GDT: Training Camp discussion - Rifai and Murray on waivers -- Steeves clears

[Rare Jewel]

, I have faith that Robertson will be in the starting lineup on opening night.

For what team?

 

[mjd1001]

One thing that I hope the Leafs can get eventually (doesn't look like they have the players for it this year) is a 3rd or 4th line full of guys that the other teams hate to play against. I don't mean agitators that the other teams HATE the players, but rather 'hate to play against' as in, when the Leafs put them out there the other players are thinking...not THEM again.

With that I mean guys how are fast, they can fly out there. They don't even need to be that big or looking to drop the gloves that much, just be willing to finish a check. But I want a line that is fast, that no matter the score, doesn't give up. Guys that know they are getting 12-15 minutes of ice time only and are going to leave it on the ice every second they are out there. If the other team even wants to slow thing down, reset the play behind their own net, this line just doesn't let them do that.

3 guys with: #1 blazing speed. #1a High motor. In terms of scoring, physicality, experience, just make sure they aren't awful.

I don't think ANYONE in the NHL wants to face a line that you can't get away from and just is always there, wont' ever leave you alone even for a second.

 

[Primary Assist]

Hate to see Laine get hurt. Really more of an unfortunate play than anything dirty or reckless by Paré. He was just bodying him up and Laine had his head down crossing the blue line and paid a huge price for it. Almost reminds me of when Laine got trucked his rookie year and effectively sealed his fate as the runner up to the rookie goal race.

Also surprised Paré didn't fight back against Xhekaj. Yeah, I get it - Xhekaj is a feared fighter and it's not like keyboard warrior me has to square up against him. But Paré is a big dude too and at 25 years old needs to use this NHL camp as a showcase. Fighting Xhekaj would go a long way in making a name for himself.

 

[Stephen]

Hate to see Laine get hurt. Really more of an unfortunate play than anything dirty or reckless by Paré. He was just bodying him up and Laine had his head down crossing the blue line and paid a huge price for it. Almost reminds me of when Laine got trucked his rookie year and effectively sealed his fate as the runner up to the rookie goal race.

Also surprised Paré didn't fight back against Xhekaj. Yeah, I get it - Xhekaj is a feared fighter and it's not like keyboard warrior me has to square up against him. But Paré is a big dude too and at 25 years old needs to use this NHL camp as a showcase. Fighting Xhekaj would go a long way in making a name for himself.

It looked like a really awkward play overall. Laine came in with the idea he was going to try and beat Pare (the center) one on one vs dishing to his LW on the zone entry, Quillan's good pressure turned it into a 1 on 2 and Laine went head down into the crowd and just walked into Pare's knee. For Pare, it looked like the classic case of wanting to get a piece of a guy who might get by, and he pivots to his left, with knee on knee colliding.

The code allows for Xhekaj to knock on Pare's door, but grabbing and rabbit punching a la Bertuzzi on Moore is beyond. Pare probably could have been more situationally aware and squared up much sooner.

Also, while this Laine injury is really unfortunate for the player and the Habs, this rage from Montreal is also kind of awkward too. It's not like Toronto targeted a superstar a la Domi career ending Jean Beliveau or something. Just awkward all around play.

 

[fahad203]

Hate to see Laine get hurt. Really more of an unfortunate play than anything dirty or reckless by Paré. He was just bodying him up and Laine had his head down crossing the blue line and paid a huge price for it. Almost reminds me of when Laine got trucked his rookie year and effectively sealed his fate as the runner up to the rookie goal race.

Also surprised Paré didn't fight back against Xhekaj. Yeah, I get it - Xhekaj is a feared fighter and it's not like keyboard warrior me has to square up against him. But Paré is a big dude too and at 25 years old needs to use this NHL camp as a showcase. Fighting Xhekaj would go a long way in making a name for himself.

I think it's the same reason why Perry never fought back against Foligno. There's a matter of guilt and let this be done with type of attitude

But I liked how the Leafs overall responded. Some of those AHL guys have some pushback, which is always nice to see. They defnitely want to leave a mark and I believe they have. Rifai for example. Myers fought Anderson. Good on them to show some grit

Hidelby was just down right awesome
Robby played great.
Holmberg did his job
Cowan defnitely needs another year

Can't wait to see the full team. There was serious lacking in skills last night

 

[Stephen]

One thing that I hope the Leafs can get eventually (doesn't look like they have the players for it this year) is a 3rd or 4th line full of guys that the other teams hate to play against. I don't mean agitators that the other teams HATE the players, but rather 'hate to play against' as in, when the Leafs put them out there the other players are thinking...not THEM again.

With that I mean guys how are fast, they can fly out there. They don't even need to be that big or looking to drop the gloves that much, just be willing to finish a check. But I want a line that is fast, that no matter the score, doesn't give up. Guys that know they are getting 12-15 minutes of ice time only and are going to leave it on the ice every second they are out there. If the other team even wants to slow thing down, reset the play behind their own net, this line just doesn't let them do that.

3 guys with: #1 blazing speed. #1a High motor. In terms of scoring, physicality, experience, just make sure they aren't awful.

I don't think ANYONE in the NHL wants to face a line that you can't get away from and just is always there, wont' ever leave you alone even for a second.

Lorentz looks like the new attitude we need on the lower lines. Everything needs to be done with more bite and emotional hostility. You can kind of see how frazzled Montreal got just playing vs a roster like that, vs having these low personality 4th liners like Aston Reese and Gregor.

 

[Nineteen67]

I meant like cheating in the faceoffs, pulling yall jerseys, hooking, fisting when the ref aint seeing, blinding, lifting a stick, holding a stick and also saying things to a player thst is almost not acceptable etc. We gotta do all to win. Be Claude Lemieux, Roy, Neauwendyk , Roberts type

Absolutely do all that stuff, and more. There are refs policing it and if you get you go the box.

When I think of cheating I think more of what TTOE did when the NHL office were out east.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

With significance to tone setting and culture, the Leafs have as many fights this preseason as they did the previous three (6). Though I wouldn’t really count Xhekaj’s assault on Pare a fight but that's how it is in the record books.

 

[rumman]

those comparing what happened last night to what Bertuzzi did to Moore need their head's examined imo. One was premeditated assault the other is minor scuffle...........

 

[Stephen]

those comparing what happened last night to what Bertuzzi did to Moore need their head's examined imo. One was premeditated assault the other is minor scuffle...........

Both acts were premeditated retaliations for what happened on the ice and both involved an aggressor and an unwilling participant, resulting in the bearing from behind and repeated blows to the back of the head. Pare could have lost his footing, fallen forward with all of Xhekaj's weight tumbling down on him. Both Pare and Xhekaj are very lucky to have skated away from a minor scuffle.

 

[Antropovsky]

It’s pretty obvious the media wants to rub his past failures and public meltdowns in his face. So it’s not like Marner would come out of it looking great in any such interaction.

I agree, the reporter asked the quaestion for a good sound bite... but Marner couldve said yea, super excited for Nylander, he deserves it, hes a great player and an interesting person.

There...probably doesnt make the news and maybe reporters stop looking to him for juicy things to report.

 

[13pacheco31]

I think it's the same reason why Perry never fought back against Foligno. There's a matter of guilt and let this be done with type of attitude

But I liked how the Leafs overall responded. Some of those AHL guys have some pushback, which is always nice to see. They defnitely want to leave a mark and I believe they have. Rifai for example. Myers fought Anderson. Good on them to show some grit

Hidelby was just down right awesome
Robby played great.
Holmberg did his job
Cowan defnitely needs another year

Can't wait to see the full team. There was serious lacking in skills last night

I think Cowan is in a weird spot where he's too good for juniors but clearly not good enough for pros at this point. It'd be nice if he were ahl eligible

 

[fahad203]

I think Cowan is in a weird spot where he's too good for juniors but clearly not good enough for pros at this point. It'd be nice if he were ahl eligible

Unfortunately a lot of young prospects has faced this dilemma before.

Good thing is we are not in a hurry. He can marinate in OHL. Minten, Greb will play in AHL while Knies and Robby take next steps

 

[LeafalCrusader]

4 day break between games in the preseason. Lol.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Alex Nylander said he turned down NHL offers to work with Toronto development staff here and try to make the team. He is an idiot. This guy is not an NHLer. Shoulda took the money

Alex Nylander can shoot the puck but otherwise he’s very pedestrian. Nowhere near the skating ability of Willy.

 

[Aashir Mallik]

4 day break between games in the preseason. Lol.

it's last season all over again already lol

we used to play 2-3 games and then have 4-5 days inbetween for a while, awful scheduling.

haven't checked the current seasons yet, hopefully it is better

 

[bax]

Marner should be allowed to make his own choices about what to watch on TV or to turn the TV off.

Both of your answers are 100% correct.

 

[TheShape]

Alex Nylander said he turned down NHL offers to work with Toronto development staff here and try to make the team. He is an idiot. This guy is not an NHLer. Shoulda took the money

He actually has the tools, there's a player there. But negative zero on the give a sh*t meter, total waste.

 

[Roo]

Maybe some time with the Marlins will do ANylander some good. Likely part of the plan. He’ll be here if and when he’s ready.

 

[Antropovsky]

He actually has the tools, there's a player there. But negative zero on the give a sh*t meter, total waste.

Agreed

 

[Stephen]

He actually has the tools, there's a player there. But negative zero on the give a sh*t meter, total waste.

Doesn't look like Alex Nylander has the same lower body base and power Willie has. He looks spindly on his legs and doesn't have that power that Willie has developed over the years.

 

[Stephen]

I think Cowan is in a weird spot where he's too good for juniors but clearly not good enough for pros at this point. It'd be nice if he were ahl eligible

Cowan can't get lost in the mentality that he's too good for juniors. It's a big step to go from the OHL and NHL, he already took a huge step last year and needs to keep working. Of course you'd want him to take a Wyatt Johnston type step and become a contributor right away, but a Logan Stankoven took a D+2 and he's well positioned to be an NHLer after a pro year at 20. If you're not ready you're not ready.

 

[LuckyBoeser]

Hey Leafs fans, as a Blazers fan... I'm curious to know what your guys expectation for Minten is? When is he expected to return from injury? NHL or AHL this year?

 

[IPS]

Finally got around to reading the main board thread.

Wow what a trip.

 

[1specter]

Finally got around to reading the main board thread.

Wow what a trip.

I was just thinking about this today, but doesn't it amaze you how many fanbases have a dedicated Leafs hater poster who do nothing but just talk about the Leafs and Leaf fans and instigate stuff with them all the time? (e.g. PaulD). Yet there are no Leaf posters who dedicate their time solely to actively trolling and obsessively discussing a rival team or its fans, at least not that I know of. Imagine making your entire personality about hating another team lol, more than you even discuss your own team.