All purpose Training Camp thread (II)

[TootooTrain]

I don't think Kostka is quick enough to play in the NHL but I certainly hope I'm wrong.

That's the big question with him. He doesn't excel in one particular area except for gap control and anticipation. He's good at reading plays and positioning himself accordingly. Not bad on the offensive side either. Should be interesting on how he handles the NHL. It's a great story.

 

[Hero]

Marlies get hurt a bit.
I hope Eakins plays Ashton - Colborne - Frattin a lot.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Marlies get hurt a bit.
I hope Eakins plays Ashton - Colborne - Frattin a lot.

we have enough depth to take the hit. people hate on burke all he wants but he made this team and our farm team ready for all situations.

 

[Hero]

we have enough depth to take the hit. people hate on burke all he wants but he made this team and our farm team ready for all situations.

Yeah. The Aucoin call up hurt the most. Carlyle has seen him play, leafs brass have seen a lot of him. We sort of knew what we had in him. Why bring him up just to send him back through waivers.

But I guess if he made it through we wouldn't of been saying anything.

Kostka/Fraser is also a serious blow to the blueline there, but it might force the young guys to play more on the Marlies.

Maybe with Aucoin gone Colborne takes some of his PP minutes, or his line now gets more attention and he develops, and losing Aucoin ends up being a blessing in disguise, who knows.

 

[4evaBlue]

It makes sense for Frattin to get sent down since he doesn't have to clear waivers. He'll likely be our first call up in case of injury so no big deal.

Very doubtful that he'll be the first injury call up, IMO, as he'll likely require waivers to get sent back down (and get claimed in the process) once the injured player is back. He also wouldn't be able to parttake in the Marlies playoffs without having to clear waivers.

It wouldn't surprise me much if we didn't see Frattin on the Leafs this season.

I don't believe this is the case. If he had to clear wavers do you think he would have been sent down? I don't think so... It's a numbers game of the mistake Burke did in not clearing roster spots for the young guys you project as part of the teams future... Mac holds his spot, the difference between Mac and the 2 others in Lombardi and Connoly is that he has trade value it would be irresponsible of Nonis to not get something useful in return for him, I get that even if I would have just given away Mac if I was GM I understand what's going on. It's just a matter of time until Mac plays his last game with the Leafs IMO.

Kadri wouldn't have had to clear waivers, neither would Komarov. If Frattin would have outplayed either one of them, chances are, he'd still be with the big club.

Mac is probably on his way out eventually, but considering that he's a playmaker, Kadri seems to be his natural replacement.

The assessment of Frattin is wrong on this forum he's a natural goal scorer and to be at his best needs to be playing in an offensive role with offensive line mates... He brings everything MacArthur does only he's bigger, stronger a better skater with a lethal shot

No he doesn't. MacArhtur is a decent playmaker, where Frattin is Mr. TunnelVision himself. Mac is also a 50ish point player, where Frattin is more of a 20-25 point guy so far. He has a lethal AHL shot that hasn't translated all that well to the big league.

 

[4evaBlue]

Yeah. The Aucoin call up hurt the most. Carlyle has seen him play, leafs brass have seen a lot of him. We sort of knew what we had in him. Why bring him up just to send him back through waivers.

But I guess if he made it through we wouldn't of been saying anything.

I was a bit annoyed at this first, too, but then I realized that we need to stop being selfish. This is probably the best for Aucoin, and I wish him all the best in the NHL.

Maybe with Aucoin gone Colborne takes some of his PP minutes, or his line now gets more attention and he develops, and losing Aucoin ends up being a blessing in disguise, who knows.

Not so much Aucoin, but with Kadri gone, Joe will likely get considerably better icetime, and opportunities. Hopefully he'll make them count.

 

[Hero]

I want to be an optimist but...

Lupul - Bozak - Kessel
Depends on if Lupul can continue his form from last year and if Bozak can keep up with these two, if so we have a decent scoring line, now Kessel's numbers took a massive dip when Randy came in, his ppg and gpg cut in half, we'll see what happens here, a lot of question marks
Kulemin - Grabovski - MacArthur
Two years ago, solid, last year a mess. If Kulie can keep his physical edge, and starting burying it a bit more this line will be fun to watch, but if we get what we got last year, Randy will need to do some kind of shake up. Imo MacA being dealt/waived and Frattin coming up.
van Riemsdyk - Kadri - Komarov
This line has a lot of potential, playmaker with a lot of upside, big skilled winger with a lot of upside, and a pest with some offence. If they gell sick line, if not could be a very awkward 3rd line.
Brown - McClement - Orr
I'm excited for this line, Orr has changed a lot and I like him, McClement is a player we might all grow to love and we already all love Brownie, could be a fan fav. line.
Steckel

Phaneuf - Kostka
Phaneuf was shakey defencively late last year, and Kosta isn't very mobile either, could be a disaster. Kostka goes from 1st/2nd pair AHL to 1st pair NHL.
Gunnarsson - Komisarek
Worried about the chemistery here, these two have never played together.
Liles - Franson
Have played together before and it went well, happy to see this pair back.
Holzer
Was hoping he'd start over Komi, but Komi must have proved he wanted it more.
Fraser
Glad to see him back in the NHL decent depth guy, but the type fans turn on easily.

Reimer
I think Scrivy will steal his job.
Scrivens
Might steal Reims job from Reim falling a part, our goaltending will keep us bottom 5 I think
​

In the end

Offence anywhere from C+ to B+
Defence anywhere from C- to B
Goaltending anywhere from D- to C

At our best we can play good games and fight for an 8th spot, at our worst we're a bottom 3 team in the league.

 

[Bravid Nonahan]

I'm actually really intrigued by Mike Kostka

 

[Hero]

Another plus with Kadri coming up and Aucoin moving out is Ross having a better chance to actually play.