Pre-Season discussion.

[chargerxthirty]

Ok, so we're 2 games in to the official "preseason" and I figured I'd make a spot to chat about it.

The kids have looked fabulous, in the first 2 games, all of the big name young guys have scored goals..

Bozak, Kadri, Stalberg and Hanson.

The goaltending has been good, we look tough as nails. I'm pretty excited.

Anybody else got comments...

The one thing thats unfortunate is that we have a ton of young potential, but there simply isn't enough room for them. Who do ya'll think makes it / gets cut.

I think Bozak and Stalberg have legitimate opportunities to make the club, but again, we have a lot of commited salary in guys like Hagman, Grabovski, Stajan, Blake... it'll be fun to see how this shakes out.

[bryant08]

Stalberg has looked so fluid with his skating, he's been solid. Bozak/Kadri have impressed me quite a bit and a really solid team effort on the PK and defensively against the Flyers. However, our PP has not looked good, but perhaps one Phil Kessel could improve that

[_venom_]

There should be spots made for Stalberg and Bozak if they continue to play well. I could care less about guaranteeing guys like Stajan, Orr, Primeau, or Mayers spots on the roster just because they're veterans. If the young guys impress, you make trades to make room, simple as that. I'd rather watch a bunch of young guys develop rather than old 3rd and 4th liners who won't contribute anything.

[TR50]

tonights game VS philly was pretty refreshing, loved the grit and Kadri can really fly.

Hagman had a stunning goal too

[chargerxthirty]

man this pre-season is exciting me.

Truly, we improved our lineup without giving anybody away. Now we can selectively pick our lineup and still have leftover trade assets which still have value. We have a surplus of defense... Ian white could even end up an odd man out. We have more scoring, better d, we're way tougher, we're young. It's a pretty good setup yall.

I don't think Burkie is done dealin. He's got way too many NHL caliber guys to stick em all on the Marlies. I would say, strap up... I think we're in desperate need of a first/second line center with passing ability and with a lot of extra guys around I don't think it's going to be tough to accomodate a trade with value for both sides.

[_venom_]

If Stahlberg is left off the team I will be EXTREMELY pissed. He has been the Leafs best forward for the entire preseason and his elite speed and intelligence is needed up front. He deserves to make the team no question. A Hagman, Grabovski, Strahlberg line would be a solid combo. There is no way that guys like Primeau, Mayers, Orr, Stajan, Tlusty, Kulemin, or Mitchell should have guaranteed spots over a guy like Strahlberg. He has a few nice rushes every game and I rarely see him make a mistake.

Hagman Grabovski Stahlberg
Blake Bozak Ponikorovsky
Kulemin Stajan Stempniak
Orr Mitchell Mayers
Primeau

Kaberle Komisarek
Beauchemin Schenn
Exelby White
Finger

Toskala
Gustafson

And I would actually keep Bozak with the team as well until Kessel comes back.

[Crowned]

If Stahlberg is left off the team I will be EXTREMELY pissed. He has been the Leafs best forward for the entire preseason and his elite speed and intelligence is needed up front. He deserves to make the team no question. A Hagman, Grabovski, Strahlberg line would be a solid combo. There is no way that guys like Primeau, Mayers, Orr, Stajan, Tlusty, Kulemin, or Mitchell should have guaranteed spots over a guy like Strahlberg. He has a few nice rushes every game and I rarely see him make a mistake.

Hagman Grabovski Stahlberg
Blake Bozak Ponikorovsky
Kulemin Stajan Stempniak
Orr Mitchell Mayers
Primeau

Kaberle Komisarek
Beauchemin Schenn
Exelby White
Finger

Toskala
Gustafson

And I would actually keep Bozak with the team as well until Kessel comes back.

I completely disagree. Stajan was extremely solid last season, and played a valuable role.

[_venom_]

If Stahlberg is left off the team I will be EXTREMELY pissed. He has been the Leafs best forward for the entire preseason and his elite speed and intelligence is needed up front. He deserves to make the team no question. A Hagman, Grabovski, Strahlberg line would be a solid combo. There is no way that guys like Primeau, Mayers, Orr, Stajan, Tlusty, Kulemin, or Mitchell should have guaranteed spots over a guy like Stahlberg. He has a few nice rushes every game and I rarely see him make a mistake.

Hagman Grabovski Stahlberg
Blake Bozak Ponikorovsky
Kulemin Stajan Stempniak
Orr Mitchell Mayers
Primeau

Kaberle Komisarek
Beauchemin Schenn
Exelby White
Finger

Toskala
Gustafson

And I would actually keep Bozak with the team as well until Kessel comes back.

I completely disagree. Stajan was extremely solid last season, and played a valuable role.

I didn't say Stajan was terrible, I said I'd rather give Stahlberg a spot rather than Stajan because Stajan has maxed out as a player (an average one) while Stahlberg has shown enough for me to get excited about. Of course I'd rather get rid of guys like Primeau, Mayers, etc.. before Stajan. Stahlberg has really impressed me and he should get a spot on the top 2 lines. Stajan is fine for a 3rd line center. Guys like Stempniak, Tlusty, and Kulemin have been major disappointments either last year (Stempniak) or in preseason (Tlusty and Kulemin).

[chargerxthirty]

Stajan is a scrub.

Guy has been a plug since minor hockey. when he was on the Mississauga Braves he never scored on me ever. Robbed consistently.

Overrated Leaf. Horrible.

[chargerxthirty]

gustavsson was awesome tonight. things look good.

[Cyrus]

This is why pre-season means nothing, most of the vets on the other teams were coasting, and not even trying.

I mean it's obviously better than starting pre-season 0-5, but don't read much into preseason, i think after our start this year in the regular season is enough proof.