Low Effort GDT Battle of Ontario: Toronto (away) vs. Ottawa (home), 7 p.m. EDT, (TSN 5, TSN 4)

[L'Aveuglette]

Where exactly on the third pair RD?.... At 2 million a replacement level D man is a bad investment.

Better than any of the options we currently have for the third pair. By far.

 

[bashbros32]

Better than any of the options we currently have for the third pair. By far.

2 Million for an every day, competent, puck moving, third pairing d-man that had above average defensive metrics on this team last year is "too much"

But 1.1 Million for a 7th D that should play like... 30 games is more than fine.

because 6'1" that blocks shots vs 5'10" that doesn't...

 

[swiftwin]

Paul has about 8 inches on him

So, 14 inches?

 

[DJB]

I thought JBD was better then Jensen tonight who committed two brutal giveaways.

 

[BigRig4]

It was a very low bar, but Hamonic's mobility is looking night and day from last season

I actually noticed this right away at the scrimmage on Saturday. Looked like a different player.

 

[HSF]

hard to take anything away from the defense when the leafs played a bare bones roster

I remember the sens killing the preseason last year

 

[bert]

Better than any of the options we currently have for the third pair. By far.

Better than Kleven? In a shut down PK role? Lol na.

2 Million for an every day, competent, puck moving, third pairing d-man that had above average defensive metrics on this team last year is "too much"

But 1.1 Million for a 7th D that should play like... 30 games is more than fine.

because 6'1" that blocks shots vs 5'10" that doesn't...

No one is saying Hamonic is a good investment either. However if they qualified Brannstrom then they are over the cap and he would be the #4 ld.

Addison will bring the same game/role but plays rd. At 800k and potentially on a 2 way.

 

[The Waffler]

For the smartest man-child on HF you can sure put 2 and 2 together.

But you're right it will probably be more like 35-35-12

You’re messed up dude

 

[ACLEVERNAME]

Love what they've done with center ice this year. First time we've seen the circle completely filled without any negative space I think?

 

[SpezDispenser]

Kleven/hamonic will be fine if he plays like that

 

[coladin]

Ok, as others said Hamonix is not winning a Norris but he’ll he can actually skate and pivot. And he has a bit of an edge tonight. Completely serviceable this year.

So far I would say JBD has the inside line on the Top 6. He looked composed and steady.

Brady and Claude were excellent and showed little rust. Brady needs conditioning. Tim for better every period, but still quite a bit of rust to work off.

Ostapchuck got better as he played more, as did most of them.

Jensen looked stiff and rusty, but loosened up nicely as the game went on and thank goodness for that. Jake Sanderson was amazing.

The PowerPlay was moving around pretty good and they had some good scoring chances. Tyler Boucher is a guy that just needs to play because he’s got the size and the edge to play in the NHL.

Unbelievable, dirty play by Holberg. Just no need for that in the preseason and I’m glad somebody did something even though it wasn’t enough but hell last year nobody would’ve done anything so there’s progress.

Best part of the night? They finally put two cops on the exit of the arena on the main stretch stopping all the walkers who are illegally parked in the auto mall. Looks like we are actually going to be able to get out of the arena this year! Thank God, somebody put their brain to it

 

[SensFactor]

My rankings of players pushing for a 4th line role outside of Cousins:

1. Jenik
2. Reinhart
3. Ostapchuk
4. Gaudette
5. Kulemin
6. Crookshank

Gregor has a 1-way contract, but he didn't look all that great in game 1 of the pre-season.
Hoping Crookshank shows better in the next game.

 

[aragorn]

- Tkachuk's passing abilty is very under-rated, when he sets up on the goal line he has great vision & always seems to end up with a shot on net ir goal.

- Stutzle should be returned to LW he would get more shots on net & more goals with his shot, he spends too much time being reckless with the puck at centre.

-Jensen is going to be a good steady top 4 RD

- Forsberg let in a stinker but settled down afterwards & was solid

- Giroux & Tkachuk look really good together, Stutzle has to catch up.

- that Couins - Greig - Perron line looked really good before Greig left, this would be an excellent 3rd line with a little bit of everything including sandpaper

= Sanderson is next level good & he's just starting his 2nd yr

- JBD & Hamonic were both solid on defence, I imagine they will share that 3rd pairing RD spot. I expect Ottawa's defence to be much better with the added jam on D

- tonights game was exactly what they needed to be, they hit a lot, won a number of board battles & puck fights & played like a playoff team needs to play. They still need to stop giving the puck away & reduce their shots against.

- Tyler Boucher will look better at the NHL level than he has before because he does the things they need a bottom six player to do & he has an NHL shot. He is very good at separating the puck from the player.

- after a tough night where he was having some bad puck luck how about Ostapchuk stealing a puck & going in on net for the winning goal. Two games against the Leafs & two of our future good young players Yakemchuk & Ostapchuk win the games for us.

 

[Boud]

Jensen looked like it was his first pre-season game tonight. You can see he's a good skater and can manage the puck but he made some bad outlet passes to Toronto players. He got handled in the Dzone too a few times. He'll get better when he shakes off the rust and plays with a partner that can carry the play, which he will.

I thought the first line skated well and had good zone entries but they played on the perimeter a lot. Too much compared to usual. Stutzle was passive but played with more speed as the game went on. They were good but I'd like to see more from in tight.

Cousins played a good game, I liked his game, he will be an upgrade on whoever was slotted to take a spot on the 4th line. Perron is slow, I'm a bit worried about him because this team wants to play fast. I don't know much he'll help this team 5 on 5.

Reinhardt played fast and made an impact, just like the last game. He looks like a prototype 4th line guy that understands his role.

The player I was most impressed with was JBD. I thought he looked great tonight. 3rd pair spot is his to lose. Steady, quiet, good short passes. It was almost a perfect game for him.

Sanderson is the best player on this team by a mile. Never takes a shift off. Always in good position. Always makes the right play. No one comes close to him on this roster.

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

Better than any of the options we currently have for the third pair. By far.

We could claim him if Colorado waives him. They have a handful of good players competing for a couple of spots.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

I thought Hammer and JBD both looked pretty good tonight. I'm not worried about our bottom pairing as much, if Kleven can be what we hope he is. He's the bigger wildcard imo.

 

[SpezDispenser]

I'd imagine holmberg shouldn't do that kind of thing again for risk of being beaten senseless.

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Greig hurt again?

 

[Boud]

Greig hurt again?

Holmberg grabbed him by the collar and jerked him to the ice, and he hit his head on the ice.

Green said he has a headache. Also seems like he had some damage on one of his teeth.

I think it's a good bet to say he probably has a concussion. It's preseason and no point for him to play. Probably needs a few days off.

It was away from the play too. I feel like that's the type of play that could get a fine or a suspension.

 

[StutzlingAway]

FORWARDS

1. Tkachuk: 40 goals season incoming. Best he has skated in his career.

2. Greig: He was dancing before his injury and looked outstanding in the intra squad game too. He’s much more confident this season, which should allow his high end skills to shine. A 50+ points breakout season wouldn’t be surprising if he stays healthy.

3. Perron: Fantastic addition with very little to dislike so far.

4. Reinhart: Continues to impress. There’s an NHL player there, the question becomes “now or later?”.

5. Giroux: Gave it his half and still stood out.

6. Ostapchuk: Nice pick and finish on the PK. Engaged and physical, got better as the game progressed, but he’s still not sure he’s NHL-ready. He would benefit from dominating in Belleville.

7. Stützle: Not as clumsy or sluggish as he was in the intra squad game, but still not there, as far as an A or even B game.

8. Cousins: Every bit of his playing style is agitating.

9. Boucher: Skates well and hits like a truck. The rest is tbd.

10. Highmore: Still a fringe depth player that stands out for his speed and hustle.

11. Pilon: Competed and made a few nice plays. Still not an NHLer.

12. Hodgson: Who now?


DEFENSE

1. Sanderson: There won’t be many games in which #85 isn’t the best player on the ice this season.

2. Jensen: Unspectacular. It’ll do.

3. Hamonic: Something, something, lipstick on a pig.

4. Roos: There’s very little there.

5: JBD: Yeah, give us Addison. It’ll be Belleville or another organization via waivers for this guy. Either way, his days in Ottawa are numbered.

6. Davies: Ay curumba!


GOALIE

Forsberg: Steady and composed. The team will need him this season.

Had pick up and really wanted to watch this game. Thaanks for the analysis!️

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Not gonna lie, Kulemin is really growing on me.

 

[Icelevel]

Holmberg grabbed him by the collar and jerked him to the ice, and he hit his head on the ice.

Green said he has a headache. Also seems like he had some damage on one of his teeth.

I think it's a good bet to say he probably has a concussion. It's preseason and no point for him to play. Probably needs a few days off.

It was away from the play too. I feel like that's the type of play that could get a fine or a suspension.

Should be fine and suspension for that. What a prick. Hope Greig is ok. That really sucks.

 

[Sensfan5]

I was keeping a close eye on JBD, Jensen, Boucher and Ostapchuk. JBD had a really good game. Obviously it wasn't the best competition but it was an encouraging performance. Jensen looked shaky, couple of bad giveaways but hopefully thats just rust and getting used to the new team. I liked Boucher's physicality, he really needs a full healthy season in Belleville, he could still yet carve out a role on the bottom 6. And I thought Osatapchuk was really good. really good defensively and obviously created the game winner all by himself.

 

[Micklebot]

So, Boucher had a quiet game but did manage 6 hits in under 12 mins of ice time. Seems alright, not that he stood out or anything.

 

[ACLEVERNAME]

So, Boucher had a quiet game but did manage 6 hits in under 12 mins of ice time. Seems alright, not that he stood out or anything.

He's that much closer to making it through a training camp. Baby steps.