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GDT: Habs @ Leafs - 7pm

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Ziggdiezan said:
Thats how they may end the season but I really dont think they will split Muzzin and Holl to start the year. Why fix something that isn't broken so the saying goes
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Yeah I don't expect they will.
Although with the games being easier to start the year it may be the best time to do it.
 
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ACC1224 said:
Yeah I don't expect they will.
Although with the games being easier to start the year it may be the best time to do it.
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Fair enough, personally I'd rather Liljegren get his feet wet in the NHL as a regular on the 3rd pairing rather than with Muzzin who faces very high QoC
 
I mean maybe people just think Sandin and Liljegren can be better defensemen then Holl? If it was up to me I'd just move Dermott then pair Sandin and Liljegren with Holl and Muzzin respectively.
 
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ACC1224 said:
I'd prefer
Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - lilligren
Dermott - Holl
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I bet Keefe goes with this for the vast majority of the season, but pairs Muzzin and Holl to hold a lead or in cases of tough defensive matchups. More to insulate young guys rather than to insulate Holl.

That Muzzin-Holl pairing did very well under very tough usage and are being criminally underrated around here.
 
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ACC1224 said:
I'd prefer
Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - lilligren
Dermott - Holl
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Yup I was just about to say the same thing.

Stylistically Dermott is more in line with Sandin than he is with Lilly IMO. I have Lilly cemented in my mock's with Muzz. I love Lilly's game, and I truly think he is ready to play big minutes with a strong D-man like Muzz. Holl is a strong compliment to Muzz, and Muzz brings the best out of Holl, however I dont htink it is the case in reverse. That said, I actually think Lilly does brings the best out of Muzz. Something that has never been the case for Muzz his entire time in TOR. He is always burdened with this role of carrying his partner. I think Muzz has been in on the rush and offensive zone far more this preseason than I can ever remember. He looks great. How much of that is Lilly's impact on his other side? I am not entirely sure. But if he feels more confident getting into the play, there is definitely a reason behind that.

Sandin and Dermott 5v5 are relatively similar IMO. I think Sandin is better at going back on pucks, better in tight quarters (with the puck), and breaking out the puck. Whereas Dermott by in large is better defensively without the puck on his stick in the defensive zone. He's a lot more physical along the boards, and has a bit more of an ability to dispossess the puck from his opponent. The key difference for me is the PP. Sandin has the ability to be an elite PP QB in my opinion. His PP zone entries are better than anyone on the team, and he truly has elite offensive instincts. When his skillset aligns with that vision, which is most often the case when he is on the PP, it truly can be a gamechanger IMO.

Sandin has a ton still to work on IMO. All away from the puck. Pretty common for a defenseman of his style and age. IMO we have to start giving him the reps at the NHL level on a more consistent basis.

But yes I do agree whole heartedly, if Derms goes in, It should be in place of Sandin, not Lilly
 
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zeke said:
we need 7 dmen in an 82gm season, guys.

probably more than 7.
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Yup. But with Dermott on the roster, and carrying a 7th D-man that means we will not have an extra forward to carry. Assuming we waive Engvall we'd only have 466k left on a 21 man roster.

That might be the way they enter the season, but with no taxi squad that is going to be a bit harder to manage this year.

But it is looking like that's how they will start the year for sure
 
I have to imagine the goal is to keep Liljegren and Brooks/Semyonov in the lineup as at least extras based on their play, but not sure how they make that work
 
Sypher04 said:
I have to imagine the goal is to keep Liljegren and Brooks/Semyonov in the lineup as at least extras based on their play, but not sure how they make that work
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I don't think that's possible without a trade. But yes in an ideal world they more than deserve the opportunity. A 23 man roster is only achievable with money coming off the books. either Kerf, Micheyev, Engvall, or Derms would have to be moved to accommodate this, or a combination of players out. Something is going to have to give IMO. I have this gut feeling that we are going to run a 21 man roster for the start, and then wait for an injury to recall Seymonov, who is waiver exempt. I think they will honestly send Simmer down. I could be wrong on this, but I think Simmer's deal has the ability to be buried as he is not 35+

I know this may send shockwaves in the organization, but his play is just not where it needs to be to warrant being on the active roster. Brooks is not waiver exempt, and 100% would get claimed if he is sent down IMO. Simmonds likely not.

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this way they can do paper transactions on home games and allow Sandin to move down for Seymonov on days where they need a new look. Both of which are waiver exempt.

But this is only sustainable when the Marlies and Leafs are in TO at the same time. So maybe 25% of the time. Like I've said all along, I really think something will have to give. I really hope we don't lose Brooks over trying to maintain a loyalty to Simmer. This season needs to be a bit more cut throat IMO. I love Simmer, and wish him well. But this may be the only way to keep Brooks without a trade.
 
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ACC1224 said:
You don't think any of those 3 can become(if they aren't already) better players than Holl?
I don't think people are desperate for a trade they just want the team to be better.
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The main difference is, can become, vs. are now. Yes, I dearly hope that Liljegren CAN BECOME, better than Holl. I don't believe he is yet. I dearly hope, that Liljegren CAN BECOME better this year. I don't believe he is yet.

For now, Muzzin/Holl works for us. Maybe Muzzin/Liljegren can be better... but prove it first. Let the kid at least become a NHL regular, before we anoint him the hardest defensive minutes we throw at a pairing.

I had hoped Dermott would become more than he's shown so far, but his progress seemed to have stalled last year... weird year with Covid and all, maybe it's this year?
I don't see Sandin as a Holl replacement... he's not going to be a RD, so it's irrelevant. I see Sandin as a guy who either pushes Dermott to be a good RD, and an improving player, or pushes Dermott out the door.
Liljegren is probably the key here. But, he needs some NHL games, and he's going to struggle a little as he adjusts... he's always taken time to adjust to the next level, but excelled when given the opportunity.

Pre-season play, is pretty irrelevant to judge regular roster players. Really, it doesn't mean much for any of them, though it's always a good sign, when a new player shows chemistry on the team, or an emerging NHL player, shows that they belong.

I do think many people are desperate for a trade...we see it throughout, as people try to find a way to give us cap room.. trade Mik, trade Engvall, trade Kerfoot, Holl... A Dubas team has always been tight to the cap, and always found ways to make changes they deemed necessary.
 
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Twine Tickler said:
Yup. But with Dermott on the roster, and carrying a 7th D-man that means we will not have an extra forward to carry. Assuming we waive Engvall we'd only have 466k left on a 21 man roster.

That might be the way they enter the season, but with no taxi squad that is going to be a bit harder to manage this year.

But it is looking like that's how they will start the year for sure
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When Leafs are at home its not really a problem with the Marlies unless they're on the road.

Leafs might have to take extra bodies when on road trips however.
 
Mess said:
When Leafs are at home its not really a problem with the Marlies unless they're on the road.

Leafs might have to take extra bodies when on road trips however.
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ya exactly what I mean. I haven't compares the 2 schedules but I'd imagine the Marlies and Leafs are both in Toronto at the same time anywhere from 30-40% of the time. It is a huge advantage to have the ability to do these paper transactions for sure. But it is definitely not ideal, especially on our western roadies.

Injuries occur all the time, and someone will likely be put on LTIR at some point in the year. This will give us some flexibility.

I know we have the best guy in place to manage these daily transactions to make it all work, my only wish is to ensure Adam Brooks does not see waivers all year. IMO he is an everyday NHL player. He does far more right than Simmer IMO. If it means carrying an extra forward and only 6 D, so be it. We cannot lose an effective bottom 6 player like that. He is better than Engvall already, and is 20x more consistent than Pierre ever has been. He is an ideal 4L Centre IMO.

I will let Pridham work his magic, but I will be upset if we lose Brooks
 
Mess said:
When Leafs are at home its not really a problem with the Marlies unless they're on the road.

Leafs might have to take extra bodies when on road trips however.
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Which is fine if you have players waiver exempt. IMO, you're pressing your luck trying to continually pass players through waivers.
 
Twine Tickler said:
I don't think that's possible without a trade. But yes in an ideal world they more than deserve the opportunity. A 23 man roster is only achievable with money coming off the books. either Kerf, Micheyev, Engvall, or Derms would have to be moved to accommodate this, or a combination of players out. Something is going to have to give IMO. I have this gut feeling that we are going to run a 21 man roster for the start, and then wait for an injury to recall Seymonov, who is waiver exempt. I think they will honestly send Simmer down. I could be wrong on this, but I think Simmer's deal has the ability to be buried as he is not 35+

I know this may send shockwaves in the organization, but his play is just not where it needs to be to warrant being on the active roster. Brooks is not waiver exempt, and 100% would get claimed if he is sent down IMO. Simmonds likely not.

View attachment 468684

this way they can do paper transactions on home games and allow Sandin to move down for Seymonov on days where they need a new look. Both of which are waiver exempt.

But this is only sustainable when the Marlies and Leafs are in TO at the same time. So maybe 25% of the time. Like I've said all along, I really think something will have to give. I really hope we don't lose Brooks over trying to maintain a loyalty to Simmer. This season needs to be a bit more cut throat IMO. I love Simmer, and wish him well. But this may be the only way to keep Brooks without a trade.
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pretty much the way I see the line-up unfolding as far as the personnel, but there's no way Mik plays ahead of Kerfoot, don't get me wrong but Kerfoot has a lot more upside offensively and why would you waste it playing him 10 mins a game on the 4th, the other thing with Kerfoot is he really stepped up and had a lot of chemistry with Willie when JT went down. The only thing for sure is that there's going to be lot's of tough decisions in the next week and a few broken hearts

Kerfoot - JT - Willie
Mik - Kampf - Kase
Bunting - Brooks - Spezza
 
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