Official Training Camp Thread

[SmoggyTwinkles]

So Muzzin is out for the start of camp.

Man....this dude is a real wild card this year.

I think he's on the verge of broken. Sucks because I really like Muzzin.

I'm tired on hating on players on the Leafs. I pretty much like everyone on the team and just hope for the best for every player, but of course the team as a whole is more important.

Super excited to watch some Leafs hockey very soon! My only expectation is playoffs, and even that is not a guarantee (it's not for any team, things can go wrong)

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

TRAIKOS trying to take over from Simmons:​

Could the Maple Leafs actually miss the playoffs this year?​

MSN

I don't pay any attention to Toronto sports media anymore. Never put on sports radio, don't read any articles or anything.

It's better that way.

Imagine Simmons or this guy as a weather person....because they're wrong enough most of the time.

"imagine if we get 50 feet of solid ice storm on Boxing Day"

that's basically what these guys are putting out there. it's useless stuff to even contemplate.

 

[uncleben]

3 regulars hurt before we even drop a preseason puck, that’s odd.

It's a little higher for regulars, but not too egregious (and not any different when including non-regulars)

This year we have Engvall, Liljegren, Muzzin (plus Mikhail Abramov, Joe Woll - invite Keith Petruzzelli may be injured too)

Last year we had Matthews out before preseason (plus Alex Steeves, Ian Scott, Joe Woll)
2020 was the COVID taxi season and thankfully everyone was ready (or they weren't listed as otherwise, with everything else going on)
2019 Hyman and Dermott were injured (plus David Clarkson, Nathan Horton, Garrett Wilson, Joe Woll)
2018 no regulars, but Mason Marchment and Filip Kral were injured (and invites Josh Kestner and Derian Plouffe, plus the aforementioned Horton)

Other teams across the League this year are hit even harder, too. @NetflixandPhil has a great list HERE

Thankfully and hopefully Muzzin and Engvall may potentially both be ready for the season opener

 

[Nineteen67]

3 regulars hurt before we even drop a preseason puck, that’s odd.

at least it’s not like boston….

 

[Burnie97]

 

[Burnie97]

I don't know about Gaudette being that guy but I'm all for some young guys finally be giving an opportunity.

I feel like sometimes Leafs look for a trade to fill a gap but I think there is some interesting prospects or younger ahl/nhl tweeners that need a few games to see what they can do.

They're not sexy names but Malgin, Robertson, Steeves, Gaudette... even Douglas. They should be guys that are gunning to carve out a name for themselves in the lineup.

There's a few other younger guys but they're more likely a year or two off.

 

[dubplatepressure]

I don't know about Gaudette being that guy but I'm all for some young guys finally be giving an opportunity.

I feel like sometimes Leafs look for a trade to fill a gap but I think there is some interesting prospects or younger ahl/nhl tweeners that need a few games to see what they can do.

They're not sexy names but Malgin, Robertson, Steeves, Gaudette... even Douglas. They should be guys that are gunning to carve out a name for themselves in the lineup.

There's a few other younger guys but they're more likely a year or two off.

Yeah I have no confidence in Malgin being anything more than he was, nor do I really with Anderson, Steeves, or Douglas. Robertson is the only guy who can command that spot and 'pop' out of camp IMO. I would have guessed perhaps Engvall but not anymore. Maybe Aube-Kubel. Maybe ZAR.

 

[zeke]

I don't know about Gaudette being that guy but I'm all for some young guys finally be giving an opportunity.

I feel like sometimes Leafs look for a trade to fill a gap but I think there is some interesting prospects or younger ahl/nhl tweeners that need a few games to see what they can do.

They're not sexy names but Malgin, Robertson, Steeves, Gaudette... even Douglas. They should be guys that are gunning to carve out a name for themselves in the lineup.

There's a few other younger guys but they're more likely a year or two off.

Gaudette they're just seeing if his past couple years were just health related. He was a pretty exciting prospect coming out of college and was pretty dynamic his first full season in the NHL before the health issues cropped up, and then by the end of last year and especially into the world championships he started to look good again, and it apparently coincides with him finally figuring out the health issues.

I'm not betting on it but its worth a look.

But the Leafs only need one guy to pop...and he doesn't need to pop like Bunting popped. They just need one more guy to give them decent middle six production out of Robertson, Gaudette, Holmberg, Steeves, Anderson, Abruzzese, Malgin.

 

[The Iceman]

Did reading this article piss anybody else off? The stretch of negativity you have to make to even possibly having us miss the playoffs is mind-blowing. Mentions all the things that could go wrong with our roster, and everything going right with every other team. Of course we could miss the playoffs, but it could also snow tomorrow in downtown Toronto. Not very likely. Stupid article.

My FAV Triakos was a tweet of his last summer.

After Chicago traded for Seth Jones and Fleury and Tyler Johnston he declared Chicago as winning the offseason and being a contender.

 

[Apex Predator]

I don't know about Gaudette being that guy but I'm all for some young guys finally be giving an opportunity.

I feel like sometimes Leafs look for a trade to fill a gap but I think there is some interesting prospects or younger ahl/nhl tweeners that need a few games to see what they can do.

They're not sexy names but Malgin, Robertson, Steeves, Gaudette... even Douglas. They should be guys that are gunning to carve out a name for themselves in the lineup.

There's a few other younger guys but they're more likely a year or two off.

I hope they give Robertson a little run with Tavares and see if he can pop.

 

[justashadowof]

If you're too young to have experienced it, get used to more "negative" reporting and commentary this season even if the team is comfortably in a playoff position. There's a scent of blood in the water from the Leafs' front office and the media can get a ton of attention exploiting the situation. And don't be shocked when a few of the so-called "shills" for Dubas do a full heel turn once their conduit of information from within the Leafs' front office dries up.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

I hope they give Robertson a little run with Tavares and see if he can pop.

I am kind of hoping we see Robertson line up with a couple of defensive studs and add some scoring pop to the 3rd line. Not sure he has the tenacity we need on that 2nd line. JT-Willy would really benefit from a workhorse who gets back.

If you're too young to have experienced it, get used to more "negative" reporting and commentary this season even if the team is comfortably in a playoff position. There's a scent of blood in the water from the Leafs' front office and the media can get a ton of attention exploiting the situation. And don't be shocked when a few of the so-called "shills" for Dubas do a full heel turn once their conduit of information from within the Leafs' front office dries up.

I can just see it - the vitriol will flow, but then we will have post season success and the praise will go waaaay overboard "We all knew Kyle was special, a different breed of GM, etc". The lack of balanced takes will be deafening.

 

[zeke]

If you're too young to have experienced it, get used to more "negative" reporting and commentary this season even if the team is comfortably in a playoff position. There's a scent of blood in the water from the Leafs' front office and the media can get a ton of attention exploiting the situation. And don't be shocked when a few of the so-called "shills" for Dubas do a full heel turn once their conduit of information from within the Leafs' front office dries up.

How is this different from every year ever?

 

[JT AM da real deal]

which lack of talent are you referring to?

My point was keefer started off camp with 3 lines last year and he supposedly is gonna do same thing this year with Matty, Mitch and Willy with their own lines .. but once pre season got going he went back to a 2 line team with a speed 3rd line and a tough 4th line .. I expect exactly da same end result this year

 

[zeke]

My point was keefer started off camp with 3 lines last year and he supposedly is gonna do same thing this year with Matty, Mitch and Willy with their own lines .. but once pre season got going he went back to a 2 line team with a speed 3rd line and a tough 4th line .. I expect exactly da same end result this year

Pretty sure Kerfoot-Kampf-Kase was the 3rd line from the start of camp last year.

 

[Mess]

My point was keefer started off camp with 3 lines last year and he supposedly is gonna do same thing this year with Matty, Mitch and Willy with their own lines .. but once pre season got going he went back to a 2 line team with a speed 3rd line and a tough 4th line .. I expect exactly da same end result this year

I believe the 3 X $11 mil players should all be on their own lines, and able to carry them successfully as that is why you pay them that money.

Nylander should give support to the line that needs it most and create a strong top 9. Splitting the 3 Amigos across 3 lines in the next best option to obtain balanced scoring with a cap heavy forward spending.

 

[Dekes For Days]

I believe the 3 X $11 mil players should all be on their own lines, and able to carry them successfully as that is why you pay them that money.

11m players are not paid that money to play on the 3rd line.

 

[Burnie97]

Gaudette they're just seeing if his past couple years were just health related. He was a pretty exciting prospect coming out of college and was pretty dynamic his first full season in the NHL before the health issues cropped up, and then by the end of last year and especially into the world championships he started to look good again, and it apparently coincides with him finally figuring out the health issues.

I'm not betting on it but its worth a look.

But the Leafs only need one guy to pop...and he doesn't need to pop like Bunting popped. They just need one more guy to give them decent middle six production out of Robertson, Gaudette, Holmberg, Steeves, Anderson, Abruzzese, Malgin.

Agreed. Good post. That's where I'm at with those types of guys. We're going to score no matter what but with one of those guys going it'll give more options to figure out the 3rd and 4th lines. You added a few guys I didn't mention either but definitely also have an outside shot at making it.

 

[uncleben]

11m players are not paid that money to play on the 3rd line.

Third line only needs to be that by name

 

[Dekes For Days]

Third line only needs to be that by name

There are only so many minutes to go around. You want your 11m players (and especially two of the best players in the entire league) playing significant minutes.

 

[Burnie97]

Yeah I have no confidence in Malgin being anything more than he was, nor do I really with Anderson, Steeves, or Douglas. Robertson is the only guy who can command that spot and 'pop' out of camp IMO. I would have guessed perhaps Engvall but not anymore. Maybe Aube-Kubel. Maybe ZAR.

I'm not as big on Anderson as some but of course if he pans out that'd be a bonus. Interested to see if Douglas can keep up at the NHL level. He could be a wrecking ball. Steeves may get a good shot. Malgin will get looks too. Most of all I'm really hoping for Robertson. He has the talent.

 

[The Masters]

Keefe hoping Gaudette brings same production as Bunting did. He can't do that playing on the 4th line.

If Robertson doesnt take over that 2nd line slot, look for Gaudette to get a chance

 

[Mess]

Third line only needs to be that by name

Correct naming convention irrelevant.

Auston's line 7 JT's lines and Marner's line. On any given night the one with the hot hand earns the extra TOI/g, but generally balanced and spread across 3 lines at 5v5 play per period/game.

You build a strong and balanced top 9 and then you create mismatches and make it difficult for the opposition.

Playing Matthews and Marner together plays right into opposition hand as deploying a good shutdown C and D pairing and goalie and you get a 2-1 deal come playoff time and they force Leafs depth players to try and save the day when the top line is held in check.

 

[All Mod Cons]

I believe the 3 X $11 mil players should all be on their own lines, and able to carry them successfully as that is why you pay them that money.

Nylander should give support to the line that needs it most and create a strong top 9. Splitting the 3 Amigos across 3 lines in the next best option to obtain balanced scoring with a cap heavy forward spending.

11m players are not paid that money to carry a line by themselves

 

[ULF_55]

11m players are not paid that money to play on the 3rd line.

Go with 11 forwards.

3 forward lines and 2 specialists.

Ice time not line number is key.