|
Early returns in on Leafs rearguards |
|
|
|
|
|
For the latest Leafs updates or on Twitter
The fight for spots on the Toronto Maple Leafs blueline is inconclusive after the first few rounds, but with only 10 days and six pre-season games left before head coach Mike Babcock will make a decision, first impressions have to be considered important.
“I’m just going to keep watching.” Babcock said following a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. “I don’t have to make any decisions tonight. I’m going to watch (Andreas Borgman), (Calle) Rosen and (Travis) Dermott a ton and then it looks to me like they’ll decide.”
Borgman got a taste of NHL action and was feisty in his debut. The 6’0”, 203 lb blueliner earned the reputation for being physical in his rookie SHL season with HV71 and displayed that on Tuesday, tussling with Mike Blunden after hitting the Senators forward as he entered the Toronto zone. The 22-year-old was -2 on the night, but played over 18 minutes and the point on the Leafs second power play unit.
A defenseman whose spot on the roster could have a lot to do with the success or failure of Toronto’s young group of blueliners is Martin Marincin. The Leafs head coach indicated that he needs to show more consistency in this camp or could be overtaken.
“(Marincin) can really skate, can pass the puck, does a lot of things, but he’s never really grabbed hold of (a job) yet. If you don’t eventually grab hold of it, you are not in the league anymore.” Babcock said. “Marty’s in a situation, with Rosen, Borgman and Carrick here, he’s battling for a job. One thing about the players, they’re smart, they know what’s going on. He knows the situation he’s in and so he’s got to have a good training camp."
The lanky Slovak is prone to costly gaffes (which was proven by the OT game winner in Game 6 vs Washington) and did not do himself any favors against the Sens, as an early turnover exiting the Toronto zone led to Logan Brown’s power play goal.
Dermott and Rosen were singled out by Babcock for their performance in Kanata on Monday, but will have to keep making favorable impressions on the head coach to make the 23-man roster.
Borgman, Dermott, Rosen and Marincin are all left handed shots and are likely battling for the left spot on the bottom pairing, while Rosen’s versatility could also challenge Connor Carrick’s spot on the right side or taking Marincin’s spot as the extra defender.
“I actually played the right side the last two years (in the SHL). For me, it doesn’t matter.” Rosen said in Niagara Falls last Sunday. “I played the left side yesterday, I played the right side today. I will play where the coach tells me to play.”
Veteran Roman Polak has yet to see any game action after being signed to a professional tryout last week. The 31-year-old skated in drills at training camp last weekend, but did not participate in scrimmages and did not play in either game against Ottawa.
While Polak could play in one of the remaining six pre-season games, the veteran blueliner’s worth is well known to Babcock and the club and his presence has to be considered an insurance policy in case no one steps forward and takes the jobs available.
It is possible that the Leafs keep the veteran blueliner through training camp and into the regular season (as they did with Brandon Prust last year) to give them more time to evaluate.
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»