of being sent to the minors. You want to give Kadri, Colborne and that NCAA forward they signed last year the chance to make the roster.

The Leafs' top 6 forwards are below average when compared to the rest of the league, so do what you need to do in order to increase your competitiveness.

D-wise, there's talent but there are zero superstars and LOTS of cap dollars. I'd rather have Burke trade for or sign a talented forward instead of getting Liles, and trying Gardinder or McKegg on D.

This year looks pretty grim. Zero to no upgrade in talent and one can argue that they played above their level last year. With teams like Carolina getting better, Atlanta moving to Winnipeg and being a year older, the Leafs will be hard pressed to make the playoffs.

I know where you're going with what you are stating but I think this team improved in the off-season and I'm just excited for hockey to be back (because of no basketball and tired of baseball) and I havent' felt that in a long time.

rarefind · Post #5 » by **rarefind** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 3:54 am

Make no mistake, this team is improved in comparison to last year. Keeping in mind that the leafs were one of the top teams in the league after the all star break there is no reason to believe they won't be able to contend for a playoff spot. There are many variables but all of our pieces should continue to get better, even Kessel himself. Reimer played incredibly last year but we have yet to see him struggle yet or prove that he can be a #1 over the course of an entire season. Make no mistake, he is this team's x factor. If he continues his great play, we are a virtual lock for the playoffs. If he bombs, this team will be headed for a lottery pick.

Not a people are giving credit to how strong this team looks defensively, the Franson deal was an absolute steal. If Lombardi contributes anything this year then that is a bonus.

I'd be prepared to say though that the Leafs will make the playoffs this season, what this team lacks in star power is made up with great depth overall.