Leafs Preseason Discussion

[Relentless88]

Gardiner makes the team, Aulie sent down.

Opening day roster:

Forwards: Colby Armstrong, Tyler Bozak, Mike Brown, Tim Connolly, Philippe Dupuis, Matt Frattin, Mikhail Grabovski, Phil Kessel, Nikolai Kulemin, Matthew Lombardi, Joffrey Lupul, Colton Orr, Jay Rosehill

Injured: Nazem Kadri.
Suspended: Clarke MacArthur.

Defence: Cody Franson, Jake Gardiner, Carl Gunnarsson, Mike Komisarek, John-Michael Liles, Dion Phaneuf, Luke Schenn

Goalies: Jonas Gustavsson, James Reimer

[Crowned]

I would have preferred to see Boyce make the team over Rosehill, that's a big mistake. We don't need both him and Orr in the lineup, or on the roster for that matter. Other than that, it's nice to see Frattin making the team, though he'll likely be sent down once Kadri returns (depending on his play).

The Leafs need to do something with Komisarek quickly, because there's no way I want to see Aulie in the minors for much longer. He should be up with the team, especially after his strong play last year as a top 4 defenseman with us.

[_venom_]

I honestly cannot understand the fascination with having Rosehill and Orr on this team. They are both useless. I'd much rather have guys like Zigomanis and Boyce on the 4th line. I like Mike Brown because at least he has some speed and can kill penalties but Orr and Rosehill are just plugs and a waste of 2 roster spots. With Kadri, MacArthur and possibly Connolly out the first game, our 4th line is probably going to be something pathetic like Rosehill/Dupuis/Orr.

Lupul/Bozak/Kessel
Kulemin/Grabovski/Frattin
Brown/Lombardi/Armstrong
Rosehill/Dupuis/Orr

That's my guess on Thursday night's lineup. If Connolly is cleared, then Lombardi moves to LW on the 3rd line with Bozak and Armstrong, while one of Orr or Rosehill sit out. When Macarthur gets back it'll be interesting to see who get's bumped down to the 4th line....Frattin? Bozak? Armstrong? We're deep up front when we're healthy too but we don't have much high end talent. I'd still like to see us make a trade for another forward using an extra Dman (Gunnarson or Franson) and Bozak in a package if we can't find a taker for Komisarek.

I wasn't surprised to hear Aulie got sent down. He's only been ok in preseason and he's on a 2way contract so he doesn't have to clear waivers. Gardiner beat him out for the spot. Now the question becomes who is in the pressbox to start the year on D? Phaneuf, Liles, Schenn are in for sure. I expect Komisarek to be playing at his price and in order to garner some interest for trade. I also think Gardiner has to play because it'd be really dumb to keep him on the team to just practice. That leaves one spot between Gunnarson and Franson. My guess is Franson sits the first game. Part of me actually thinks the Leafs should have sent both Gardiner and Aulie down to the Marlies so they get plenty of ice time, and then keep Lashoff as the 7th Dman until an injury/poor play occurs. It's really unfortunate a young guy like Franson might have to sit out. My predicted D pairings:

Gunnarson/Phaneuf
Liles/Schenn
Gardiner/Komisarek

[darth_federer]

EDMONTON - After 15 days of training camp and eight NHL pre-season games, Edmonton Oilers coach Tom Renney has as many questions as answers, mostly about his blue-line because his defencemen are lining up to get examined by trainer T.D. Forss.

It doesn’t help that the Oilers’ back end also needs a puck-moving defenceman. There’s no sense having forwards Taylor Hall, Magnus Paajarvi and Ales Hemsky come back 180 feet to get on the attack, when one 60-foot head-man pass will send them on their way.

That’s a longer story for another day, but Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini certainly is looking. Yes, we know young Carl Gunnarsson’s name keeps coming up because the Toronto Maple Leafs have too many blue-liners and badly need forwards — where the Oilers are top heavy — but is the Swede really the answer?

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/O ... -ej_oilers

We need a good forward desperately.

Ron Wilson is on twitter btw. Tweeted by the Hockey News and Leafs players are following him too

http://twitter.com/#!/coachrw63

[ATLTimekeeper]

EDMONTON - After 15 days of training camp and eight NHL pre-season games, Edmonton Oilers coach Tom Renney has as many questions as answers, mostly about his blue-line because his defencemen are lining up to get examined by trainer T.D. Forss.

It doesn’t help that the Oilers’ back end also needs a puck-moving defenceman. There’s no sense having forwards Taylor Hall, Magnus Paajarvi and Ales Hemsky come back 180 feet to get on the attack, when one 60-foot head-man pass will send them on their way.

That’s a longer story for another day, but Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini certainly is looking. Yes, we know young Carl Gunnarsson’s name keeps coming up because the Toronto Maple Leafs have too many blue-liners and badly need forwards — where the Oilers are top heavy — but is the Swede really the answer?

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/O ... -ej_oilers

We need a good forward desperately.

Ron Wilson is on twitter btw. Tweeted by the Hockey News and Leafs players are following him too

http://twitter.com/#!/coachrw63

I thought for a second there they were implying Paajarvi for Gunnarsson, but then I realized how ridiculous that would be. Edmonton isn't giving up any of their blue chippers for Gunnarsson, that's for sure. The Leafs won't get much for their D men unless they start winning and it actually resembles a surplus. Right now it's just a "looks good on paper" scenario.

[Homer Jay]

I think Paajarvi has kind of fallen a bit out of favour here, He didn't show nearly as much as Hall and Eberle did last year. I don't think Gunnarsson would get him. But I think Gunnarsson and Aulie would. Oilers desperately need D-men. Other than Tom GIlbert and Ryan Whitney they are all stay at home guys, marginally talented, and terrible with the puck. To top it off Whitney seems to have some ongoing feet problems that never seem to go away.

If Burke is going to target any team with his excess defensemen, then Oilers are a good choice.

[_venom_]

There are a few teams in the NHL that the Leafs should certainly target in trade:

Columbus- They're very thin at D, could definitely use another Dman. I doubt he's available but I would love to go after Derrick Brassard.

NY Islanders- Another team with a pathetic D. Lot's of rumors about them being a possible destination for Komisarek although I doubt Komi would approve a trade there. They have some interesting forwards like Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo.

Edmonton- They obviously need a ton of help on the back end, but what are they willing to give up to get that help? Paajarvi seems like the most likely to be possibly available but I have my doubts about that too. Maybe Edmonton would be desperate enough to take on Komisarek for a late pick? One can hope.

Phoenix- There have been a bunch of Kyle Turris rumors linked to us but Phoenix is already pretty deep on D so I don't see what we can offer to get a trade done there.

[rarefind]

really, franson will be scratched? not sure i get the logic there.

[rarefind]

leafs JUST got steckel for a 4th rounder

http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2011/10/devils_trade_c_david_steckel_t.html

not sure what this means for dupuis

[bryant08]

He's great on the draw but Steckel doesn't bring a whole lot else. We've pretty much got a glut in our bottom 6 at this point. Been lots of little rumours here and there about us shipping out a defenseman, or wanting a big forward, not sure if those will materialize. Also a few rumours mentioning Kyle Turris and his situation. Although that's an avenue I'd love for Burke to take advantage of, I wouldn't give up much of value and the kid wants $3M+ having done absolutely jack in the NHL. Unless you plan on giving him major minutes it's not like he's going to emerge on the third-fourth line either, so I'm not sure it makes sense.

[YogiStewart]

so they basically traded for a pricier version of Zygomanis?

[darth_federer]

Some people are saying that Bozak + defenseman will probably be packaged in a deal. Franson not playing is because they re showcasing someone.

[rarefind]

bozak for turris isn't a great move if turris gets a deal that will pay him more than 2.5 million. he hasn't been much better than bozak at this point which is saying a lot considering how much potential he has. turris is a sexy name but i'd be weary of him getting a good chunk in salary considering he hasn't done jack in the league as of yet as pointed out.

[ATLTimekeeper]

^Bozak was -29 last year. Well ahead of the next worse guy. I'd flip him for Turris in a heartbeat, who, while he hasn't done much is still coming off his rookie season and is only 22. You bank on his upside.

[_venom_]

Flipping Bozak for Turris is a no brainer. Phoenix wouldn't do that but I'd be willing to add more in the deal to get Turris. I'd add an Aulie or Gunnarsson with Bozak for Turris but Phoenix is deep on D and probably don't need another Dman.

Let's face it, the Leafs are still way off from being a contender. They need some premier talent up front. With the cap system in place it's bascially impossible to get that talent in free agency, so you basiically either have to draft really well or make some risky trades like tradinf for Turris. Yes Turris hasn't done anything in the NHL so far but he has shown flashes and he has the talent to be a top player. I'd be willing to pay him 2.5-3 mil for a couple years to see if he can turn the corner on his career. It's not like we're gonna use that 2.5 million on a stud free agent signing....

I think the trade for Steckel clearly sets the table for another move. We have way too many bottom 6 forwards now.

[ATLTimekeeper]

^Yeah, I didn't mean to say it would be one for one. Anyway, it looks like Burke is only interested in soft, skilled forwards if they're American, so Turris would be out of the question as would Paajarvi. I think the Leafs will end up getting someone much older and proven. They're going to make a bad deal just to seal off 8th. It's too bad that they'll probably ship out Gunnarsson just because they're too ashamed to put Komisarek in the press box. So not only are they putting a worse player on the ice, but they'll likely lose out on the potential of Gunnarsson (or Aulie) for a known commodity.

[YogiStewart]

I was really impressed with Gunnarsson in his rookie year. Last season, not so much. He was just there. Didn't excel at anything.
The only reason why I like him is because of his significantly lower price tag when compared to the rest of the overpriced D

[Crowned]

I really don't understand why we just paid a 4th round pick for Steckel, when Betts was sitting there on waivers for free.

With regards to Turris, I'm calling his bluff on his asking price with Phoenix. There's no way he's worth 3-3.5 mil per season, and I think he knows that. I'm willing to bet he wants out of there, and drove up the asking price.

[rarefind]

I feel that turris is all but demanding a trade with that demand, basically forcing a team that financial insecurity is almost scary. but paying a player based on potential is risky business in most climates. with the path that burke has chosen to take you need to get lucky in acquiring top 6 talent, may be a chance to do so. but again, this is a pretty big risk in my books... one that i'd probably take, mainly because bozak isn't going to be anything special himself. pretty sure phoenix asks for more than just bozak though...

[_venom_]

So the lineup for tonight's game barring an unexpected change will be:

Kulemin Grabovski Frattin
Lupul Bozak Kessel
Steckel Dupuis Armstrong
Rosehill Lombardi Brown

Sitting: Orr
Suspended: Macarthur
Injured: Connolly and Kadri


Gunnarsson Phaneuf
Liles Schenn
Gardiner Komisarek

Sitting: Franson

My guess is that the Leafs use the first 2 games to showcase a few players, then they have a week off (really weird schedule) in order to make a trade. When Macarthur and Connolly are back something has to give.

Kulemin Grabovski Macarthur
Lupul Connolly Kessel
Frattin Bozak Armstrong
Lombardi Steckel Brown

Sitting: Orr and Rosehill
Sent down: Dupuis

You could do that, but if Lombardi progresses well then he shouldn't be on a 4th line...maybe they'd send Frattin down depending on how he plays.