Official Training Camp Thread

[SeaOfBlue]

A quiet 3 assists for Giordano on Saturday and an apparent pairing with old partner Brodie, the pair seems to be an option to be the 2nd pairing to start the season with the injuries and holdouts currently plaguing the Leafs. How long can Giordano put up top 4 minutes? Does he get switched back with Holl when Muzzin returns? Benn paired with Rielly isn’t going to scare Sandin into signing. Is our defense a mess or will we be OK? I know it’s only preseason but I hope I’m not asking these questions in 2 weeks.

Benn with Rielly is concerning. Benn is not good enough to play that high in the lineup.

I like that they are trying Dahlstrom with Mete though.

 

[Stephen]

Benn with Rielly is concerning. Benn is not good enough to play that high in the lineup.

I like that they are trying Dahlstrom with Mete though.

Wonder if it’s too late to see if PK Subban wants to be a Leaf?

 

[JT AM da real deal]

He looks uncomfortable in the couple of seconds of that video.

OMG he looks like his 1st time on ice all summer long .. no way he starts season .. this is what I expected though a few years ago .. good news Benn looks good to take his role to start season

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Benn with Rielly is concerning. Benn is not good enough to play that high in the lineup.

I like that they are trying Dahlstrom with Mete though.

I don't disagree, but in pre-season he could probably pass. As for the season? Chances are this will never happen.

 

[Stephen]

Benn didn’t look abnormally sub NHL in my briefly noticing him on the weekend. Made a clean outlet pass and was surprisingly mobile. Not a vote of confidence but maybe an okay stop gap.

 

[A1LeafNation]

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

Possibly 3 scary scoring lines.

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

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Possibly 3 scary scoring lines.

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

Won't ever work you can't have 3 totally offensive guys on a line 2 who don't play any defense whatsoever .. this is pro hockey you need at least 1 2 way player

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

Possibly 3 scary scoring lines.

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

I actually really like that but I still think Kerfoot gets traded for the cap flexibility and would love to see Holmberg in his spot on the 3rd line

 

[SeaOfBlue]

OMG he looks like his 1st time on ice all summer long .. no way he starts season .. this is what I expected though a few years ago .. good news Benn looks good to take his role to start season

If Benn is taking over Muzzin's role to start the season, we have problems.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

If Benn is taking over Muzzin's role to start the season, we have problems.

I am guessing Muzzy is 4 to 6 weeks away from playing and then another month to get back to speed .. can't put him in when he is not ready or another concussion will occur

 

[Fogelhund]

I am guessing Muzzy is 4 to 6 weeks away from playing and then another month to get back to speed .. can't put him in when he is not ready or another concussion will occur

That would solve the cap issues at least temporarily. Hopefully Muzzin is ok though.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

That would solve the cap issues at least temporarily. Hopefully Muzzin is ok though.

I hope so too .. I hate to say it but fatherhood and past couple summers have been rough on Muzzy .. maybe he needs to retire da sticks next summer .. he can't be coming into camps as an older guy hurt all da time .. take up running or something else that can't f'up his knees or back

 

[definedMF]

That would solve the cap issues at least temporarily. Hopefully Muzzin is ok though.

But like this is the issue and why I didn't see any rationale in keeping muzz into this season. He is injury plagued and has been, seems to become discomforted a lot quicker now and is essentially blocking a path for further defensive growth for players like Sandin and ofc also hems up on a $5million dollar cap hit, which we could have used for other additions.

As others mentioned without Sandin signed, Lily injured and Muzzin suspect to even play in the pre-season we have Mete and Benn slotting in and thats NOT ideal for a team that already needed to get better defensively this year.

Some is self inflicted, while some is just unlucky.

 

[notbias]

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

I honestly think we should skip signing ZAR or have him as a placeholder for Engvall right now.

Tavares works well with grinding types, those are two players who play simple hockey and hustle.

1st/3rd line can get heavy O zone starts.
2nd/4th line can get heavy D zone starts.

 

[DarkKnight]

Coaches only get so many bullets, I think it a bit laughable Keefe thinks he’s setting some tone with vets early in camp. Relax Sheldon, and I personally don’t want people playing “more physical” during a nothing practice in Sept. Just get ready for the season, my god that’s long enough, without losing your shit already. Theatrics.

 

[notbias]

Coaches only get so many bullets, I think it a bit laughable Keefe thinks he’s setting some tone with vets early in camp. Relax Sheldon, and I personally don’t want people playing “more physical” during a nothing practice in Sept. Just get ready for the season, my god that’s long enough, without losing your shit already. Theatrics.

People seem to hate how soft Keefe is with the players from what I've read before (even though I don't believe he is soft), and now he is too hard or he is doing this for the press? Not saying you, not sure if you think the former, but I am sure the same people who think the former will be complaining about this too.

 

[francis246]

when is the next game>

 

[ACC1224]

when is the next game>

Tomorrow night vs Montreal, Matt Murrays debut.

Murray is scheduled to play 40 minutes against the Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena, and to be relieved by Erik Kallgren.



“I think it’ll be cool, for sure,” Murray said. “I’m trying to get the most out of it and prepare for Game 1 of the season. That’s the first step toward that. I’m just hoping to enjoy it.”



Murray’s new teammates see plenty of value in the experience the goaltender gained in winning the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. How does Murray apply that knowledge today as he goes about putting a couple of difficult seasons with the Ottawa Senators firmly in the past?



“Well, I learned a lot from those days,” Murray said. “What they taught me was the importance of taking things one day at a time, controlling what you can control and doing that to the best of your abilities and not worrying about the rest. That’s where my focus lies now.”

Article content​

For what it’s worth through several days of practice, Murray has been making a positive first impression as he settles into hockey life in Toronto.



“You can see real attention to detail and his competitiveness on every puck on every play,” Leafs captain John Tavares said. “He’s trying to build up his game with each rep, pushing himself to be sharp and dialled in and ready to go when the time comes.”



The Leafs will have four pre-season games remaining after Wednesday, and Keefe said the plan will be to have Murray and Samsonov go the distance in two each. As it stands now, Samsonov will start in Belleville on Friday when the Leafs meet the Senators.

 

[Stephen]

I hope so too .. I hate to say it but fatherhood and past couple summers have been rough on Muzzy .. maybe he needs to retire da sticks next summer .. he can't be coming into camps as an older guy hurt all da time .. take up running or something else that can't f'up his knees or back

If we’re following health trends Jake Muzzin is probably not long before he heads off to Weber Mountain.

 

[Stephen]

But like this is the issue and why I didn't see any rationale in keeping muzz into this season. He is injury plagued and has been, seems to become discomforted a lot quicker now and is essentially blocking a path for further defensive growth for players like Sandin and ofc also hems up on a $5million dollar cap hit, which we could have used for other additions.

As others mentioned without Sandin signed, Lily injured and Muzzin suspect to even play in the pre-season we have Mete and Benn slotting in and thats NOT ideal for a team that already needed to get better defensively this year.

Some is self inflicted, while some is just unlucky.

One thing you have to question the Leafs decision making on Muzzin is how do you square the fact that over the past few years the guys entrusted with more of the physical, hard minute work have been older guys with a lot of mileage?

Simmonds, Clifford are all older and have played a ton of hockey. They shouldn’t be trusted to carry heavy checking responsibilities. Ditto Muzzin. How’s do you put a guy with health and durability issues into a workhorse, heavy physical play, do it all defender role?

You have to LTIR or trade that whole situation and try to bring in a fresher part.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I actually really like that but I still think Kerfoot gets traded for the cap flexibility and would love to see Holmberg in his spot on the 3rd line

I think I am on that boat too, assuming we can get the right return for Kerfoot. We can afford to wait for a little bit since there are some injuries. Maybe keep him until Engvall comes back at the very least and then re-evaluate from there.

For me though, I think Holmberg starts the year in the AHL. He is exempt and it is not easy for guys to transition directly from the SHL to the NHL unless they are top 5 talents. He hasn't dominated enough to force our hand and risk an Anderson or even Gaudette to waivers to give him a look right out of the gate.

I would like to see how Anderson does with more skilled guys and with an extended look. He looked good on a shutdown line and even made a few good skill plays that could make him work on the 2nd or 3rd line in place of a guy like Kerfoot or Engvall.

I am guessing Muzzy is 4 to 6 weeks away from playing and then another month to get back to speed .. can't put him in when he is not ready or another concussion will occur

That is fine. Let him take his time. All I am saying is that Benn cannot be their plan to replace him... And especially not if Muzzin will be out for a long period of time.

 

[Notsince67]

That second line intrigues me. I think Nylander is reenergized playing with his countryman and I think Pontus adds some defensive acumen to Nylander's tremendous offensive talents. I want to see more of Malgin on this line to see if the first game was an anomaly. Just throwing this out there, but could Tavares be the 2LW we're looking for in the coming years.

Someone on that line will win the Lady Bing

 

[Fogelhund]

But like this is the issue and why I didn't see any rationale in keeping muzz into this season. He is injury plagued and has been, seems to become discomforted a lot quicker now and is essentially blocking a path for further defensive growth for players like Sandin and ofc also hems up on a $5million dollar cap hit, which we could have used for other additions.

As others mentioned without Sandin signed, Lily injured and Muzzin suspect to even play in the pre-season we have Mete and Benn slotting in and thats NOT ideal for a team that already needed to get better defensively this year.

Some is self inflicted, while some is just unlucky.

Muzzin healthy is one of our best D, like he was in the playoffs. He's pretty hard to replace, and while he's had his injury woes, he's still been in the lineup more than everyone's darling Chychrun.

 

[Canada4Gold]

He’s 6’9 and Malgin is 5’9 … should tell you all you need to know about who they prefer in the lineup


Doesn’t another move have to be made to get Sandin signed in order to fit under the cap? Or does Liljegren being on the IR give them that flexibility?

With the 10 forward locks, 6 D locks, 2 goalies, Sandin @1.5 and 2 league min forwards to round out the roster they'd be $1,118,116 over the cap with a 21 man roster. Waiving a forward and running 11+7 still has them $368,116 over the cap. Which means either someone has to be traded or someone has to start the year on LTIR. The obvious answer there would be Liljegren and his 1.4 million which would be enough to cover it but even if he's out long enough into the season for LTIR(a month) that's only a temporary solution.

 

[SprDaVE]

Muzzin ready to go.