That’s hilarious. They’re icing the best possible team they can against our tryout team.

I wonder what the motives are? Trying to get a little hype going? By winning a few meaningless games? Because they know there won’t be many wins for them this year?

And by extension, their Canadian team low attendance is going to take a beating for a few years now?
- prock

Isn't the Leafs team playing in Toronto tonight significantly better than the one playing in Ottawa?

hes paid 5.5 million dollars.

he has a history of producing well with high end players, ex. kovalchuck

last year didnt work great with lupul and kadri - is it really that horrible of an idea to try in a pre season game? no need to talk down to me for an idea, cmon dude.
- Lucas Neilson

No, it's not a bad idea at all. For so many reasons.

Why screw with the only proven line we have. Kessel bozak clarkson isnt even a good second line
- Sammich

Because Kessel has a decent history of scoring goals no matter who he's paired with. So, if it works, it won't hurt line 1, and could help line 2 immensely.

What, are you worried we might drop a preseason game because of it?

By "history" you mean one and 1/3 of a season?
- AdamFrench

its better than 0 seasons, no?

No, it's not a bad idea at all. For so many reasons.




Because Kessel has a decent history of scoring goals no matter who he's paired with. So, if it works, it won't hurt line 1, and could help line 2 immensely.

What, are you worried we might drop a preseason game because of it?
- prock

This guy gets it!

Holy poop, it's like the words were there, and you read and understood them. Novel concept for some posters around here

If Lupul stays in front of the net, the odds of that happening are slim.
- Scabeh

Isn't the Leafs team playing in Toronto tonight significantly better than the one playing in Ottawa?
- Pecafan Fan

No, they are both defensively horrible.

Nice try, troll.

No, it's not a bad idea at all. For so many reasons.




Because Kessel has a decent history of scoring goals no matter who he's paired with. So, if it works, it won't hurt line 1, and could help line 2 immensely.

What, are you worried we might drop a preseason game because of it?
- prock

thats what pre season is for, giving things a shot.

not sure when clarkson will be ready for pre season, anyone?

Isn't the Leafs team playing in Toronto tonight significantly better than the one playing in Ottawa?
- Pecafan Fan

Goaltending-wise, not really. I'd take Heeter or Bibeau over Gibson. But it's Reimer at the ACC vs the Sens, so that's something.

I think all of the Home teams just ice better squads for their fans.

thats what pre season is for, giving things a shot.

not sure when clarkson will be ready for pre season, anyone?
- Lucas Neilson

I read somewhere that they said by Wednesday. I have yet to hear anything about it. Hopefully for the next pre-season game

Goaltending-wise, not really. I'd take Heeter or Bibeau over Gibson. But it's Reimer at the ACC vs the Sens, so that's something.

I think all of the Home teams just ice better squads for their fans.
- TheThrill

as they should, their fans have come to watch!

i am just so happy hockey is finally here..

No, they are both defensively horrible.

Nice try, troll.
- Atomic Wedgie

I didn't check the Leafs lineup, but my guess is, both teams will ice a better lineup in front of their crowd.

Randy already screwed with the "proven" line when he took Lupul off it. That seemed to work out.

By the way, JVR-Kadri-Lupul would be a pretty legit line

Drop the Clarkson hate for 5 seconds and look at big picture. They'd have to put their best shutdown lines against those 3 and that would leave Kessel to light up their weaker lines.
- TheThrill

I dont hate clarkson at all. I am one of the few who thinks he should start the season on the second line until he proves otherwise. I don't see kessel being able to do much without any help. If they have to break up the jvr Kessel paring i would like to see lupul moved up. He actually plays lw unlike clarkson.

thats what pre season is for, giving things a shot.

not sure when clarkson will be ready for pre season, anyone?
- Lucas Neilson

They're hopeful for end of the week, at least that is what I remember seeing...

Goaltending-wise, not really. I'd take Heeter or Bibeau over Gibson. But it's Reimer at the ACC vs the Sens, so that's something.

I think all of the Home teams just ice better squads for their fans.
- TheThrill

Yeah. Which makes sense.

I read somewhere that they said by Wednesday. I have yet to hear anything about it. Hopefully for the next pre-season game
- TheThrill

if clarky can get going and bang in 15-20 the leafs overall will be in much much better shape.

i dont care what they do, just get his confidence up and get him going.

Isn't the Leafs team playing in Toronto tonight significantly better than the one playing in Ottawa?
- Pecafan Fan

I have no idea who they’re icing. I’m guessing it’s nowhere close to their best lineup. It certainly hasn’t been for the last few games. The Sens are icing their top pairing, and their entire top line, along with a couple of other guys they plan on leaning heavily against, like Legwand.

I haven’t seen…. Are the Leafs icing Kessel, JVR, Bozak, Kadri, Phaneuf, and Robidas/Polak at home?

They're hopeful for end of the week, at least that is what I remember seeing...
- lumlums

right on, any word on Bozie?

I dont hate clarkson at all. I am one of the few who thinks he should start the season on the second line until he proves otherwise. I don't see kessel being able to do much without any help. If they have to break up the jvr Kessel paring i would like to see lupul moved up. He actually plays lw unlike clarkson.
- Sammich

Fair.

For the record, I'm not necessarily talking about the regular season though. Just trying out combos in the pre-season where poop doesn't matter.

I think Randy alluded to them possibly moving Lupul up to that line in his first presser. Would make some sense to spread scoring around. Kadri with the sweet dishes to JVR all year long

I didn't check the Leafs lineup, but my guess is, both teams will ice a better lineup in front of their crowd.
- Pecafan Fan

So you agree with my post of 10:24?

Excellent.

By this logic, JVR and Kessel can't be seen as playing well together yet either. Nor Lupul and Kessel. Hell, bernier is still unproven as a starter too and Rielly might be a flash in the pan.

"History" ftw
- TheThrill

The one constant is Kessel, so yes.

Bernier is still pretty unproven.

Rielly is also pretty unproven, see Del Zotto, Michael (6th in Norris voting at 22 to a waiver wire player at 24)

I have no idea who they’re icing. I’m guessing it’s nowhere close to their best lineup. It certainly hasn’t been for the last few games. The Sens are icing their top pairing, and their entire top line, along with a couple of other guys they plan on leaning heavily against, like Legwand.

I haven’t seen…. Are the Leafs icing Kessel, JVR, Bozak, Kadri, Phaneuf, and Robidas/Polak at home?
- prock

Bozak and Robidas are still injured, but the rest yes.

Couple pages back has the rosters. The Leafs home roster is much better than their away roster

And where did him playing with crabb get us?
- Sammich

if the second line had been jvr lupul and kadri probably would have gotten us into the playoffs

The one constant is Kessel, so yes.

Bernier is still pretty unproven.

Rielly is also pretty unproven, see Del Zotto, Michael (6th in Norris voting at 22 to a waiver wire player at 24)
- AdamFrench

Ok, I'll allow it.

Then what is a reasonable sample size to you?

if the second line had been jvr lupul and kadri probably would have gotten us into the playoffs
- jribout

OHHHHH SNAP!

I have no idea who they’re icing. I’m guessing it’s nowhere close to their best lineup. It certainly hasn’t been for the last few games. The Sens are icing their top pairing, and their entire top line, along with a couple of other guys they plan on leaning heavily against, like Legwand.

I haven’t seen…. Are the Leafs icing Kessel, JVR, Bozak, Kadri, Phaneuf, and Robidas/Polak at home?
- prock