GDT: Leafs @ Panthers - 7pm - Knies era begins

[Nineteen67]

With Svechnikov out, he does not think Carolina has enough elite talent. Thinks Tampa is beat up. I like NJ but they have to go through NYR who I like better because they have the better goalie. NJ probably wins the Metro next year.

I think the Canes are great regular season team but don’t have the goaltending or the toughness to grind in the playoffs.

 

[smitty10]

So you don't think he'll be slotted in as 1 LW immediately? How dare you sir?

If he's not a #1 LW by the end of tonight then why did we even sign him? I expect a Matthews-like first game from him. Anything less will be a massive disappointment.

 

[kb]

If he's not a #1 LW by the end of tonight then why did we even sign him? I expect a Matthews-like first game from him. Anything less will be a massive disappointment.

This is the only realistic take. ^^^^

 

[Nineteen67]

.

I think they will give him chance to catch his breath and get comfortable with pro life.
I could also be very wrong and he plays tonight,it would certainly make this game more interesting

I really don't know enough about him to predict where he will play in the lineup.
Bunting played on the top line, if he could do it I would think Knies wouldn't look completely out of place.

My job isn’t on the line, but I’d like for Keefe to throw him in the deep end to see how he responds.

 

[therealkoho]

On the radio this morning Dreger said he would be surprised if Knies played tonight.

The one time the dynamic dreamboat dregs will probably be right

 

[ULF_55]

I think they will give him chance to catch his breath and get comfortable with pro life.
I could also be very wrong and he plays tonight,it would certainly make this game more interesting

I really don't know enough about him to predict where he will play in the lineup.
Bunting played on the top line, if he could do it I would think Knies wouldn't look completely out of place.

The thing is he'd be playing with two veteran all stars.
He'd be expected to skate well enough to follow two of the very best veterans in the game today.
He'd just be a support player, with emphasis on skating up and down on his wing.
I think veteran all stars could carry just about any rookie in these tune-up games.

My expectation is Keefe won't put him in if he feels there is risk of damage.

 

[therealkoho]

Servelli thinks there are 5 serious SC contenders. They are Boston, Toronto, Edmonton, Colorado and (Dallas or Vegas). Thinks the team that gets out of the Atlantic goes to the SCF. I think NYR should be 6th.

I'm dark horsing the NYI

 

[LeafSteel]

I would be shocked if Knies draws in tonight. It would honestly be very hard to believe, considering the last 48 hours he's had, and that he hasn't had a single practice with them yet.

Definitely interested to see him in our lineup. I do think he needs to be given Top 6 to see what he can handle, but I see him with Tavares and Marner. I think he will benefit from the pace that Tavares plays with to start, and that their styles would mesh together well.

I think Marner is critical to play with them as well, as Marner creates an enormous amount of space for his linemates and the man can pass the puck through a sewing needle. Just an unreal on-ice awareness that I think someone as raw as Knies will be will also give him some room to find himself.

All in all, glad Knies is with us, and looking forward to seeing his Leafs journey begin.

Go Leafs Go!

 

[NJG]

I think they will give him chance to catch his breath and get comfortable with pro life.
I could also be very wrong and he plays tonight,it would certainly make this game more interesting

I really don't know enough about him to predict where he will play in the lineup.
Bunting played on the top line, if he could do it I would think Knies wouldn't look completely out of place.

I agree but do I think he can come in and be better than Bunting and Kerfoot yeah probably. It's only three games I don't see why we wouldn't put him in, and if you're going to put him in then why not start him on the first line... These games are meaningless mine as well see what he's got.

 

[Apex Predator]

Play him in the top 6 to see what he’s got. Would be a waste to play him on the 4th line when they already clinched 2nd.

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

I think the Canes are great regular season team but don’t have the goaltending or the toughness to grind in the playoffs.

That's absurd, the Canes are the grindiest grinding grinders. Their entire game is based around puck retrieval and volume shooting. It's the exact opposite - they're lacking top-end forward (especially with Svechnikov out) & goaltending talent.

 

[Cor]

I would be shocked if Knies draws in tonight. It would honestly be very hard to believe, considering the last 48 hours he's had, and that he hasn't had a single practice with them yet.

Definitely interested to see him in our lineup. I do think he needs to be given Top 6 to see what he can handle, but I see him with Tavares and Marner. I think he will benefit from the pace that Tavares plays with to start, and that their styles would mesh together well.

I think Marner is critical to play with them as well, as Marner creates an enormous amount of space for his linemates and the man can pass the puck through a sewing needle. Just an unreal on-ice awareness that I think someone as raw as Knies will be will also give him some room to find himself.

All in all, glad Knies is with us, and looking forward to seeing his Leafs journey begin.

Go Leafs Go!

There’s no practices left this season. Yesterday was the final practice day.

He’ll be in, because he’s partially being used to help give some guys nights off

 

[ACC1224]

I would be shocked if Knies draws in tonight. It would honestly be very hard to believe, considering the last 48 hours he's had, and that he hasn't had a single practice with them yet.

Definitely interested to see him in our lineup. I do think he needs to be given Top 6 to see what he can handle, but I see him with Tavares and Marner. I think he will benefit from the pace that Tavares plays with to start, and that their styles would mesh together well.

I think Marner is critical to play with them as well, as Marner creates an enormous amount of space for his linemates and the man can pass the puck through a sewing needle. Just an unreal on-ice awareness that I think someone as raw as Knies will be will also give him some room to find himself.

All in all, glad Knies is with us, and looking forward to seeing his Leafs journey begin.

Go Leafs Go!

I doubt there are any practices left until next weekend.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Will we have a backup goalie tonight?

 

[fancy lad]

can we field a pre-season roster for this and all the remaining games?

 

[Leafsforever89]

On the radio this morning Dreger said he would be surprised if Knies played tonight.

Dreger is not a coach. Knies will play tonight.

 

[SHANNYPLAN]

Knies - Matthews - Marner
Tavares - ROR - Nylander
Bunting - Acciari - Kerfoot
AstonReese - Kampf - Lafferty

Start Knies with M&M and have him share some of his ice time with Bunting to ease him in

 

[LeafalCrusader]

can we field a pre-season roster for this and all the remaining games?

No because we have a salary cap unlike the preseason.

 

[Notsince67]

If he's not a #1 LW by the end of tonight then why did we even sign him? I expect a Matthews-like first game from him. Anything less will be a massive disappointment.

I havent seen a proper power forward developed in this system for a long time. I would slot him beside Acciari to train him properly for awhile until his skill. ramps up. This guys upside is size and physicality coupled with skill. Get him on the right foot with physical as a normal state of mind and then he can go play with the ballerinas to work on the skill.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Matthews and Nylander closing in on 40 goals. Marner closing in on 100 points. Let's go!

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Ill be at the game.

Please give us da complete work up on Knies .. how does he work coming back on da forecheck? .. what is his wall game like? .. how does he compete without puck in scrums? .. how is his shot in warmups? .. are you going to Tampa game too? .. i am waiting to hear back from my mom and may jump on a flight tomorrow to tampa as she has duckets for this season for a late easter pregame dinner and a game .. well see if she can handle going without my dad

 

[Larcos_Unal]

My official scouting report says Willie better watch his back cause he's got some serious competition for the team's Man-Rocket

 

[Petrus]

It’s always fun to see Leaf prospects play with the team for the first time.

I have been eagerly waiting for this game not because there are high expectations but because I want to see how Knies’s power forward game (an element we need more of) translates to the NHL and see how he really fits with team.

I say give Knies a try in various situations and see how he responds.

There is nothing to lose other than he gets meaningful experience against the top teams (without the added pressure) and the coaching staff can evaluate him. This an ideal situation for Knies.

I’m hoping Knies can suit up tonight. Fun times before the nervous nail biting games of the playoffs.

 

[Fogelhund]

Just a reminder, this was your opening night lineup.

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Nylander-Tavares-Malgin
Engvall-Kerfoot-Jarnkrok
AstonReese-Kampf-AubeKubel

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Giordano-Sandin

Murray
Samsonov

 

[trellaine201]

Yes because a rookie has never made an impact in the NHL before the age of 23 before. The needlessly pestimistic are tiring. He doesn't need to be a star player for us, just a guy that helps out. See no reason why he can't be that early on.

Exactly. Bozak turned out pretty good.