I literally have no idea why we still have Leivo. Don't think he fits anywhere and Babcock doesn't seem to like him. Maybe he'll play the end of the year should JVR get moved. I think Leivo will be traded though. Bit of a minor deal. Leivo for bottom pairing pk dman
- walshyleafsfan

such a waste of a talent if you ask me, babs is losing it, he does nothing wrong

what i hate is how leivo is not in the lineup when he produces....
- Matthewz1992_

I agree. I don't know why they keep him since they have Kap, Sosh + others in the wings. Just trade him for a 2nd round pick and be down with it.

Bring back Colton Orr.

What could be better than being good and beating people up simultaneously
- Bigzby

I'm afraid those days are gone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2eJrvzRxk0

Mike Augello: Leafs Laich-ing the return from trade with Capitals

"Laich-ing the return"

"Laich-ing"

I see what you did there lmfaooooooooooo

B
Of a bigger concern is we need penalty killing dman, which implies Marincin has a spot on the bottom paring this year.

Gardiner and Carrick are unable to kill penalties and i'd rather Zaitsev didn't. I also don't want Rielly on the 1st PK unit.

If it were down to me, we'd resign Polak for a year or two (if he proves he's healthy).

Either way, our PK will struggle a ton more this year without the much hated pairing of Hunwick and Polak
- walshyleafsfan

hainsey should be a good replacement on the pk for one of hunwick and polak.

i do think polak will be back.

Rookie game tomorrow night!!!
- burn

Let's hope the boys are in good shape for camp!

such a waste of a talent if you ask me, babs is losing it, he does nothing wrong
- Matthewz1992_

I trust Babcock. I trust the whole management team. It feels weird and wrong, but i trust them nonetheless.

I just don't see where Leivo fits in this team going forward.

He's not good enough defensively for a shutdown line role. And he doesn't have a complete guy for what the top should look like in a couple of years. Unless we kind of Panik him with Kane and Toews type of thing.

Maybe a 4th line role? He can't kill penalties, so i'd rather not have him there.

He just doesn't offer enough at anything to have a specific role. Maybe he's happy being a bit part player without being able to be sent up and down?

hainsey should be a good replacement on the pk for one of hunwick and polak.

i do think polak will be back.
- Tumbleweed

Agreed.

So far it looks like
Hainsey *****
Rielly *****

As of now that's Marincin and Zaitsev. Not looking great at all

Because i look at players attributes other than goals/points.

It's still a bit of a holding pattern for this season. 2018-19 is where things really kick off IMO. I'd prefer this as i lineup (for 217-18):

Hyman Matthews Nylander
JVR Bozak Marner
Marleau Kadri Komarov/Brown (preferably Komarov)
Martin Moore Komarov/Brown (preferably Brown)

Of a bigger concern is we need penalty killing dman, which implies Marincin has a spot on the bottom paring this year.

Gardiner and Carrick are unable to kill penalties and i'd rather Zaitsev didn't. I also don't want Rielly on the 1st PK unit.

If it were down to me, we'd resign Polak for a year or two (if he proves he's healthy).

Either way, our PK will struggle a ton more this year without the much hated pairing of Hunwick and Polak
- walshyleafsfan

I'm looking t more than goals and pts too. Best player need to play, that how you become good, you don't force feed weaker players and Ho.dbetter better players. Just makes no sense

I don't think the pk will suffer without polak and hunwick. They didn't do anything extraordinary. They won't be missed Imo.

I trust Babcock. I trust the whole management team. It feels weird and wrong, but i trust them nonetheless.

I just don't see where Leivo fits in this team going forward.

He's not good enough defensively for a shutdown line role. And he doesn't have a complete guy for what the top should look like in a couple of years. Unless we kind of Panik him with Kane and Toews type of thing.

Maybe a 4th line role? He can't kill penalties, so i'd rather not have him there.

He just doesn't offer enough at anything to have a specific role. Maybe he's happy being a bit part player without being able to be sent up and down?
- walshyleafsfan

he seems like a pro. i doubt he'll complain publicly like corrado did. he'll patiently wait for his chance.

i don't think the leafs rush to move him. he works hard when he gets in the lineup.

but i do agree, he's not good defensively. that's why he's not in the lineup consistently.

I can understand your reasoning. Hyman is very good defensively and at digging in the corners. What he is missing though, is dynamic offensive ability, which Marleau has. Hyman will be a front line pk specialist and should play on the 3rd or 4th line. He can move up if there are injuries (and there probably will be) I don't think the Leafs will trade JVR, but Bozak will probably be traded. JVR may be moved at the deadline but the Leafs will be looking for something worthwhile coming back. And I agree that a top 4 d-man is a pipe dream. Draft and keep trying to sign undrafted d-men.

Here's the problem with moving JVR - let's suppose the Leafs make the playoffs, how much money is it worth to the Leafs to get into the 2nd round? I'm not certain, but I would guess tens of millions of $'s. Is it worth moving JVR and a shot at that for a late first rounder, a second and a mid range prospect? I'm not sure, especially when you look at the type of player typically drafted there, someone like Gauthier or Rychel. JVR's replacement should be a player of similar talent.
- winsix

His name is Kapanen or Leivo.

Trading JVR would not be an issue and since everybody is thinking Hyman stays on the first line....which he shouldn't.....Marleau is around too.

If there is a JVR Trade:

Hyman, Matthews, Nylander
Kap/Leivo, Bozak, Marner
Marleau, Kadri, Brown
Martin, Moore, Komarov

The way I would want it:

Marleau, Matthews, Nylander
Kap/Leivo, Bozak, Marner
Komarov, Kadri, Brown
Martin, Moore, Hyman

NO JVR Trade:

Marleau, Matthews, Nylander
JVR, Bozak, Marner
Komarov, Kadri, Brown
Martin, Moore, Hyman

When we trade/lose JVR and Bozak and don't re-sign a few others:

Marleau, Matthews, Marner
Kapanen, Nylander, Brown
Leivo, Kadri, Komarov
Rychel, Moore, Hyman


Just my humble opinion and players that I like getting a shot in the line up full time finally.

Hockey time tomorrow boys!!!

His name is Kapanen or Leivo.

Trading JVR would not be an issue and since everybody is thinking Hyman stays on the first line....which he shouldn't.....Marleau is around too.

If there is a JVR Trade:

Hyman, Matthews, Nylander
Kap/Leivo, Bozak, Marner
Marleau, Kadri, Brown
Martin, Moore, Komarov

The way I would want it:

Marleau, Matthews, Nylander
Kap/Leivo, Bozak, Marner
Komarov, Kadri, Brown
Martin, Moore, Hyman

NO JVR Trade:

Marleau, Matthews, Nylander
JVR, Bozak, Marner
Komarov, Kadri, Brown
Martin, Moore, Hyman

When we trade/lose JVR and Bozak and don't re-sign a few others:

Marleau, Matthews, Marner
Kapanen, Nylander, Brown
Leivo, Kadri, Komarov
Rychel, Moore, Hyman


Just my humble opinion and player that I like getting a shot in the line up full time.

Hockey time tomorrow boys!!!

- underhill14

Good post and I agree with your lineups.

His name is Kapanen or Leivo.

Trading JVR would not be an issue and since everybody is thinking Hyman stays on the first line....which he shouldn't.....Marleau is around too.

If there is a JVR Trade:

Hyman, Matthews, Nylander
Kap/Leivo, Bozak, Marner
Marleau, Kadri, Brown
Martin, Moore, Komarov

The way I would want it:

Marleau, Matthews, Nylander
Kap/Leivo, Bozak, Marner
Komarov, Kadri, Brown
Martin, Moore, Hyman

NO JVR Trade:

Marleau, Matthews, Nylander
JVR, Bozak, Marner
Komarov, Kadri, Brown
Martin, Moore, Hyman

When we trade/lose JVR and Bozak and don't re-sign a few others:

Marleau, Matthews, Marner
Kapanen, Nylander, Brown
Leivo, Kadri, Komarov
Rychel, Moore, Hyman


Just my humble opinion and player that I like getting a shot in the line up full time.

Hockey time tomorrow boys!!!

- underhill14

Yes

Agreed.

So far it looks like
Hainsey *****
Rielly *****

As of now that's Marincin and Zaitsev. Not looking great at all
- walshyleafsfan

polak and marincin fill the roles.

if marincin has a place in the lineup, part of it will be on the pk. as it was last year.

but i'm probably the only one hanging onto the outside chance marincin still has room to improve.

polak and marincin fill the roles.

if marincin has a place in the lineup, part of it will be on the pk. as it was last year.

but i'm probably the only one hanging onto the outside chance marincin still has room to improve.
- Tumbleweed

Please no.

Would rather watch a kid (frank) up and learn than see that bumhole with his pole vault stick (frank) up and not learn.

Please no.

Would rather watch a kid (frank) up and learn than see that bumhole with his pole vault stick (frank) up and not learn.
- underhill14

I still think marincin has the potential to be a good puck mover if he can cut down on the mistakes. I actually really like his underrated ability to hold the blueline in the ozone.

His positioning in the dzone also needs work.

I hope he spent the summer watching film and working on improving his shortcomings. I think he can be good …. But it’s now or never for him. He has to come into camp a better player.

If he doesn’t come into camp better, than one of kids should beat him out for a spot.

If JVR ever scores between his legs, they should lock him up to an 8 year 112mil deal.

I want Kapanen and Leivo to be on the team, but there is no space. Will they play in the minors and get callups? Pressbox won't be a great place for them?
I also can't see the team trading veterans at the trade deadline if they're in a playoff spot, so I don't know how these guys will get to play.

I still think marincin has the potential to be a good puck mover if he can cut down on the mistakes. I actually really like his underrated ability to hold the blueline in the ozone.

His positioning in the dzone also needs work.

I hope he spent the summer watching film and working on improving his shortcomings. I think he can be good …. But it’s now or never for him. He has to come into camp a better player.

If he doesn’t come into camp better, than one of kids should beat him out for a spot.
- Tumbleweed

I don't think he's good enough with the puck to ever become a puck mover. I feel like his best ability is his ability to limit zone entry

I want Kapanen and Leivo to be on the team, but there is no space. Will they play in the minors and get callups? Pressbox won't be a great place for them?
I also can't see the team trading veterans at the trade deadline if they're in a playoff spot, so I don't know how these guys will get to play.
- BestRapperAlive

Injuries and slumps will be more common this season and that's when Kap and Leivo will get their chance. Doubtful that we'll be as fortunate with our injuries as we were last season.

I want Kapanen and Leivo to be on the team, but there is no space. Will they play in the minors and get callups? Pressbox won't be a great place for them?
I also can't see the team trading veterans at the trade deadline if they're in a playoff spot, so I don't know how these guys will get to play.
- BestRapperAlive

leivo will have to clear waivers.

the writing on the wall seems to be kap in the ahl. though if lou goes with the best team like he did last year, maybe they find a way to make it work with kap on the roster.

i could see bozk/jvr traded... but i think you need to replace them with nhl players.

I want Kapanen and Leivo to be on the team, but there is no space. Will they play in the minors and get callups? Pressbox won't be a great place for them?
I also can't see the team trading veterans at the trade deadline if they're in a playoff spot, so I don't know how these guys will get to play.
- BestRapperAlive

I think leivo stays as extra forward, kap and sosh go to the Marlies to get enough playing time.

I think kapanen is ready to play in the nhl full time right now, but because of waivers he goes down.

Injuries and slumps will be more common this season and that's when Kap and Leivo will get their chance. Doubtful that we'll be as fortunate with our injuries as we were last season.
- As_I_See_It

Good point.

Just saw the lineup above with this 2nd line:

Kapanen-Nylander-Brown

I want to see this. Kapanen and Brown are wasted on 3rd/4th lines, they are scorers.

Let's hope the boys are in good shape for camp!



- winsix

I have been trying to get one of our IT guys to workout for years. I didn't think to feed him raw fish..

I want Kapanen and Leivo to be on the team, but there is no space. Will they play in the minors and get callups? Pressbox won't be a great place for them?
I also can't see the team trading veterans at the trade deadline if they're in a playoff spot, so I don't know how these guys will get to play.
- BestRapperAlive

Plus soshnikov is in the mix too. My fear is they bring smith up though.