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Opening Day roster taking shape

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Leafs87 said:
In frustrated to see Vesey on the team over Engvall and Robertson. I don’t get why they won’t start Robertson. He’s earned it. I assume they wanna not burn a year of ELC yet? They wanna space as much of the 6 games out through the season and maybe send him down?
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error. Wrong post.
 
MMANumminen said:
Surprised and disappoint that Lehtonen didn't make top6....afterall he's in game shape he has many KHL games already
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Don't stress over it... He'll make it at some point. He's easily good enough offensively, but needs a bit more time to adjust to what they want him to do defensively. They want to put him in the best position to succeed long-term, and if it takes some time to learn, watch, and practise with these guys, so be it. They don't want him to struggle early on, and get down... I think they are breaking him in the right way.
 
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Fogelhund said:
Don't stress over it... He'll make it at some point. He's easily good enough offensively, but needs a bit more time to adjust to what they want him to do defensively. They want to put him in the best position to succeed long-term, and if it takes some time to learn, watch, and practise with these guys, so be it. They don't want him to struggle early on, and get down... I think they are breaking him in the right way.
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It's also the easiest excuse to keep Dell on the roster for a few weeks until he is likely waived, and subsequently claimed, by New Jersey.

I highly doubt they are committed to Comrie as their backup.
 
rumman said:
Anyone else concerned about the additions of Thornton/Simmons/Bogo?I’ve seen aging vets sign in Toronto to end their careers too many times and it’s never worked out well. The only difference is these guys didn’t get the pre retirement overpayment the Leafs have handed out in the past. I hope they can contribute however in going to keep my expectations in check.
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Not really. If any of them flop, their cap sizes are small enough they can be replacemed pretty seamlessly by a taxi squad guy. Though I think each of them will be fine on the team: all should be good enough to hold a roster spot, thenquesriin remains is if they can exceed that baseline
 
Fogelhund said:
Vesey is being asked to play in a manner, that neither Engvall can, or Roberston can at this stage. Vesey is being asked to play the Hyman role, crash, bang, hustle, retrieve pucks. He has speed and size, and has decent mitts too. It's playing in a different manner than he's been asked to in the past, but if the experiment works. we could have a decent role player. If not, as @JT AM da real deal says, he'll be waived, demoted, end on the practise squad or Marlies. It's no big deal.

I'm not even sure why people get worked up about pencilled in starting lines at the start of the season, they are never the same for long anyway. If Vesey stays on that line, it's because he's played well enough as a complimentary guy, to make it work. Engvall's been given chances, given direction, and the coaching staff aren't happy with him. Roberston is a very talented kid, who has a lot to learn about the NHL game, and defense. He has time, and will make the team and be a contributor at some point. It won't be as a crash banger.
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you know Engvall is bigger, better defensively, and a better skater than Vesey right? There is zero basis for saying Vesey can fill that role and Engvall cannot
 
CantLoseWithMatthews said:
you know Engvall is bigger, better defensively, and a better skater than Vesey right? There is zero basis for saying Vesey can fill that role and Engvall cannot
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You might want to talk with Dubas and Keefe then. Engvall is in their dog house, and those are specific quotes from them. While you may feel that way, they don't.
 
CantLoseWithMatthews said:
link to where they said Engvall isn't as big or as good of a skater as Vesey?
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Ok, let me repeat a little more carefully for you.

Engvall is in the doghouse.

He played well enough last year to earn a two-year extension, but Engvall failed to step up at camp. "I expect Pierre to be better, to be honest," coach Sheldon Keefe said Saturday night, after an intrasquad scrimmage. "I think it might be coming up on, if not past, the one-year anniversary of his last goal." Ouch. That's even more striking considering his last goal came Feb. 22 against the Hurricanes' emergency backup (and Zamboni driver) David Ayers. Engvall is 6-foot-5, but he falls back on his excellent skating rather than using his body. And at his size, that just won't fly. Maybe this assignment will motivate him.
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So Engvall, is demoted, while they've put Vesey on the Tavares line.

You said the following...


There is zero basis for saying Vesey can fill that role and Engvall cannot

SO, Engvall demoted, and Keefe specifically talks about Vesey, and why he can fill that role.....

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe on roster cuts ahead of opening night.

Nowhere has anyone suggested Engvall is short, or that he can't skate...

just that they didn't feel he belonged in the lineup at any spot, and that Vesey did... so, based on that Keefe and Dubas disagree with you, that Engvall can do that, as well, or better than Vesey.
 
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frizzer1 said:
What are the odds that after around 20 games or so, Vesey,Thornton, and Simmons will all be on the 4th line ( like Simmons is now ), or on the taxi squad?
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I think Simmonds will play up a bit especially when giving Joe a breather in game.
 
CantLoseWithMatthews said:
you know Engvall is bigger, better defensively, and a better skater than Vesey right? There is zero basis for saying Vesey can fill that role and Engvall cannot
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Engvall has had an aversion to scoring. Like a SERIOUS one. Last goal was against the zamboni driver. Vesey comes with a better scoring resume.
 
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