They absolutely have to protect Brown - he's on pace for 20 goals in his rookie season, you don't let that go.

Personally I expose Komarov. He doesn't look like the same player this season, and is now taking a spot with Kadri based on reputation and not performance.
- lumlums

So Leipsic and Komarov left unprotected?
I think Komarov's (and Martin) is a guy that Babcock wants to have for playoffs for sure.
These are guys that step it up 2 levels during playoff time - you need them to win a cup.

Quite an effortless release too... it's pretty impressive
- TheMussel

For sure. His shot was always one of the things that was listed a strength for him

So Leipsic and Komarov left unprotected?
I think Komarov's (and Martin) is a guy that Babcock wants to have for playoffs for sure.
These are guys that step it up 2 levels during playoff time - you need them to win a cup.
- MaximusAurelius

Yeah, you don't just get rid of an all-star like Komarov

"Ottawa, which is already without forward Bobby Ryan because of an injured finger, also lost three more key forwards — Mike Hoffman, Tommy Wingels and Mark Stone — against Winnipeg."



- systemtool

At least they still have Laine.

"Ottawa, which is already without forward Bobby Ryan because of an injured finger, also lost three more key forwards — Mike Hoffman, Tommy Wingels and Mark Stone — against Winnipeg."



- systemtool

wait, i reread that and noticed they have wingels listed as a key forward.

LEAFS are in a better situation apparently

So Leipsic and Komarov left unprotected?
I think Komarov's (and Martin) is a guy that Babcock wants to have for playoffs for sure.
These are guys that step it up 2 levels during playoff time - you need them to win a cup.
- MaximusAurelius

No, you need the best players out there. *Grit* means nothing if they can't handle the puck properly. If Komarov had even Bozak's hands this year, he'd likely have another 5 goals at least, probably more - and Bozak doesn't have particularly good hands under pressure

Leipsic and Rychel have 40 and 38 games remaining to need protection, so they won't make that (unless playoff games count) so may not need to be protected.

That said, if we have to expose 3 and 1 I expose Komarov, Martin, Froese (Resigned to 1 year deal) and Marincin.

No, you need the best players out there. *Grit* means nothing if they can't handle the puck properly. If Komarov had even Bozak's hands this year, he'd likely have another 5 goals at least, probably more - and Bozak doesn't have particularly good hands under pressure

Leipsic and Rychel have 40 and 38 games remaining to need protection, so they won't make that (unless playoff games count) so may not need to be protected.

That said, if we have to expose 3 and 1 I expose Komarov, Martin, Froese (Resigned to 1 year deal) and Marincin.
- lumlums

I always read it like this as well.
Then realised that the 'games remaining' were re 'qualify exposure requirements' (so minimum of 2 fw) BUT all of the players not exempt (due to too junior) can still be picked up. So that means even if Leipsic and Rychel don't play any games in NHL, they can still be picked up by LV.
That's why I still think Leafs could make an important move.
If not, it's quite probable one of those would be gone in expansion draft (surely LV will take them over Marincin/Marchenko..).

No, you need the best players out there. *Grit* means nothing if they can't handle the puck properly. If Komarov had even Bozak's hands this year, he'd likely have another 5 goals at least, probably more - and Bozak doesn't have particularly good hands under pressure

Leipsic and Rychel have 40 and 38 games remaining to need protection, so they won't make that (unless playoff games count) so may not need to be protected.

That said, if we have to expose 3 and 1 I expose Komarov, Martin, Froese (Resigned to 1 year deal) and Marincin.
- lumlums

Rychel needs protection, 3rd year pro.

Especially a Melnyk is the cheapest (frank) in the league
- lumlums

Quite an effortless release too... it's pretty impressive
- TheMussel

love effortless releases

I saw since returning from injury Ben Smith not only has the worst possession numbers for the Leaf's centers but also the worst FACEOFF % by a fair margin. What the hell is it with this guy being on the team.
- iTOLDu

get his games so he can count as 1 of the exposed we need

sign him cheap

put him on waivers when LV doesn't take him.

The end.

Kadri named one of the three stars of the week

get his games so he can count as 1 of the exposed we need

sign him cheap

put him on waivers when LV doesn't take him.

The end.

- Garnie

NO!


Mainly because he seems to have incriminating photos of Babcock, so him being under contract means that he will get played

Komarov won't be left unprotected.

2nd most ice among forwards, he's Babcocks guy....its not about scoring it's about keeping the puck out of our net with him.

NO!


Mainly because he seems to have incriminating photos of Babcock, so him being under contract means that he will get played
- lumlums

I don't think so...he's been losing draws lately and hasnt been the best...I can see Babs bringing the Goat or Froese back up....but who knows.

I always read it like this as well.
Then realised that the 'games remaining' were re 'qualify exposure requirements' (so minimum of 2 fw) BUT all of the players not exempt (due to too junior) can still be picked up. So that means even if Leipsic and Rychel don't play any games in NHL, they can still be picked up by LV.
That's why I still think Leafs could make an important move.
If not, it's quite probable one of those would be gone in expansion draft (surely LV will take them over Marincin/Marchenko..).
- MaximusAurelius

Maybe they trade Bozak and Komorov after the season and protect both Rychel and Leipsic.

Komarov won't be left unprotected.

2nd most ice among forwards, he's Babcocks guy....its not about scoring it's about keeping the puck out of our net with him.
- Garnie

Not sure that's the coaches call.

Not sure that's the coaches call.
- bobbyisno1

Not sure you wanna piss off you $5m/yr coach just yet.

I'd think he has some say.....but you may be right...Lou just says (frank) you Bab's and trades Komarov for a 14th rounder.

Not sure you wanna piss off you $5m/yr coach just yet.

I'd think he has some say.....but you may be right...Lou just says (frank) you Bab's and trades Komarov for a 14th rounder.
- Garnie

Typical Leafer, always overvaluing.

I doubt there will be a lot of nhl trades this trading deadline by the Leafs or majority of teams. There just doesn't seem to be much appetite for rentals or giving up draft picks (even this draft doesn't appear to be very deep).

The bye weeks are a pain for fantasy leagues. It will be three weeks in a row where I only have 2-3 nights when I have a full roster playing. Couple nights with only 1 or 2 players.

Oh well. Quiet day. Where is a Lucas article to enlighten us?

I don't think so...he's been losing draws lately and hasnt been the best...I can see Babs bringing the Goat or Froese back up....but who knows.
- Garnie

So why hasn't it happened?

And why is Smith still being put out there when we're trying to protect a lead?

So why hasn't it happened?

And why is Smith still being put out there when we're trying to portect a lead?
- lumlums

Because portection is needed...

Maybe they trade Bozak and Komorov after the season and protect both Rychel and Leipsic.
- bobbyisno1

Still have to meet minimum exposure rules:

Player Exposure Requirements
* All Clubs must meet the following minimum requirements regarding players exposed for selection in the Expansion Draft:

i) One defenseman who is a) under contract in 2017-18 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.

ii) Two forwards who are a) under contract in 2017-18 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.

iii) One goaltender who is under contract in 2017-18 or will be a restricted free agent at the expiration of his current contract immediately prior to 2017-18. If the club elects to make a restricted free agent goaltender available in order to meet this requirement, that goaltender must have received his qualifying offer prior to the submission of the club's protected list.

* Players with potential career-ending injuries who have missed more than the previous 60 consecutive games (or who otherwise have been confirmed to have a career-threatening injury) may not be used to satisfy a club's player exposure requirements, unless approval is received from the NHL. Such players also may be deemed exempt from selection by the League.

So why hasn't it happened?

And why is Smith still being put out there when we're trying to portect a lead?
- lumlums

I guess nobody wins every draw....he may have some bad games but I guess Bab's thinks he's the best choice.....myself I'd be putting Bozak out there. I have faith in Babs, he's doing it for some reason or another.

Typical Leafer, always overvaluing.
- bobbyisno1