GDT: Habs @ Leafs - 7pm

[TMLAM34]

Robertson is a legit threat everytime he has a clear lane to shoot on net. The rest of his game looks rough, but there's no doubt he will score if we give him the chance. To me the main Q is if the rest of his game is better served developing with the Marlies or with the Leafs. Looks like he'll at least get a shot with the Leafs to start the season

Holmberg and Steeves have both looked better IMO. And then there’s the obvious in Malgin as well.

 

[Nooodles]

Holmberg actually looks big

 

[Shooter2x]

Everyone needs to find another gear, it's preseason.
Malgin was already a servicable NHL player before and has sharpened his skills and skating since. I think it's already clear that he's able and willing to fight for his place.

I get that but this is 2LW we are talking about. I haven't seen a foundation that suggests he won't just get wiped out when teams start their NHL teams.

Robertson on the other hand, you can tell he left his IQ at home again last night and needs to sharpen up, but the skillset to evolve into a legit top 6 option beside JT is on full display.

And I get Malgin has points right now but that shot is a muffin so far in contrast to Robertsons rocket. The skillset is not there to jump Kerfoot and there's some better options if you're looking for bottom 6 play

 

[ULF_55]

Robertson looks like he could develop into a niche offensive player.

Maybe a full year in the AHL would give him the opportunity to develop the other skills for the NHL.

Doesn't seem very feisty though, which players like Gallagher and Marchand posses.

 

[dubplatepressure]

only caught the extended higlights but nice to see that Steeves was involved so much - hopefully he's progressing.

 

[conFABulator]

First game so can't expect more than just stopping the shots they allowed him to have.

Leafs showed up with their starting defensive pairings. All experienced NHL players. Kind of unfair really, to have all veterans on defense in a game like this.

Really? Because the two guys that got hurt are not projected to be Top 7 guys and neither is Mete who was also dressed. Of course by the second period we also had two F playing D.

 

[Face Of Bear]

Holmberg and Steeves have both looked better IMO. And then there’s the obvious in Malgin as well.

I'd agree, but I still think Robertson would score the most goals even with him looking worse in general. I think 3 of the 4 will probably start the season so they'll all get their chance.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

This is the most fun pre-season in years. Because of injuries at the D position, the need to fill out 3/4 spots on the 3rd/4th line, and the goalie question marks...it could go anywhere.

It's hard to to imagine players like Simmonds/Clifford getting longer looks when you have others hungry/better.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Holmberg looked like an NHL player to me, and a positive contributor at that.

Bunts - Matthews - Marner
Jarnkrok - Holmberg - Nylander

Top 6?

 

[4thline]

As much as I think Malgin was being written off too early, not ready to anoint him yet. Anyone that was paying any attention already knew that he's a slamdunk AAAA tweener that has excelled against better competition than the garbage the Habs put out last night. The real test will come when we get to 80-90% lineups.

That being said, if he's a solid top 9 guy that can be a third wheel to two of the big 4, that's a huge win and our lineup is complete.

If he's a solid top 6 guy... it's absolutely massive, opens up options like Nylander to the 3rd line without leaving the top 6 weak

 

[tp71]

Really hard to say what Murray is. MTL was all-time all-bad awful. Firing the puck at Murray's chest doesn't do a lot.

That means murrays positioning is good.

 

[ULF_55]

Really? Because the two guys that got hurt are not projected to be Top 7 guys and neither is Mete who was also dressed. Of course by the second period we also had two F playing D.

Yes, but those 2 forwards were veterans.

 

[ULF_55]

Holmberg looked like an NHL player to me, and a positive contributor at that.

Bunts - Matthews - Marner
Jarnkrok - Holmberg - Nylander

Top 6?

He doesn't look very far away if he isn't ready now.

Obviously, a few warmup games aren't enough, but from what I've read over the years, and how he looks today, he's going to be a support player. Won't drive a line, but he'll do the right things to support the line driver.

 

[The Podium]

This preseason really highlights how bad the Hunter era of drafting/scouting/developing was.

This type of internal competition for depth spots should have been consistent.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

I can't see anything Mess posts, but I really hope someone will be bumping his goalie doomer thread if our goaltending keeps up this play. Both look very comfortable and calm.

 

[Shooter2x]

This preseason really highlights how bad the Hunter era of drafting/scouting/developing was.

This type of internal competition for depth spots should have been consistent.

I'll take one Liljegren over all these guys competing for a depth spot. No need to stir up another Hunter hate fest.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

I'll take one Liljegren over all these guys competing for a depth spot. No need to stir up another Hunter hate fest.

Liljeren was a 13th overall pick. I think @The Podium is talking more about the later round guys that come up and fill holes.

 

[Shooter2x]

Liljeren was a 13th overall pick. I think @The Podium is talking more about the later round guys that come up and fill holes.

But still, Hunter did right by us leading the way to ensure Marner was drafted over the other players being considered and then held firm on Liljegren as his final parting gift. He did right by us I don't feel the need to consistently bring him up in a negative way. If he's a guy that gets you one impact player every 3 years or so that's pretty damn good. Trades Ufa and free wallet signings can offset internal depth competition obtained via draft.

I believe Lil went later than 13th

 

[banks]

2 forwards playing defense. That's pretty cool. I knew Kerfoot and Jarnkrok were versatile, but that's pretty impressive.

Preseason isn't usually memorable for much, but that's a cool story.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

But still, Hunter did right by us leading the way to ensure Marner was drafted over the other players being considered and then held firm on Liljegren as his final parting gift. He did right by us I don't feel the need to consistently bring him up in a negative way. If he's a guy that gets you one impact player every 3 years or so that's pretty damn good. Trades Ufa and free wallet signings can offset internal depth competition obtained via draft.

I believe Lil went later than 13th

Hunter drafted almost 0 players who made the NHL outside of his high 1st round pick. The void he left in our farm has been a big part of why we've lost the arms race to teams like Tampa, who continuously have been able to keep their pipeline of ELCs flowing.

It's nice to finally have some young guys filling spots. This is the proper way to run a team. Hitting on your lotto picks is important, but finding talent later in the draft also matters.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

I can't see anything Mess posts, but I really hope someone will be bumping his goalie doomer thread if our goaltending keeps up this play. Both look very comfortable and calm.

We had 2 threads not near max, he just wanted to be the author of the thread for his topic gloom project...Some fans might just have to get a new hobby if the Leafs are ever good.

Hunter sucked. Put Dubas name on Hunter's drafts and anyone rationalizing Hunter doing "right by us" is shrieking

 

[Shooter2x]

Hunter drafted almost 0 players who made the NHL outside of his high 1st round pick. The void he left in our farm has been a big part of why we've lost the arms race to teams like Tampa, who continuously have been able to keep their pipeline of ELCs flowing.

It's nice to finally have some young guys filling spots. This is the proper way to run a team. Hitting on your lotto picks is important, but finding talent later in the draft also matters.

66% of our bottom 6 is guaranteed to be UFA off the top my head. Let's wait and see how many of these guys even make it before we talk about the right way to build a team. I would personally choose one Lil every 3 years and zero late round hits over the current group fighting for a spot.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

66% of our bottom 6 is guaranteed to be UFA off the top my head. Let's wait and see how many of these guys even make it before we talk about the right way to build a team. I would personally choose one Lil every 3 years and zero late round hits over the current group fighting for a spot.

So you would choose to miss the playoffs every year? Because the only hits Hunter had were the lotto range picks when we missed the playoffs.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

66% of our bottom 6 is guaranteed to be UFA off the top my head. Let's wait and see how many of these guys even make it before we talk about the right way to build a team. I would personally choose one Lil every 3 years and zero late round hits over the current group fighting for a spot.

I guarantee if Dubas had produced 1 Liljegren in 3 years, you would hate it.

 

[Fogelhund]

Robertson is a legit threat everytime he has a clear lane to shoot on net. The rest of his game looks rough, but there's no doubt he will score if we give him the chance. To me the main Q is if the rest of his game is better served developing with the Marlies or with the Leafs. Looks like he'll at least get a shot with the Leafs to start the season

I'm no expert, but one thing I would do, is do further work on his core and lower leg strength. Not necessarily to become a power lifter type, but to build up better balance. He has no problems going to the boards, but he gets knocked down/falls down a lot. He's become pretty responsible on D as well, so that is a positive sign. But yes, he needs more development work, I'd agree with that. I think we've got a good complimentary player, once he's a little more polished.