GDT: Training Camp Discussion

[Fogelhund]

I'm thinking either Ho Sang or Gusev. I think Keefe is going to reunite Kampf and Kase (who have played together in Europe in the past) on the 4th line and Kase is going to play the Tyler Ennis role, destroying other teams' 4th lines. Simmonds I would guess rounds out that 4th line.

Spezza?

 

[Stephen]

Do any of Ho-Sang or Gusev have a shot at a contract. Would be cool to see them shine.

Based on past reclamation projects I would put their probability of success at a very low percentage but that’s why you do it, buying lottery tickets.

 

[tmlfan98]

Spezza?

Spezza is in group 1. The Tavares line and the Kampf line (4th line) are in group 2. Spezza probably alternates filling in for Matthews with Brooks during training camp, and alternates with Kase on the 4th line during the season because I doubt Kase stays healthy for 82 games. It's best to load manage and play both.

 

[SprDaVE]

Do any of Ho-Sang or Gusev have a shot at a contract. Would be cool to see them shine.

Ho-Sang has that Galchenyuk feel to it. He might go to the Marlies, work out some kinks and then get called up eventually.

Gusev is all or nothing. I don't see it happening but maybe he explodes in camp...

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Spezza is in group 1. The Tavares line and the Kampf line (4th line) are in group 2. Spezza probably alternates filling in for Matthews with Brooks during training camp, and alternates with Kase on the 4th line during the season because I doubt Kase stays healthy for 82 games. It's best to load manage and play both.

Why not put Mrazek & Campbell on separate teams?

 

[zeke]

 

[Fogelhund]

Spezza is in group 1. The Tavares line and the Kampf line (4th line) are in group 2. Spezza probably alternates filling in for Matthews with Brooks during training camp, and alternates with Kase on the 4th line during the season because I doubt Kase stays healthy for 82 games. It's best to load manage and play both.

You aren't following the conversation.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

Completely agree with that. He looked like he was either trying to do too much at times or trying to force every single shot. He needs to learn to pick his spots.

I am a little surprised he wasn't using his linemates a bit more since he was a pretty good playmaker when he played for team U.S.A. and didn't look selfish there.

 

[hockeynorth]

I love the Nylander/Kerfoot combo personally

 

[Twine Tickler]

I hope Spezza stays in the organization after he retires. He has such great insight on the game. This is such a spot on assessment of Nick. generating offence in hockey is sometimes counter intuitive to what you may think it should be. Often times the best goal scorers I've played with or watched on TV let the play come to them. They slip in behind the play and don't force it. I love Nick's intensity and drive to get the puck, but he doesn't use his line mates very well. Especially in transition. He often tries to gain the blue on his own, and I just don't think he's going to be able to do that at the pro level to the same level efficiency that he was used to in junior. Specifically the way Sheldon coaches this team, it has always been about possesing the puck. They are not afraid to circle back in the neutral zone to regroup if the look is not there. Nick will have to learn to do that. He'll have to learn to slip behind the play vs. being the first man in all the time.

Absolutely love those comments by Spezza. Not overly harsh, but very direct calls to action. It's not meant as a slight to Nick, clearly he has a report with him. He always has shown a liking to Nick, staying after practice with him and all. Ideal mentor.

 

[uncleben]

But what about Brennan Kapcheck? Leafs Nation NEEDS to know.

I know you're being facetious, but apparently Group 1

 

[zeke]

 

[zeke]

So the full (relevent) 1st day lines:

Ritchie - (Brooks) - Marner
Bunting - Tavares - Ho-Sang
Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Nylander
Robertson - Amadio - Spezza
Gusev - Kampf - Kase

Muzzin - Liljegren
Rielly - Dermott
Sandin - Brodie
Dahlstrom - Holl


​

Simmonds not participating. Wonder where he would have slotted.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

Sometimes you just have to be brutally honest with the situation even if you like the player, the team and the GM.

We've had no playoff success *with* Rielly. If we trade him and go into next year without him, what's the worst case scenario? The standard is already so low that it's not even that hard to top.

I kinda see it that way too. Rielly is already bad defensively, so I don't see it as much of a loss there and I think from what we've seen from Sandin, he can take over as the guy on the PP. He looks like he can make the same plays as Rielly while having a harder shot. I could see him being able to put up around 40 pts. We have shown that we have a pretty solid defense other wise with Muzzin, Brodie Holl. If we were to move on from Rielly and his contract, we could use his cap to adding a forward or 2 in the middle six to give us more scoring depth instead of going bargain bin shopping and trying to force guys like Thornton or Bunting into big roles.

 

[Zybalto]

So the full (relevent) 1st day lines:

Ritchie - (Brooks) - Marner
Bunting - Tavares - Ho-Sang
Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Nylander
Robertson - Amadio - Spezza
Gusev - Kampf - Kase

Muzzin - Liljegren
Rielly - Dermott
Sandin - Brodie
Dahlstrom - Holl


​

Simmonds not participating. Wonder where he would have slotted.

4th line RW there, Spezza to the middle?

 

[notbias]

So the full (relevent) 1st day lines:

Ritchie - (Brooks) - Marner
Bunting - Tavares - Ho-Sang
Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Nylander
Robertson - Amadio - Spezza
Gusev - Kampf - Kase

Muzzin - Liljegren
Rielly - Dermott
Sandin - Brodie
Dahlstrom - Holl


​

Simmonds not participating. Wonder where he would have slotted.

Some interesting lines, although I wouldn't read too much into it since there are some known commodities and you can put them on lines with people who won't be making the team.

The most interesting thing so far is Nylander being on the third line. Could really be a deadly team if any one of Kase/Gusev/Ho-Sang work out and are able to be a skilled winger with Tavares.

 

[zeke]

4th line RW there, Spezza to the middle?

yeah that's possible. Amadio would seem to be the most likely "fill in" guy there.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

So the full (relevent) 1st day lines:

Ritchie - (Brooks) - Marner
Bunting - Tavares - Ho-Sang
Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Nylander
Robertson - Amadio - Spezza
Gusev - Kampf - Kase

Muzzin - Liljegren
Rielly - Dermott
Sandin - Brodie
Dahlstrom - Holl


​

Simmonds not participating. Wonder where he would have slotted.

Makes sense .. we will see if Keefer keeps big 4 on 3 lines once season starts but at least he is doing what he said he would do .. and putting rooks with vets on D again doing what he said he was gonna try .. it may work .. I like Kerfoot on LW with Willy at C and then drop Wayner on RW to keep things honest on ice and open up more room for those 2 .. Mik should move up to RW (where he wants to play) with JT or Matty and try him out there like Babs promised him .. if it doesn't work then org can say they gave him a shot .. and no hard feelings with agent .. Holl is a 3rd/4th line player

 

[Clark4Ever]

So the full (relevent) 1st day lines:

Ritchie - (Brooks) - Marner
Bunting - Tavares - Ho-Sang
Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Nylander
Robertson - Amadio - Spezza
Gusev - Kampf - Kase

Muzzin - Liljegren
Rielly - Dermott
Sandin - Brodie
Dahlstrom - Holl


​

Simmonds not participating. Wonder where he would have slotted.

Interesting. Looks like Keefe is trying to spread the offense across all 4 lines, similar to what the Habs did in the playoffs last season.

I prefer that approach instead of giving 25 plus minutes a night to Matthews and Marner.

 

[zeke]

Interesting. Looks like Keefe is trying to spread the offense across all 4 lines, similar to what the Habs did in the playoffs last season.

I prefer that approach instead of giving 25 plus minutes a night to Matthews and Marner.

well....looks like he's spreading it over 5 lines there, so it's going to have to be concentrated down to 4 lines eventually somehow.

 

[Clark4Ever]

When the dust settles, perhaps we'll see something like this:

Ritchie-Matthews-Marner
Bunting-Tavares-Simmonds
Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Nylander
Robertson-Brooks-Spezza
Kampf, Kase

 

[notbias]

When the dust settles, perhaps we'll see something like this:

Ritchie-Matthews-Marner
Bunting-Tavares-Simmonds
Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Nylander
Robertson-Brooks-Spezza
Kampf, Kase

If Kase is healthy he is playing, Kampf will also be playing. I am thinking Brooks and Robertson won't be in the lineup from that.

 

[zeke]

Ritchie - Matthews - Marner
Bunting - Tavares - Spezza
Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Nylander
Simmonds - Kampf - Kase

 

[A1LeafNation]

Ritchie - Matthews - Marner
Bunting - Tavares - Spezza
Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Nylander
Simmonds - Kampf - Kase

Ritchie Matthews Marner
Bunting Tavares Nylander
Kerfoot Spezza Simmonds
Mikheyev Kampf Kase
Engvall

 

[zeke]

So the full (relevent) 1st day lines:

Ritchie - (Brooks) - Marner
Bunting - Tavares - Ho-Sang
Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Nylander
Robertson - Amadio - Spezza
Gusev - Kampf - Kase

Muzzin - Liljegren
Rielly - Dermott
Sandin - Brodie
Dahlstrom - Holl


​

Simmonds not participating. Wonder where he would have slotted.

I guess I should add one more relevant line from today:

Semyonov - Engvall - Anderson

Obviously not good news for Engvall tho.