Official Training Camp Thread

[SprDaVE]

I wonder if it's Kerfoot or Jarnkrok at C here.

If it's Kerfoot then that's a bunch of days in a row now to start where Kerf has been only at C and Jarnkrok only at W.

Kerfoot seems to be playing mostly center in camp, so I assume he'll be the center on paper. But it's never a bad thing to have 2 capable centers on a line.

 

[SprDaVE]

I like Malgin getting a chance on the 2nd line. He's talented enough to play there. I don't think it can be a long term thing but it's worth exploring. Ideally he's on one of the bottom 6 lines in a scoring role. We have the personel to deploy a shutdown and scoring line on the bottom 2 lines.

Now for the negative, it's just pre season lines so means very little but Benn with Rielly is terrible. Won't complain too much because again pre season combos, but Keefe did put Lyb with Rielly and he clearly thought it was good so it's cause for concern.

Malgin will replace Kase in a lot of ways. Maybe not on the PK per say, but in terms of adding speed and zone entries.

 

[zeke]

Kerfoot seems to be playing mostly center in camp, so I assume he'll be the center on paper. But it's never a bad thing to have 2 capable centers on a line.

Kerf being only at C so far would also be a pretty clear indicator that Kampf is going to be more of a 4th line C than a 3rd line C this year.

 

[SprDaVE]

Kerf being only at C so far would also be a pretty clear indicator that Kampf is going to be more of a 4th line C than a 3rd line C this year.

More or less yeah. Kampf will be used a ton on defensive zone starts, whereas I think Kerfoot will be used mostly in offensive zone start faceoffs. That's my prediction anyway.

I would switch ZAR with Engvall when he's healthy, so that Engvall - Kerfoot - Jarnkrok can be a heck of a 3rd line offensively. Then ZAR - Kampf - NAK for the high defensive zone starts.

 

[zeke]

More or less yeah. Kampf will be used a ton on defensive zone starts, whereas I think Kerfoot will be used mostly in offensive zone start faceoffs. That's my prediction anyway.

I would switch ZAR with Engvall when he's healthy, so that Engvall - Kerfoot - Jarnkrok can be a heck of a 3rd line offensively. Then ZAR - Kampf - NAK for the high defensive zone starts.

yeah pretty much.

I've been hoping to see that 4th line all summer but with how much we relied on Kampf last year I really wasn't sure we'd see it..... so with every day that goes by with Kerfoot at C that looks more like the gameplan.

Kerfoot-Jarnkrok is a very nice basis for a 3rd scoring line. I actually think Jarnkrok would be the better C but that's less important as they can be pretty interchangeable there. Engvall makes any line he's on better so yeah he would work there but i wouldn't mind seeing him on the 2nd line either. but there's lots of good candidates for that last middle 6 spot regardless of it's on the 2nd or 3rd line, and i'm not sure i have a strong preference who wins is.....Robertson, Holmberg, Malgin, Steeves, Gaudette, Abruzzese, Anderson....

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

I like zeke's lines:

Bunting --- Matthews --- Marner
Malgin --- Tavares --- Nylander
Engvall --- Kerfoot --- Jarnkrok
ZAR --- Kampf --- NAK

I have Malgin on the 2nd line, but I think they will need to try to hide this line a bit. Engvall would be a much better fit, but he's an achor on that 3rd line which will be taking a lot of faceoffs in their own zone (if Kampf is tired) or on the fly.

To me, this is our best 12 man forward group we've ever had. Not the most individually skilled, but I love mixing in some NAK/ZAR types. Cranking the dial up on the speed and tenacity of the team.

I think Malgin has better vision and hands than Kerfoot and could set up JT and Willy with much cleaner opportunities.

 

[Apex Predator]

Kerf being only at C so far would also be a pretty clear indicator that Kampf is going to be more of a 4th line C than a 3rd line C this year.

I do like that better having Kamp on the 4th line as a shutdown line. Gives the 4th line a purpose and doesn’t feel like we have to always line match to protect it.

 

[TheDoldrums]

I like zeke's lines:

Bunting --- Matthews --- Marner
Malgin --- Tavares --- Nylander
Engvall --- Kerfoot --- Jarnkrok
ZAR --- Kampf --- NAK

I have Malgin on the 2nd line, but I think they will need to try to hide this line a bit. Engvall would be a much better fit, but he's an achor on that 3rd line which will be taking a lot of faceoffs in their own zone (if Kampf is tired) or on the fly.

To me, this is our best 12 man forward group we've ever had. Not the most individually skilled, but I love mixing in some NAK/ZAR types. Cranking the dial up on the speed and tenacity of the team.

I think Malgin has better vision and hands than Kerfoot and could set up JT and Willy with much cleaner opportunities.

I wonder how the TOI of the top 6, especially the 2nd line, might drop with this configuration. Because that Kampf line would probably play a lot more than any 4th line we've had.

 

[The Masters]

Kerf being only at C so far would also be a pretty clear indicator that Kampf is going to be more of a 4th line C than a 3rd line C this year.

which is great news. added depth down the middle. Our bottom 6 HAS to be much improved this season.

 

[Stephen]

Hutchinson starting for VGK tonight.

I could see VGK being in a world of hurt and needing a goalie next offseason.

 

[zeke]

I have Malgin on the 2nd line, but I think they will need to try to hide this line a bit. Engvall would be a much better fit, but he's an achor on that 3rd line which will be taking a lot of faceoffs in their own zone (if Kampf is tired) or on the fly.

i think the best idea for that kerf-jarnkrok line would be to use them in ozone draws mainly, or at least non-dzone draws. they'd be getting the softer usage that spezza/simmonds got last year, though of course in a bigger role than that.

The Kampf and Matthews lines would be getting all the dzone draws i think.

 

[Martin Skoula]

i think the best idea for that kerf-jarnkrok line would be to use them in ozone draws mainly, or at least non-dzone draws. they'd be getting the softer usage that spezza/simmonds got last year, though of course in a bigger role than that.

The Kampf and Matthews lines would be getting all the dzone draws i think.

All 3 have breakaway speed, if they can win draws that's a good line to give D-zone match ups against tired offensive units.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

I like zeke's lines:

Bunting --- Matthews --- Marner
Malgin --- Tavares --- Nylander
Engvall --- Kerfoot --- Jarnkrok
ZAR --- Kampf --- NAK

I like them too, good depth.

That being said, it makes too much sense to trade Kerfoot, slide Kampf up into the 3C roll and let one of the kids (Steeves? Anderson? Douglas? etc) take a 4th line roll.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

I like them too, good depth.

That being said, it makes too much sense to trade Kerfoot, slide Kampf up into the 3C roll and let one of the kids (Steeves? Anderson? Douglas? etc) take a 4th line roll.

I kind of like having him on the 3rd line to create. Kampf is better than a 4th liner, sure, but he seems to be someone who goes out there and works hard wherever he's placed.

 

[zeke]

I wonder how the TOI of the top 6, especially the 2nd line, might drop with this configuration. Because that Kampf line would probably play a lot more than any 4th line we've had.

it's a good question.

even strength TOI last year:

Matthews 17:27
Marner 15:46
Tavares 15:03
Nylander 14:56

Bunting 14:14
Kerfoot 13:22
Mikheyev 12:46
Kampf 12:42

Kase 11:50
Engvall 11:42
Spezza 9:10
Simmonds 9:06

When I look at it actually I think Kampf probably loses the most TOI, though it wouldn't be a huge drop. While ZAR and NAK will play very different types of minutes than Spezza and Simmonds, I'm not sure they'll play a ton more. if they do maybe it's a minute more into the 10mpg range at evens.

Give Mikheyev's time to Jarnkrok, Kase' time to the last winger that makes it, and maybe swap engvall and Kampf's TOI.

 

[horner]

From the 2 games last weekend

Malgrin has chemistry with Nylander

Holmberg was bigger than I was expecting got involved in the play

McMann 200 ft game is good and has a scoring touch

Robertson stronger but needs to find away to get his shot of quicker

Gaudette not much

Anderson not noticeable

 

[Nineteen67]

The value is fine but it makes for a tricky roster scenario.

Moving Holl for picks would get us under the cap, but not enough for us to carry anyone over the 20 man minimum.

Unless there’s no other option I don’t like moving Holl. However, if they did move him it would indicate they have confidence in a Marlie.

 

[zeke]

If there’s no other option I don’t like moving Holl. However, if they did move him it would indicate they have confidence in a Marlie.

when you're up against the cap it's hard to justify $2m caphit on a guy who's in the pressbox when the team is healthy. would be great to have the luxury of a #7D that good but I don't see how we manage that.

Mete - Benn
Kral - Dahlstrom
Kokkonen - Villeneuv

is a pretty nice group of depth to have i think - a bunch of nhl experience combined with some real nhl upside, and some nice contrasts in style. I'm not sure you can do much better than that in terms of having depth in the AHL unless you're a team with a top prospect in the AHL.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

if so sure lets go.

Good lord I want the season to start already.

 

[HockeyVirus]

The value is fine but it makes for a tricky roster scenario.

Moving Holl for picks would get us under the cap, but not enough for us to carry anyone over the 20 man minimum.

I mean, I think the Leafs are expecting to have LTIR room. Muzzin can't stay healthy and will spend more time on LTIR than off. Between Muzzin, Murray, and random injuries we likely always have some wiggle room. Worst case we play a short roster a few games

 

[Fogelhund]

""

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[zeke]

I mean, I think the Leafs are expecting to have LTIR room. Muzzin can't stay healthy and will spend more time on LTIR than off. Between Muzzin, Murray, and random injuries we likely always have some wiggle room. Worst case we play a short roster a few games

LTIR's not that easy to manipulate. the injury has to be real and longterm.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I don't see Gaudette or Malgin sticking with this team for anything more than quick skate .. we already have too many guys who play lite .. if either sticks team is in some trouble upfront

 

[HockeyVirus]

LTIR's not that easy to manipulate. the injury has to be real and longterm.

I agree but Muzzin is basically cooked. I would be surprised if he played beyond this season and really surprised if he was healthy enough to start playoff games for us.

 

[The Masters]

ngl sick of seeing jake muzzin and this injury news. same old story with that guy