Assuming Marner stays, you will have Matthews Marner and Nylander almost certainly.

Soshnikov, Hyman, Brown maybe. Have to figure at least one sticks. I don't see Kapanen making it.

So at least 4 rookies up front. You probably don't want more than that.
- Aetherial

I think Brown makes it for sure. Babcock said that he was good enough last year, so he will be this time around. Marner/Nylander/Matthews/Brown/Soshnikov are my bet, with Rychel being there too as a very young guy if not a true rookie. On the back end there'll be Zeitsev (a rookie by the "Panarin" definition) along with Carrick and possibly Valiev as 7D... it's gonna be a young team any way that you slice it...

Matthews is a two-way player... Marner also has some Datsyuk-like qualities.. Im not so worried about them. They both have off the charts IQ and are being coached by Babcock.. Just keep sosh away from them, i think hes the biggest liability
- Tanooki

If Sosh doesn't do his job, he won't be playing. The Leafs are deep enough to have the option to send him down. I don't imagine Babcock will settle for guys not trying to do what they are supposed to.

I see at least one vet on each line (Stammer, Kadri, Laich, Greening, Michalek, Lupul, JVR what have you).

I think Brown, Hyman, Sosh are locks to make the team barring a poor performance in camp. They have played more pro hockey than most of the other prospects. Nylander Marner Matthews are guarantees in my head but you never know. Fill in the rest with kids if some of the vets end up on Robidas island.
- TheMussel

There is an abundance of forwards which will make this camp and pre season very interesting.

... no matter how you slice it, it is going to be a long season, with a lot of very young players getting significant minutes.
- Aetherial

I dont agree. It's going to be fun watching this team grow. After the seasons this team has had recently it's actually not going to feel long. At least I hope.

Holy poop
- RickJames77

Smaller guy with soft, lightning fast hands....

Holy poop
- RickJames77

hes very tricky..

he's not datsyuk, but plays a similar game.

I dont agree. It's going to be fun watching this team grow. After the seasons this team has had recently it's actually not going to feel long. At least I hope.
- systemtool

I meant in terms of results.

I am going to really enjoy watching this season.

Smaller guy with soft, lightning fast hands....




- lumlums

Gets a big shot off every once in awhile too I bet.

This makes me happy.
- leafer89

no Sosh?

Leafs will make the playoffs and all the worried fans will just have to stfu..
- Tanooki

I honestly think the Leafs have a good offense, especially if all 3 kids (Nylander, Marner, Matthews) are in the NHL.

But that D corps.....

All of this tax talk is forgetting one major component....Stamkos does NOT get taxed like a 40 hour a week employee.

Stamkos is a corporation. At some level. His real estate holdings, himself personally, in some way he is sheltered by corporate tax laws.

For all we know his accountant has him completely structured as a corporation at the top allowing for all sorts of different deductions, property ownership deductions, expenses....blah, blah, blah.

There was an article posted months ago that explain exactly the tax issue being negligible between Tampa and Toronto.

It's a different level of wealth people.

Mitt Romney had to expose he pays only 10% tax. It's this type of accounting practice that keeps the wealthy, wealthy.

Also and if anything at all, wealthy people will pay themselves through their corporations a middle class, taxable income per year to keep it all legal.

FOR THE LAST TIME, THERE IS NO TAX ISSUE WITH STAMKOS SIGNING IN TORONTO. None that would make a squirt of piss difference to how many houses, suits or cars he buys and gifts to his 3rd cousin in PEI.

His decision will not be based on taxes. Money, perhaps, but not the tax ramifications. There are way too many ways around it.
- underhill14

Excellent post and very true. Very few people in Stamkos position pay anywhere near maximum taxes relative to their earnings.

Smaller guy with soft, lightning fast hands....




- lumlums

Even if Marner plays really well in camp, he will be their toughest decision. I hope he makes it, it will be nice to see skill after the last few years.

Smaller guy with soft, lightning fast hands....




- lumlums

That was more so in response to the fact that the post seemed to be dedicated to players two way abilities. In that sense, let's hold off on that comparison for 5+ years

If Sosh doesn't do his job, he won't be playing. The Leafs are deep enough to have the option to send him down. I don't imagine Babcock will settle for guys not trying to do what they are supposed to.
- Aetherial

Oh for sure.. I like the little ruskies game, but he's gotta play better defence..

I honestly think the Leafs have a good offense, especially if all 3 kids (Nylander, Marner, Matthews) are in the NHL.

But that D corps.....
- Scabeh

Concerning but backed up by a goaltender who isn't ethereal this time around

I dont agree. It's going to be fun watching this team grow. After the seasons this team has had recently it's actually not going to feel long. At least I hope.
- systemtool

Its going to be (frank)ing awesome..

Weren't the Leafs like .500 after bringing up Will??

Now add Matthews, Zaitsev, Carrick, Marner, Andersen and they'll still supposed to suck??

it doesnt add up.

Concerning but backed up by a goaltender who isn't ethereal this time around
- TheMussel

I like Andersen.... good young goaltender with what seems a bright future.

But he wasn't THAT great with Anaheim who have a much stronger lineup on defense.

I don't know how he'll do in Toronto.

I honestly think the Leafs have a good offense, especially if all 3 kids (Nylander, Marner, Matthews) are in the NHL.

But that D corps.....
- Scabeh

They are going to have to play defence as a five man unit, they are not deep enough yet at D.

I like Andersen.... good young goaltender with what seems a bright future.

But he wasn't THAT great with Anaheim who have a much stronger lineup on defense.

I don't know how he'll do in Toronto.
- Scabeh

playoffs when it counts he was magic. .946 I think with a shutout

Even if Marner plays really well in camp, he will be their toughest decision. I hope he makes it, it will be nice to see skill after the last few years.
- LeafMan

you'd think they at least would give him 9 games... i think that'll be the real test.. If he produces then he stays.

you'd think they at least would give him 9 games... i think that'll be the real test.. If he produces then he stays.
- Tanooki

Marner will waste a year of his hockey life if he doesn't stick with the Leafs, I think they have to!

plus...the #markham connection

you'd think they at least would give him 9 games... i think that'll be the real test.. If he produces then he stays.
- Tanooki

If Marner plays on a line with anyone that has a decent shot, he's going to be an assist machine.

Komarov-Matthews-Marner

I honestly think the Leafs have a good offense, especially if all 3 kids (Nylander, Marner, Matthews) are in the NHL.

But that D corps.....
- Scabeh

I just hope Zaits can be our Kling..

Marner will waste a year of his hockey life if he doesn't stick with the Leafs, I think they have to!

plus...the #markham connection
- Lucas.Neilson

hes gotta stay..

no Marnexit!

I just hope Zaits can be our Kling..
- Tanooki

he has an absolute cannon of a shot