Speculation: When does Josh Ho-Sang get his NHL deal w/ Leafs?

[LeafChief]

Agreed. He's been pretty good, but he's put himself in a position to be doubted. I think he has to over-prove that he's changed.

Agreed. He doesn't get the benefit of the doubt because of his past. He hasn't earned that yet.

He is doing exactly what he needs to do so far but I would want to see more of it before bringing him to the NHL. He did an interview recently where he said he's at a point in his life where he's just happy to be playing hockey. If the NHL happens, it happens.

Could all be lip service but if he keeps this up, I'd be interested in signing him in the new year and giving him a top 6 opportunity considering this team could use some more offensive output.

 

[Buds17]

I feel like tonight's game would be the perfect time for it to start! In all seriousness, the forward ranks are quite full at the moment and Mikheyev's eventual return will further add to that. The time will come.

 

[therealkoho]

as soon as they get rid of Ritchies contract is my guess

That said Ho-Sang is playing all 200 feet, skating with purpose and with a controlled intensity that makes him stand out. His OT goal yesterday was un-friggin-real, talk about nifty mittens!

I'm not sure about how they'd construct the line-up because Nylander, Marner, Kase and Spezza own the RW spots. The LW's would be Kerfoot, Bunting and Mikheyev/Engvall/Cliffy

although Engvall could revert to the 4th line centre's job

the only real question mark is who get's 1LW duty, nobody has been able to develop any chemistry yet with Matthews, the Bunting thing was looking ok with Nylander on the RW, but didn't give it nearly enough time so maybe they'll go back to it

Kerfoot, JT and Marner were playing really well together and once Mikheyev is back, I'd really like to see him with Kampf and Kase

What to do? Spezza centre's the 4th with Ho-Sang and Simmonds rotating on the RW and Engvall and Cliffy on the left side?

 

[aingefan]

Agreed. He's been pretty good, but he's put himself in a position to be doubted. I think he has to over-prove that he's changed.

It’s good on him that he is showing a willingness and making an effort to do just that. Not just his interviews, but taking an AHL deal, no complaints, thriving.
Pointed in a good direction it seems.

 

[LeafChief]

I feel like tonight's game would be the perfect time for it to start! In all seriousness, the forward ranks are quite full at the moment and Mikheyev's eventual return will further add to that. The time will come.

To be honest, I think tonight would be the absolute worst night to do it.

 

[Buds17]

To be honest, I think tonight would be the absolute worst night to do it.

No doubt, and I wouldn't have expected that to occur. The trajectory for that eventual deal trending in a positive direction seems good enough for the time being.

 

[kb]

If they were to sign Ho-Sang, it would be to replace a player. That player who is being replaced would likely move off the roster.

This isn't rocket science.

Apparently a few in here don't understand this concept, so it's bash the GM time....again.....in yet another thread.

 

[SHANNYPLAN]

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

 

[LeafParade]

as soon as they get rid of Ritchies contract is my guess

That said Ho-Sang is playing all 200 feet, skating with purpose and with a controlled intensity that makes him stand out. His OT goal yesterday was un-friggin-real, talk about nifty mittens!

I'm not sure about how they'd construct the line-up because Nylander, Marner, Kase and Spezza own the RW spots. The LW's would be Kerfoot, Bunting and Mikheyev/Engvall/Cliffy

although Engvall could revert to the 4th line centre's job

the only real question mark is who get's 1LW duty, nobody has been able to develop any chemistry yet with Matthews, the Bunting thing was looking ok with Nylander on the RW, but didn't give it nearly enough time so maybe they'll go back to it

Kerfoot, JT and Marner were playing really well together and once Mikheyev is back, I'd really like to see him with Kampf and Kase

What to do? Spezza centre's the 4th with Ho-Sang and Simmonds rotating on the RW and Engvall and Cliffy on the left side?

I dont' think they will be able to extend Kase in the offseason so I am looking at Ho-Sang to take one of those RW spots next year.

 

[JayfromNB1219]

Nylander - Matthews - Marner
Kerfoot - Tavares - Ho-Sang
Bunting - Spezza - Kase
Engvall - Kampf - Simmonds/Mikhy

Could be moved around a bit at LW but you can't tell me Simmonds or Ritchie are better then Ho-Sang right now. I get they hit, and nobody thinks the team needs to be tougher then me, but you gotta do more then just hit in today's game. I get playing 1, but playing both seems like a waste of a spot and cap space.

Do we even have a contract spot after getting Clifford though?

good god that's top heavy wow

 

[therealkoho]

Apparently a few in here don't understand this concept, so it's bash the GM time....again.....in yet another thread.

Or Holl, or Marner, or Keefe, or JT although that's quieted down for now.

 

[Nylander88]

I think Ho-Sang is a full time Leaf next year when they need more cheap contracts

 

[Jozay]

Wrong thread

 

[Cecithepylon]

Soon I hope

 

[seanlinden]

The Leafs have a glut of wingers who are all somewhat similar to Ho-Sang's overall calibre... Bunting, Ritchie, Engvall, Mikheyev, Kase, Simmonds. With Marner, Nylander, and Kerfoot on the wing, there really isn't a spot to fit him in at this point.

That being said, we are still only at the 1/4 mark of the season, and while the Leafs likely aren't thrilled with what they're getting from those 6 wingers, I think they're probably still holding out some hope that Bunting can find his earlier season form, Kase can continue to produce in that crucial defensive capacity, that Ritchie may one day pull his head out of his ###, and that when Mikheyev returns, he shows some of the pre-wrist injury form.

They're going to give these guys another 15-20 games to see what they have before they start tinkering, simply because signing Ho-Sang to an NHL deal means risking losing him on waivers, or having to move somebody else. It'll be the kind of thing where if there are guys who are just not contributing at all, then around the midpoint of the season, they'll start fussing around, bring in Ho-Sang, maybe dump Ritchie. etc; leaving 20 games of runway before the trade deadline to see whether he's a solution or not.

Of course, 3-4 injuries and that may force the Leafs to do it.

 

[notDatsyuk]

The Leafs have a glut of wingers who are all somewhat similar to Ho-Sang's overall calibre... Bunting, Ritchie, Engvall, Mikheyev, Kase, Simmonds. With Marner, Nylander, and Kerfoot on the wing, there really isn't a spot to fit him in at this point.

That being said, we are still only at the 1/4 mark of the season, and while the Leafs likely aren't thrilled with what they're getting from those 6 wingers, I think they're probably still holding out some hope that Bunting can find his earlier season form, Kase can continue to produce in that crucial defensive capacity, that Ritchie may one day pull his head out of his ###, and that when Mikheyev returns, he shows some of the pre-wrist injury form.

They're going to give these guys another 15-20 games to see what they have before they start tinkering, simply because signing Ho-Sang to an NHL deal means risking losing him on waivers, or having to move somebody else. It'll be the kind of thing where if there are guys who are just not contributing at all, then around the midpoint of the season, they'll start fussing around, bring in Ho-Sang, maybe dump Ritchie. etc; leaving 20 games of runway before the trade deadline to see whether he's a solution or not.

Of course, 3-4 injuries and that may force the Leafs to do it.

I don't think it's at all right to put him in the same category as Bunting, Ritchie, Engvall, Mikheyev, Kase, Simmonds, or Kerfoot.

Ho-Sang absolutely has the talent to be a top six forward in the NHL, and a top line player on probably half the teams.

His problem has always been attitude. Doesn't want to work, doesn't want to listen, doesn't want to attend to defence, doesn't want to play less than twenty minutes per game, and so on.

He has professed a changed demeanor, and has been given a chance in the AHL to prove it.

Let's hope he has genuinely mended his ways.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I think the easiest way to fit him onto the roster is to slide 88 to LW. Otherwise he's not beating any of 88, Marner or Kase in the top 9.

 

[justloveleafs]

If Kasee's noggin survives that fast slide into the goal post....It will be more money for the guy, if not, man, the guy was charging the net with no real reason to, game was in the bag.

Yeah he is nuts, but I would say Glenn Andersen was number one for the hairy sac award. Kase, number two.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

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

I like the lineup but flip Bunting/Ritchie....and look to move both him and Kerfoot for more bottom 6 capable wingers.

 

[seanlinden]

I don't think it's at all right to put him in the same category as Bunting, Ritchie, Engvall, Mikheyev, Kase, Simmonds, or Kerfoot.

Ho-Sang absolutely has the talent to be a top six forward in the NHL, and a top line player on probably half the teams.

His problem has always been attitude. Doesn't want to work, doesn't want to listen, doesn't want to attend to defence, doesn't want to play less than twenty minutes per game, and so on.

He has professed a changed demeanor, and has been given a chance in the AHL to prove it.

Let's hope he has genuinely mended his ways.

I think you're really stretching it with that comment. The guy has played a total of 53 NHL games and is 25 years old. Bunting, Ritchie, Mikheyev, Kase, Simmonds & Kerfoot have all shown themselves to be top 6 forwards (or close to it) in varying degrees. Don't forget, Kase scored 20 in 66 his sophomore year. Ritchie has a couple of 15-goal seasons. Mikheyev was a quality top 6 forward for his 1st half-year in the league. Simmonds is a 5-time 28+ goal scorer. Bunting has 15 goals in 46 NHL games.

Lumping Ho-Sang into that group is the absolutely correct thing to do. It's a compliment to Ho-Sang, if anything.

 

[zeke]

Ho-Sang being a bit under a PPG in the AHL at age 25 isn't exactly overwhelming production.

Petan was well over a PPG for us in the AHL at ages 24 and 25.

Guys like Kase and Ritchie and Malgin were near or at PPG in the AHL at age 20-21.

Engvall was over a PPG in the AHl at age 23.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I think you're really stretching it with that comment. The guy has played a total of 53 NHL games and is 25 years old. Bunting, Ritchie, Mikheyev, Kase, Simmonds & Kerfoot have all shown themselves to be top 6 forwards (or close to it) in varying degrees. Don't forget, Kase scored 20 in 66 his sophomore year. Ritchie has a couple of 15-goal seasons. Mikheyev was a quality top 6 forward for his 1st half-year in the league. Simmonds is a 5-time 28+ goal scorer. Bunting has 15 goals in 46 NHL games.

Lumping Ho-Sang into that group is the absolutely correct thing to do. It's a compliment to Ho-Sang, if anything.

I think we're looking at different things: stats and ability.

Personally, I'm a believer in hard work, and I would rather have any of those players in the Leafs lineup over what Ho-Sang has shown.

I'm not being critical of them, but those players, particularly at this stage in their careers, are realistically middle six players. Ho-Sang, if he ever shows half the dedication and work ethic of those players, would be easily top six or even top line.

He is very talented, but has always shown that 'me first' attitude that drives coaches and teammates crazy. He says he has changed, but until I'm convinced of it, I'd rather not see him in a Leafs uniform.

 

[BlueForever75]

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

Where does Micheyev fit when hes back soon?

 

[DraftSchmaft]

For sure a matter of 'when' and not 'if' at this point. A lot of teams will line up to give him a shot if we don't want to after these 8 goals in 13 games, one of them displaying elite NHL hands.

 

[Fogelhund]

It's 13 games though. Obviously he's got some talent, and at some point he's going to be given a chance. But it's just 13 games.... Let him continue to work on the areas of his game, that need refinement... That's ok. In all probability, he would give us the opportunity to match other offers.