Training Camp continued

[andora]

At who's expense?

In my mind anderson to waivers and likely malgin to waivers.. unless malgin skips in on liljegrens ltir space

I believe malgin starts on the team.. but by january its different

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Bunting Matthews Marner
ZAR Kampf NAK

Look good for a 1st and 4th lines. Try to figure out the 2nd and 3rd lines. You can keep Tavares and Nylander and use more of a checking 3rd line or try them on separate lines and spread things out.

 

[Oscar Peterson]

Haven’t been able to watch any game in its entirety, but from what I’ve seen Holmberg has been quite impressive so far.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

What looks better? Like both.

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

Or

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

 

[Sypher04]

Bunting Matthews Marner
ZAR Kampf NAK

Look good for a 1st and 4th lines. Try to figure out the 2nd and 3rd lines. You can keep Tavares and Nylander and use more of a checking 3rd line or try them on separate lines and spread things out.

If some of the guys showing well in camp can keep it up as the competition rises I would be feeling more and more strongly about creating two separate lines around splitting Tavares and Nylander, at least to start. Lines that can play to each players’ strengths. We can always return to the pair if things don’t go as well as planned.

 

[stickty111]

Lets not overthink this. Engvall is 100% on the team as he should be. He's a good player who can play 3rd line or middle 6.

 

[4thline]

Any one else forget Engvall is still on the team? Would anyone miss him if he never came back?

I'm seriously conflicted when it comes to Engvall. On one hand his versatility and pk skills give me no doubt as to his ability to give value for the contract, and contribute to the team, solid top 9 player.

On the other, given our cap situation and plethora of depth options I think the bolder move would have been to not qualify him and give the kids a chance to fill the spot

 

[ULF_55]

What looks better? Like both.

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

Or

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

I think Nylander can feed Robertson the puck.
Remix of the playoff line:

Galchenyuk-Kerfoot-Nylander
...
Robertson-Kerfoot-Nylander

It is up to Robertson to keep working his but off.

 

[Oscar Peterson]

I'm seriously conflicted when it comes to Engvall. On one hand his versatility and pk skills give me no doubt as to his ability to give value for the contract, and contribute to the team, solid top 9 player.

On the other, given our cap situation and plethora of depth options I think the bolder move would have been to not qualify him and give the kids a chance to fill the spot

Think this could be over thinking it. Even though Engvall has frustrating moments, the 3rd and 4th line have consistently put up much stronger results with Engvall on the line than without. Plus he’s a late bloomer and definitely made strides last year. Rare for a player that size to have his speed.

 

[Duffman955]

Engvall is 100% better than anyone auditioning for the depth roles.

It's not even close.

 

[4thline]

Think this could be over thinking it. Even though Engvall has frustrating moments, the 3rd and 4th line have consistently put up much stronger results with Engvall on the line than without. Plus he’s a late bloomer and definitely made strides last year. Rare for a player that size to have his speed.

Maybe, but we're hard up against the cap, and I'd have had no problems going into camp with

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
xxx-Tavares-Nylander
xxx-Kerfoot-Jarncrok
ZAR-Kampf-NAK

and letting Robertson/Malgin/Gaudette/Steeves/Holmberg/Anderson fight for the xxx's

 

[LeafChief]

De Haan signs 1 year 850k off his PTO with Carolina. I probably would have preferred to sign him over Benn.

 

[Stephen]

De Haan signs 1 year 850k off his PTO with Carolina. I probably would have preferred to sign him over Benn.

Is it too late to call PK Subban up?

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I doubt it.
There wasn't really outrage, that's a little over dramatic.
Many just preferred the home grown Brooks to Amadio.

Maybe there wasn't from you personally. There was absolutely outrage. Also Amadio is still better then Brooks!

 

[Oscar Peterson]

Maybe, but we're hard up against the cap, and I'd have had no problems going into camp with

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
xxx-Tavares-Nylander
xxx-Kerfoot-Jarncrok
ZAR-Kampf-NAK

and letting Robertson/Malgin/Gaudette/Steeves/Holmberg/Anderson fight for the xxx's

Possibly, but Engvall is currently better than all those players as far as I’m concerned. Plus it never hurts to have depth. Robertson IMO is the only one with the potential to be significantly better than Engvall and he’s not even a guarantee to succeed NHL though obviously worth investing in. Steeves could very well play a fourth line role for us next year, Holmberg looks great but a year on the Marlies wouldn’t hurt him to get confident offensively. Anderson shouldn’t be anywhere near an NHL roster imo, he’s been brutal every time I’ve watched him and his defensive/checking game seems to be far overstated by most around here.

 

[Shooter2x]

Nylander looked dynamic with Malgin
Robertson looked dynamic with Malgin. (just ok/not ready otherwise)

Conclusion: Malgin is riding their coattails while leading the team in goals and points.

I honestly believe that if his name were anything but Malgin, the narrative would be different. He's not dynamic, but then again neither is a Kerfoot. He's a well rounded player who can play with skill players while not being a defensive liability.

The Leafs have been looking for complementary players who can play with stars and provide depth scoring, and Malgin is showing both. That has value. At the World Championships, he far and away led the Swiss in Pts ahead of Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, and Pius Suter - all everyday NHL'ers (and some much better).

IMO, keep Malgin to start the season, send Roberston down, and give Malgin a bit of run in a top-9. Just as easy to punt him in November is it is in preseason. But I suspect injuries will hit, and both might be here playing roles.

I love Robertson and want him up here soon, but him going down for a few weeks won't hurt.

Weird logic considering Robertson and Malgin would be in competition for 2LW (or scoring depth role). If Robertson looks like the driver when malgin is on at the same time, then Robertson is in the lead. Its really simple.

The conclusion is Malgin is falling short

 

[kb]

Weird logic considering Robertson and Malgin would be in competition for 2LW. If Robertson looks like the driver when malgin is on at the same time, then Robertson is in the lead. Its really simple.

The conclusion is Malgin is falling short

How can the player who had one real good game be ahead of the one who had 3 and is outscoring him? That's weird logic.

And at the outset of the season, cap hits and roster flexibility will be all important. Robbie can be sent down and has a larger cap hit.

It's good asset management. It's really that simple.

 

[Burnie97]

I think Nylander can feed Robertson the puck.
Remix of the playoff line:

Galchenyuk-Kerfoot-Nylander
...
Robertson-Kerfoot-Nylander

It is up to Robertson to keep working his but off.

I wouldn't mind giving that a try. Only thing is with the lineup with 3 scoring lines and a good shutdown 4th line... some games it'll be hard to balance out minutes.

It's a good problem to have though. Also maybe it'd be better so guys are less burnt out at the end of the season ... thinking guys like Tavares, and also less chance of injury then too.

 

[4thline]

Possibly, but Engvall is currently better than all those players as far as I’m concerned. Plus it never hurts to have depth. Robertson IMO is the only one with the potential to be significantly better than Engvall and he’s not even a guarantee to succeed NHL though obviously worth investing in. Steeves could very well play a fourth line role for us next year, Holmberg looks great but a year on the Marlies wouldn’t hurt him to get confident offensively. Anderson shouldn’t be anywhere near an NHL roster imo, he’s been brutal every time I’ve watched him and his defensive/checking game seems to be far overstated by most around here.

Included Anderson to discount hindsight- didn't know about his poor showing this camp before it started.

I think you're underselling the potential of Steeves and Holmberg. Pierre was a year ahead crossing the pond compared to Holmberg, but Holmberg had a similar/better U21 SHL season, and his U22 was nothing short of exceptional. Steeves simply gets discounted because of his lack of pedigree. That U22 year puts him well ahead of where all of Hyman/Moore/ AJ/ Engvall were at the same age- bordering on a Kapanen level AHL impact.

Engvall is definitely the better play today. No argument- but
is he more better than the difference between Holl and our next best d (cap implications)?
will he remain after the best of them get a full season under their belts?

The decision is made, so I hope the answer is yes, and he earns himself a 4M+ multi-year contract

Edit- me dumb, Steeves and Holmberg both played U23 last year. Cross off the Kap line, and take them a half step back relative to Engvall. But still very nice prospects whose top 9 upside should not be ignored

 

[zeke]

I wonder if he gets claimed if there will be the same out rage like Brooks last year.

Nah Joey is a Dubas acquisition unlike poor brooksie who Dubas treated so poorly.

Many just preferred the home grown Brooks to Amadio.

Thise silly homers, eh?

 

[ACC1224]

Engvall is 100% better than anyone auditioning for the depth roles.

It's not even close.

Not a fan. Large guys that play small I have no use for.

Maybe there wasn't from you personally. There was absolutely outrage. Also Amadio is still better then Brooks!

Both fringe players, hardly worth revisiting

 

[Oscar Peterson]

Included Anderson to discount hindsight- didn't know about his poor showing this camp before it started.

I think you're underselling the potential of Steeves and Holmberg. Pierre was a year ahead crossing the pond compared to Holmberg, but Holmberg had a similar/better U21 SHL season, and his U22 was nothing short of exceptional. Steeves simply gets discounted because of his lack of pedigree. That U22 year puts him well ahead of where all of Hyman/Moore/ AJ/ Engvall were at the same age- bordering on a Kapanen level AHL impact.

Engvall is definitely the better play today. No argument- but
is he more better than the difference between Holl and our next best d (cap implications)?
will he remain after the best of them get a full season under their belts?

The decision is made, so I hope the answer is yes, and he earns himself a 4M+ multi-year contract

Edit- me dumb, Steeves and Holmberg both played U23 last year. Cross off the Kap line, and take them a half step back relative to Engvall. But still very nice prospects whose top 9 upside should not be ignored

I actually really like Holmberg. I made a post in one of the other threads today that he really has stood out and impressed me in this camp and in general our late round Swedish picks always give me reason for optimism so I don’t think I’m underselling anything. His hockey sense looks outstanding and he’s great at making the small plays that add up. The reason why I even said that is because I think he’s got real potential and don’t think it’ll hurt to see him play a big offensive role on the Marlies.

I also like Steeves as well, he’s versatile and will be a good utility player for us BUT that being said I don’t think he will long term be more than a fourth liner on our team with the forward depth we have. And still for this season there’s no chance he’s better than Engvall imo. Last year I’m pretty sure both the third and fourth line were statistically much stronger with him versus Kerfoot, seems we spend a lot of time in the offensive zone when he’s out there.

Regarding your question - Holl is my least favourite player on the team so to me, yes it’s worth it haha although I know others appreciate Holl more.

 

[notbias]

What looks better? Like both.

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

Or

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

Top, but Malgin > Robertson

 

[pdson]

Engvall is 100% better than anyone auditioning for the depth roles.

It's not even close.

100% Correct

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Not a fan. Large guys that play small I have no use for.


Both fringe players, hardly worth revisiting

Funny people didn't seem to think Brooks was a fringe player last year when people were freaking out about it. Time has proven it to be one of the more silly freakouts to happen on hfleaf.