Official New Year Training Camp thread

[fahad203]

it’s about time. This will actually keep other teams defence on their toes. This is a great opportunity to capitalize on his skills set and give him more valuable ice time.

 

[Papi 4 Hart]

it’s about time. This will actually keep other teams defence on their toes. This is a great opportunity to capitalize on his skills set and give him more valuable ice time.

He also can... WIN A FACE OFF... atleast have Matthews and Tavares on for the draw.

 

[MSZ]

Leafs/Sens have just been approved by the provincial government to play their home games here.

Ontario gives Maple Leafs, Senators green light to host games

 

[Mickey Marner]

Good, we've needed a natural center there for some time.

 

[therealkoho]

That's what being a fan is all about. The ability to get excited every year, or at least all the years not specifically tied to a rebuild. I get that after all these years, certain fans can't, and if that's the case, maybe time for a new hobby. It's the new changes and the excitement of a new challenge/journey that makes being a fan wonderful. I feel for the fans who can't feel that year after year, even with the letdowns.

of course it is, I've never given up on them, not even when Johnny Mitchell was put into the number 1 spot because there wasn't anybody else to do the job

I've seen 4 cups, I clearly remember the exhilaration of it it'll be even crazier now

 

[ACC1224]

Guessing the part time means if they’re losing in the 3rd.

 

[Fogelhund]

I’m not sure where to put this. Confirmation today that we get to play at home, but no fans

 

[EXTRAS]

Does barabanov make the team?

 

[Buds17]

Does barabanov make the team?

I'd say so. The line combos further suggest that. To sign a player of his age and contract status indicates a starting spot should be his to lose.

 

[Menzinger]

Does barabanov make the team?

Probably. I think hes looked good.

Also he turned down other offers to sign here: he's getting shot at the lineup early on for sure.

 

[Menzinger]

I feel like Matthews goal totals drown out how good he was defensively as well.

For example trying to explain to people how much better defensively Matthews is than Draisaitl is extremely difficult to get through.

There's definitely an unfortunate stigma against good offensive players. The default position by too many is theyre poor defensively regardless of how they play

 

[Notsince67]

With the additions made this off season, the Leafs have plenty to work with in their forward lines and PP units.

PP#1 - Matthews, Marner, Reilly, Simmonds, Thornton
PP#2- Tavares, Nylander, Hyman, Spezza, Lethonen

Where I think things need to be juggled are from the lines that have been released already. Jumbo wont be able to keep up with Marner and Matthews. And as much as hes stated that he will shoot more, Marner will not. The lines should be as follows if Jumbo is to play LW.

Hyman-Matthews-Nylander (Reunite the line, it worked)
Vesey-Tavares-Marner (Reunite Marner and Tavares)
Thornton-Kerfoot-Micheyev
Simmonds-Engvall-Spezza

Barabonov has to earn a spot to displace Engvall. In playoffs Engvall played well with Spezza and adding size with Simmonds will make that line a tough one to play with. Making the first 2 lines what I have put us back to having two lines that can have 40+ goal scorers on it. Tavares missed Marner, and Matthews has proven he can play with either Marner or Nylander and succeed. By no means putting Hyman on 3rd line is a good idea. He along with Vesey and Micheyev are the grit we need in the top 3 lines and he has succeeded next to Matthews before Tavares arrived.

No offense but that looks awful

 

[Notsince67]

Now that we're expiermenting with lines, and within the Keefe scope of things, I'd love to see:

Thornton-Matthews-Nylander
Vesey-Tavares-Marner
Hyman-Kerfoot-Mikheyev
Engvall-Spezza-Simmonds


That's probably the most balanced forward lines I can come up with.

Not sure what everyone sees in vesey. I just figured he was an experiment that will likely wash out.

 

[Buds17]

Not sure what everyone sees in vesey. I just figured he was an experiment that will likely wash out.

I think he can be a decent signing. Just not that thrilled about bumping both Hyman and Mikheyev down in the process.

 

[Notsince67]

I think he can be a decent signing. Just not that thrilled about bumping both Hyman and Mikheyev down in the process.

I get it but it is a really strong third line.

 

[Notsince67]

Habs fans so excited to lose on January 13th that they've already made a pre-game thread about it. 6 days before the game. 6ix!

There is a poll

 

[Buds17]

I get it but it is a really strong third line.

I have no doubts about that. For a few reasons, line combos are going to be a work in progress at times anyway.

 

[LeafsNation75]

 

[LeafsNation75]

 

[SHANNYPLAN]

PP1:
Thornton
Marner - Hyman - Matthews
Rielly

PP2:
Simmonds
Nylander - Tavares - Matthews/Vesey
Lehtonen

 

[Twine Tickler]

Not sure what everyone sees in vesey. I just figured he was an experiment that will likely wash out.

I think the Beauty thing about this lineup, and our current roster depth is that we can easily flex in players from the taxi squad to any slot in the lineup, without disrupting any of the other lines. provided of course that those other lines are working. This is just my gut feel, but I really think Sheldon is going to try and maintain that 3rd line. it is going to be an extremely important line for us. Especially in closing out games. With that said, there is no reason to believe Nick Robertson couldn't thrive alongside JT & Willy. And on a bit of a further stretch, I wouldn't be shocked to see Joey Anderson fill in. whether that means putting Wayne up the lineup and slotting joey on the 4th, or literally just plug n playing Joey in place of Jimmy. Either way, I just think that 3rd line is going to eat a lot of minutes for us this year. And it was my interpretation that this was largely the reason why Sheldon opened camp with the lines he did. Said he wanted to try that line all year last year, but didn't think he had the depth to do so.

 

[jiggy35]

It sounds like Lehtonen is impressing so far and has the PP2 QB locked down... I feel like he should get full top-4 opportunity next to Muzzin until he falters. Then let the rest of the guys battle it out for the bottom-2 spots throughout the season...

Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Lehtonen
Sandin/Dermott - Holl/Bogosian

 

[stickty111]

 

[Twine Tickler]

It sounds like Lehtonen is impressing so far and has the PP2 QB locked down... I feel like he should get full top-4 opportunity next to Muzzin until he falters. Then let the rest of the guys battle it out for the bottom-2 spots throughout the season...

Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Lehtonen
Sandin/Dermott - Holl/Bogosian

Lehtonen is a huge wild card for us. I think I am most excited to see him play. If he plays to his potential, we could have 4 legitimate (above average) top 4 defensemen. It will not mean anything until the team as a whole play more defensively, but this is the most encouraged I have been in our defensive core in a VERY VERY long time . Here's to hoping

 

[zeke]

It sounds like Lehtonen is impressing so far and has the PP2 QB locked down... I feel like he should get full top-4 opportunity next to Muzzin until he falters. Then let the rest of the guys battle it out for the bottom-2 spots throughout the season...

Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Lehtonen
Sandin/Dermott - Holl/Bogosian

I am a huge fan of what Holl did last year, and think that Muzzin-Holl pairing was nothing less than awesome.

That being said, if Lehtonen can look anywhere near as good in the NHL as he does in the KHL, then that's a guy we want getting big minutes, so I'd have no problem bouncing Holl down to the bottom pair - IF Lehtonen earns it.

Though tbh, I'd almost be more inclined to put Lehtonen with Rielly, and put Brodie with Muzzin to give us one very reliable match-up defensive pair (that also has nice mobility and puckskills too).