Official New Year Training Camp thread

[Wafflewhipper]

Agreed nothing should be guaranteed with the roster but Dermott should slot in ahead of Holl though.

Keefe is saying compete and be ready because if he is not getting what he wants and expects, someone else is getting it. These guys are going to improve their standards or they won’t play. Thats the right out there way Keefe is telling these guys. Nothing is guaranteed if they slack. Keefe isn’t playing.
Dermott/Sandin are 7 and 8 right now.The ones ahead of them better know they are sniffing at their heels for the job. If they don’t compete/ play hard enough they’ll be out quick. Its pretty clear in the tone you’ll catch in this article of question answer format. https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2021/01/04/sheldon-keefe-on-toronto-maple-leafs-blue-line/

 

[Cor]

For some reason every analyst has come to the conclusion that Suzuki and Kotkaniemi are guaranteed NHL superstars this year. I get the Suzuki love, I expect him to have a big year but Kotkaniemi? I'm not sure he's even a good 4th liner.

The Habs overhyping their centers?

That never happens!

 

[JT AM da real deal]

g

Keefe is saying compete and be ready because if he is not getting what he wants and expects, someone else is getting it. These guys are going to improve their standards or they won’t play. Thats the right out there way Keefe is telling these guys. Nothing is guaranteed if they slack. Keefe isn’t playing.
Dermott/Sandin are 7 and 8 right now.The ones ahead of them better know they are sniffing at their heels for the job. If they don’t compete/ play hard enough they’ll be out quick. Its pretty clear in the tone you’ll catch in this article of question answer format. https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2021/01/04/sheldon-keefe-on-toronto-maple-leafs-blue-line/

Holl is not better then either Dermy or even sandin ... it is not about who is better or worse right now ... it is promises made and contracts .. and until we see Lehtonen who knows what we are getting ... he may be a pure PP only 7th guy ... Bogo could suck eggs in this camp and he is slotting into 5th or 6th hole on opening night guaranteed

 

[The90]

g
Holl is not better then either Dermy or even sandin ... it is not about who is better or worse right now ... it is promises made and contracts .. and until we see Lehtonen who knows what we are getting ... he may be a pure PP only 7th guy ... Bogo could suck eggs in this camp and he is slotting into 5th or 6th hole on opening night guaranteed

Here’s hoping he’s a 4/5 guy. If he can play as a 4 or 5 d. The leafs have a very serviceable d core. A little bit of defensive responsibility from the forwards and the boys are in good shape

 

[Wafflewhipper]

g
Holl is not better then either Dermy or even sandin ... it is not about who is better or worse right now ... it is promises made and contracts .. and until we see Lehtonen who knows what we are getting ... he may be a pure PP only 7th guy ... Bogo could suck eggs in this camp and he is slotting into 5th or 6th hole on opening night guaranteed

We need everyone knowing they will be needed and when we need them they need to be ready to go. I think the players are having fun within the group/team. I was hoping to hear that. Everything just flows better when there is fun in doing it. I want all our defense to feel needed and to play great. If a player has something lacking it’s going to be communicated. I like that. Nobody has to be treated with baby gloves on in the world. It can all be discussed and even argued or even sniped at a bit to get on the same page. I hope Holl starts throwing the body around more, he needs to. Engvall was told he has to throw the body around. Thats Keefe telling him how to best keep his Nhl career intact. Maybe Keefe being around earlier and being upfront would have saved Gauthier playing to soft for to long. I like Goat gut he needs to start banging around more or he won’t be in the league much longer. Everyone on the defense will be needed, i hope they are all better

 

[JT AM da real deal]

We need everyone knowing they will be needed and when we need them they need to be ready to go. I think the players are having fun within the group/team. I was hoping to hear that. Everything just flows better when there is fun in doing it. I want all our defense to feel needed and to play great. If a player has something lacking it’s going to be communicated. I like that. Nobody has to be treated with baby gloves on in the world. It can all be discussed and even argued or even sniped at a bit to get on the same page. I hope Holl starts throwing the body around more, he needs to. Engvall was told he has to throw the body around. Thats Keefe telling him how to best keep his Nhl career intact. Maybe Keefe being around earlier and being upfront would have saved Gauthier playing to soft for to long. I like Goat gut he needs to start banging around more or he won’t be in the league much longer. Everyone on the defense will be needed, i hope they are all better

I hope so but Holl can take a mean hit and I mean I have seen him get railroaded with Marlies but he gets back up and keeps ticking ... but I have never seen him throw a big hit ever and I go to most Marlie home games as a season ticket holder ... but he is not scared of anyone ... he really only has size and everything else is decent but not really good ... i really like him as a #7 on a quality NHL defense but he is playing over his punching weight in a top 4

 

[Stephen]

I like the hard line stance the organization is taking on Travis Dermott. Sure he’s a high pick from the rebuild years but he’s not really done anything to entrench himself as an indispensable NHL defenseman or really part of the young gun core. Hopefully that sub ELC Max contract value and 7th defenseman designation will scare him into developing a lot more urgency to establish himself.

 

[Northofyu]

Here are some as a matter of fact quotes from Keefer. He’s not pulling any punches and this stuff is straight up. It gives a good look in to what expectations are for this group. Lots of good information to get a degree of direction. They are seeing the same stuff we have all been discussing for quite a bit.
Good read. https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2021/01/04/sheldon-keefe-on-toronto-maple-leafs-blue-line/

Yeah, it was - thanks!

Like most here, I'm liking this team's depth - especially on D!

 

[Twine Tickler]

I think Vancouver is at big risk of a major step back, people really aren't appreciating just how good Markstrom has been for them the last few years.

Holtby struggled behind a team that gave up far fewer chances last year. For Demko the 3 great playoff games are nice but he's till very unproven and his 27 game regular season wasn't anything to be excited about (3.06 GAA and .905 sv%)

I agree, I have watched a fair amount of vancouver games the last couple years being that I live in the city. Markstrom was an absolute rock. In my mind, had he not got injured he shold have seriously been considered for vezina. the level of goaltending he displayed, allowed the team to play the way they did. and to a lesser degree, losing chris tanev will also be a massive loss. he's been an undisputed top pairing D-man here in Van for a handful of years now. He is extremely underrated by most fanbases. i understand the schmidt addition may be viewed as a wash for some. but they are 2 very different players. Tanev is just solid in every aspect. i am not sure i would classify schmidt that way. 2 major losses. add toffoli on there, who provided a major secondary scoring piece that had been lacking all year for them. it will be very interesting.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Yeah, it was - thanks!

Like most here, I'm liking this team's depth - especially on D!

You are welcome. Keefer is setting the bar higher so good stuff for sure

 

[Apex Predator]

I look at it as Holl, Lehtonen and Bogosian you will get first crack but if you start slipping up or struggling Dermott and Sandin are waiting in the wings to step in. I hope Liljegren also is in that conversation for our sake.

the same applies to the 3 looking in. If you don’t compete or show it when you get the chance don’t expect to keep playing.

 

[Stephen]

I look at it as Holl, Lehtonen and Bogosian you will get first crack but if you start slipping up or struggling Dermott and Sandin are waiting in the wings to step in. I hope Liljegren also is in that conversation for our sake.

the same applies to the 3 looking in. If you don’t compete or show it when you get the chance don’t expect to keep playing.

I also want to see Sandin or Liljegren take a giant unexpected step this season like Kaberle did at the 1998 training camp.

 

[Twine Tickler]

I think having Sandin, dermott, Liljegren on the outside looking in is the best for the team. Make them earn it. they are all highly capable of doing so, I just feel like they have played for the leafs through necessity thus far. either by way of injury or lack of depth. I mean sandin was thrust into a major role when muzzin and reilly went down last year. Way too much for a young defenseman to handle. They will get their oppourtunites to play this season given the amount of BTB and pending injuries. And when they get their shots, hopefully they step up. I think for young players, its easier to play when you are the guy gunning for the job vs. the guy trying to hold on to it.

 

[Coachcorner]

Is they been twerkin on those powerplay situations and rotations yet sire?

If no so, when?

 

[Advanced stats]

Where's all the people with moustache and line updates!?! I need info!

 

[Wafflewhipper]

We have video Thornton, Simmonds and new Maple Leafs hit the ice with their teammates - Sportsnet.ca

 

[LeafChief]

Is they been twerkin on those powerplay situations and rotations yet sire?

If no so, when?

God bless you.

 

[LeafChief]

 

[LeafChief]

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Something tells me we are going to hear the word compete about a million times this season

 

[Twine Tickler]

I feel like Mikko Lehtonon has to be on the opening night roster. Part of what has made us so successful in attracting big name European UFA's has been about giving them the opportunity. michyaev, zaitzev, ozhiganov, par lindholm are some names that come to mind. of course you have the kivihalme, and the calle rosen, andreas borgman examples as well. but i think we can confidently say mikko lehtonen has been the biggest euro free agent to date. not just because of his hot start this year. but his whole resume. I think if he is not given every chance to show his worth in the NHL, it is a major black eye on the leafs going forward. attracting euro free agents has been a huge strength for the leafs. It has helped us acquire PRO level talent on entry level money. massively important for a team that is consistanlty up against the cap

 

[Lightsol]

The Habs overhyping their centers?

That never happens!

Hey, anyone remember when this site insisted Montreal had 6 or 7 potential franchise players coming, led by Andrei Kostitsyn and f***ing Chris Higgins?

 

[Leafs87]

Something tells me we are going to hear the word compete about a million times this season

More interested in seeing it on the ice than hearing it on Twitter. It’s been lacking the last few years

 

[Suntouchable13]

Something tells me we are going to hear the word compete about a million times this season

It has been a problem, and I am glad the coaching staff is taking this seriously. The skill is obviously there.

 

[Stigma]

Getting this gut feeling that we have the right combo of players this year. Even the interviews seem different than the last few years. In a positive way.