All Purpose Training Camp Thread.

[Mess]

For the record, I didn't mean necessarily that Grabo would be playing ON the third line. I mean I wouldn't mind if that was a line, as in they could be 2nd or 3rd. Who knows.

Grabs is playing in a top 2 center role that is not really disputable on merits.

However the problem arises where JVR and Frattin are concerned because that forces Kulemin & MacArthur out of the top 6 by their insertion.

We know Carlyle likes to match lines so he is going to utilize a checking line also in conjunction with 2 scoring lines .. So if you have Lupul--Bozak-- Kessel & JVR--Grabovski--Frattin as those units that places Kulemin and MacArthur in secondary and more defensive roles.

That doesn't even factor Kadri at all into the picture either.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle
Randy Carlyle's scrum is so big lots of media can't get into it... Welcome to training camp.

 

[topched]

Grabs is playing in a top 2 center role that is not really disputable on merits.

However the problem arises where JVR and Frattin are concerned because that forces Kulemin & MacArthur out of the top 6 by their insertion.

We know Carlyle likes to match lines so he is going to utilize a checking line also in conjunction with 2 scoring lines .. So if you have Lupul--Bozak-- Kessel & JVR--Grabovski--Frattin as those units that places Kulemin and MacArthur in secondary and more defensive roles.

That doesn't even factor Kadri at all into the picture either.

I think as far as our current roster goes... Kulie and Frattin should be the "checking" wingers... they're the best combo we have of physicality and scoring. Both of them should play on the 3rd "hybrid line".

Put Kadri between them.

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
JVR-Grabo-Mac
Kulemin-Kadri-Frattin

Good combinations of size and scoring on all lines. Kadri gets sheltered by some pretty physical gritty wingers who's game he can also improve with his playmaking.

 

[Mess]

I think as far as our current roster goes... Kulie and Frattin should be the "checking" wingers... they're the best combo we have of physicality and scoring. Both of them should play on the 3rd "hybrid line".

Put Kadri between them.

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
JVR-Grabo-Mac
Kulemin-Kadri-Frattin

Good combinations of size and scoring on all lines. Kadri gets sheltered by some pretty physical gritty wingers who's game he can also improve with his playmaking.

Then what happens with the 4th line as you have a lot of bodies including some big contract ones in Connolly and Lombardi sitting around?.

Unfortunately I think the kids Kadri and Frattin are in tough here because they're easily demoteable due to contracts, and under the new CBA you can no longer dump players like the vets mentioned above in the minors and off the cap. If Connolly and Lombardi are Leafs and Kadri and Frattin are Marlies people shouldn't be all that surprised due to current team composition/personnel. IMO

If McClement and Brown make up 2/3rds of your 4th line than room and roster spots becomes an issue to consider.

 

[topched]

Then what happens with the 4th line as you have a lot of bodies including some big contract ones in Connolly and Lombardi sitting around?.

Unfortunately I think the kids Kadri and Frattin are in tough here because they're easily demoteable due to contracts, and under the new CBA you can no longer dump players like the vets mentioned above in the minors and off the cap. If Connolly and Lombardi are Leafs and Kadri and Frattin are Marlies people shouldn't be all that surprised due to current team composition/personnel. IMO

If McClement and Brown make up 2/3rds of your 4th line than room and roster spots becomes an issue to consider.

Nonis specifically mentioned that some "tough decisions" would have to be made. And if i'm not mistaken also mentioned something about guys getting used to the AHL.

I think with Nonis in and a short season they won't worry about contracts. We've got a ton of unused cap space even with Lombardi and Connolly on the books. If they get outplayed I look to move them and or put them on waivers. No use in keeping these guys around, they've both got one year left, its not like we need to worry about them in the future.

A combination of McClement, Brown, Steckel, Komarov and even Orr as 4th line guys and fill ins.

 

[Mr Knies Guy]

I'm not the biggest Kadri fan, but I really hope he's on the ice Sat for the Leafs. I like him with Kulie and Mac, could be a solid line with those two hard working wingers. I think he deserves a really long look and I hope Carlyle gives him a fair shot

 

[SprDaVE]

Terry Koshan ‏@koshtorontosun

#Leafs Carlyle: "Conditioning with the group as a whole, we are fairly satisfied with that."

I know it's expected but at least it's a decent sign that most are ready to go.

 

[Mess]

Nonis specifically mentioned that some "tough decisions" would have to be made. And if i'm not mistaken also mentioned something about guys getting used to the AHL.

I think with Nonis in and a short season they won't worry about contracts. We've got a ton of unused cap space even with Lombardi and Connolly on the books. If they get outplayed I look to move them and or put them on waivers. No use in keeping these guys around, they've both got one year left, its not like we need to worry about them in the future.

A combination of McClement, Brown, Steckel, Komarov and even Orr as 4th line guys and fill ins.

If those "tough decisions" meant Connolly, Lombardi & Steckel beating out Kadri and Frattin for NHL roster spots would that surprise some people?

 

[selltrade]

If those "tough decisions" meant Connolly, Lombardi & Steckel beating out Kadri and Frattin for NHL roster spots would that surprise some people?

they shouldnt but probably will

 

[BlueForever]

If those "tough decisions" meant Connolly, Lombardi & Steckel beating out Kadri and Frattin for NHL roster spots would that surprise some people?

No questions asked, this team should include Frattin and Kadri on it. This team is not a Stanley Cup contender. This season is meant to grow. If we do well it benefits the kids, if we dont they learn. But they are our future. Use the shortened season to see what you have. Let them play in the NHL. I think the same should be said with Riemer and Scrivens. Let them play forget about Lou. Lets see what we have. Do we honestly believe this is a year for the Stanley Cup???? Playoffs would be great, but it would be greater with the kids.

 

[ACC1224]

If those "tough decisions" meant Connolly, Lombardi & Steckel beating out Kadri and Frattin for NHL roster spots would that surprise some people?

If Kadri/Frattin don't make it will it be blamed on entitlement?

 

[topched]

If those "tough decisions" meant Connolly, Lombardi & Steckel beating out Kadri and Frattin for NHL roster spots would that surprise some people?

I wouldn't consider those "tough decisions". They're expected like you mentioned, based on the history of this team taking the easy way out. We don't need wiggle room against the cap etc.

Nonis also specifically mentioned guys "adjusting to the AHL". I would say its much tougher to tell someone like Lombardi or Connolly that they don't have a spot for them rather than tell Kadri and Frattin that they've got too many NHL bodies atm.

 

[Michael Gary Scott]

If Kadri/Frattin don't make it will it be blamed on entitlement?

No they'll be busts. Where do you think this team is located? Media hates the young players

 

[Tak7]

No they'll be busts. Where do you think this team is located? Media hates the young players

Really?

They won't shut up about Gardiner, and almost single handedly threw his name into the Luongo discussion by themselves.

 

[SprDaVE]

Terry Koshan ‏@koshtorontosun

#Leafs Randy Carlyle on Nazem Kadri: "Not a matter of if he can play in the NHL, it is a matter of when."

 

[LeafsMonster]

Terry Koshan ‏@koshtorontosun

#Leafs Randy Carlyle on Nazem Kadri: "Not a matter of if he can play in the NHL, it is a matter of when."

Does that mean he thinks he's not ready?

 

[Bravid Nonahan]

Terry Koshan ‏@koshtorontosun

#Leafs Randy Carlyle on Nazem Kadri: "Not a matter of if he can play in the NHL, it is a matter of when."

To me that is encouraging, but also indicates that there is a possibility he ia sent down due to a logjam of bodies.

I's also like to point out that Wilson would never have said anything like that.

 

[TheDream]

Terry Koshan ‏@koshtorontosun

#Leafs Randy Carlyle on Nazem Kadri: "Not a matter of if he can play in the NHL, it is a matter of when."

**** this bs, basically means hes going back to the marlies. Carlyle also compared Kadri to how Bobby Ryan was dealt with in a similar fashion. I personally believe Kadri is ready to take on the NHL, theres simply nothing more for him to learn down in the A. ****ing hate this

 

[LeafsMonster]

Its kind of worrying though. He doesn't seem sure that he'll be there opening day.

 

[TheDream]

To me that is encouraging, but also indicates that there is a possibility he ia sent down due to a logjam of bodies.

I's also like to point out that Wilson would never have said anything like that.

Honestly its just a nice way of sending him back down to the marlies, they dont want to ruin his motivation and give him hope. At this point if he doesnt get a chance with the leafs I hope he gets traded and kills it on another team

 

[zeke]

David Alter ‏@DavidAlter590

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, MacArthur-Kadri-Kulemin, Connolly-Grabo-JVR, McClement-Hamilton-Brown, Orr-Steckel-Frattin, Komarov-Lombardi,

If Carlyle breaks camp with all of Kessel, Lupul, Grabo, Mac, JVR, Kuly, Connolly, Bozak, and Kadri in his top-9, I will be very impressed.....and extremely happy.

That would be as deep a group of scoring forwards as there is in the league.

 

[pspot]

Then what happens with the 4th line as you have a lot of bodies including some big contract ones in Connolly and Lombardi sitting around?.

Unfortunately I think the kids Kadri and Frattin are in tough here because they're easily demoteable due to contracts, and under the new CBA you can no longer dump players like the vets mentioned above in the minors and off the cap. If Connolly and Lombardi are Leafs and Kadri and Frattin are Marlies people shouldn't be all that surprised due to current team composition/personnel. IMO

If McClement and Brown make up 2/3rds of your 4th line than room and roster spots becomes an issue to consider.

not to mention your two best face off guys (McClement and Steckel) are on the same line

 

[topched]

**** this bs, basically means hes going back to the marlies. Carlyle also compared Kadri to how Bobby Ryan was dealt with in a similar fashion. I personally believe Kadri is ready to take on the NHL, theres simply nothing more for him to learn down in the A. ****ing hate this

I disagree.

This is REALLY encouraging for me. It shows that Carlyle believes in him, thats a huge vote of confidence that he never got when Burke or Wilson were here.

Carlyle just needs to oppertunity to turn him loose. I would say that almost means that Carlyle is game to put him on the roster, its a matter of optics and whether or not Nonis/Mgmt are okay with possible demoting some guys on 1-way contracts.

All Kadri needs is to be instilled with some confidence, like he got with Eakins, that he can go out and play his game and not worry about sitting on the bench the whole game if he turns the puck over.

 

[Mess]

I wouldn't consider those "tough decisions". They're expected like you mentioned, based on the history of this team taking the easy way out. We don't need wiggle room against the cap etc.

Nonis also specifically mentioned guys "adjusting to the AHL". I would say its much tougher to tell someone like Lombardi or Connolly that they don't have a spot for them rather than tell Kadri and Frattin that they've got too many NHL bodies atm.

Nonis has some work to do unloading dead weight, and until he does players like Kadri and Frattin are in tough, unless he makes roster room for them as they force his hand.

They're the easy demotions at this point in time.

 

[topched]

Nonis has some work to do unloading dead weight, and until he does players like Kadri and Frattin are in tough, unless he makes roster room for them as they force his hand.

They're the easy demotions at this point in time.

This is my thing though Mess... why does Nonis have to "unload" dead weight?

If they're dead weight, just send them down to the Marlies. Shop them before the start of the season, see if you can get late round picks for them. If not put them on waivers and have someone put in a claim.

To me Kadri offers as much on the ice as Connolly and Lombardi do. Nonis needs to show that he's different than Burkie, that he's not all about "loyalty etc". Be accountable, let Carlyle pick his team, the best players should play.