Mike Augello: Leafs Q & A – August 21st Edition

One of these days I'm gonna ask a legit hockey question.

Unlikely

i really do think that there will only be 2 or 3 rookies (nylander and matthews being 2 of them) up front

if lupul is healthy they will need to play him, same with michalek, greening and laich in hopes to see them flipped at the deadline

its gonna be another long ass season imo

i really do think that there will only be 2 or 3 rookies (nylander and matthews being 2 of them) up front

if lupul is healthy they will need to play him, same with michalek, greening and laich in hopes to see them flipped at the deadline

its gonna be another long ass season imo
- Dozzer

You think Marner goes back to the O? It won't help him. That's like sending Vesey back to the NCAA and have him dominate, yet again, only as a 24 year old.


Seriously though, what other options are there for Marner? He's not going to learn a single thing in the O that he doesn't already kn-O. He'd learn more with just practising with the Leafs and watching half the games in the press box.

Yeah,I just honestly don't know how Marner doesn't make the team, same with Brown but i guess we will see.

I have to agree. Based on the offseason signings of Holland, Loevo etc. Seems they are content to add a few at a time. Can't say I disagree with it, just lots of kids I want to see play and develop chemistry night in night out. Couple years and this team will look so different. Next season we lose a bunch of contracts, should open up more spots and stagger resigning contracts.

Edit: quotes not working this was in agreement with Dozzer. ..not something he's used to.

Yeah,I just honestly don't know how Marner doesn't make the team, same with Brown but i guess we will see.
- ClarksonDavid

Yes

I have to agree. Based on the offseason signings of Holland, Loevo etc. Seems they are content to add a few at a time. Can't say I disagree with it, just lots of kids I want to see play and develop chemistry night in night out. Couple years and this team will look so different. Next season we lose a bunch of contracts, should open up more spots and stagger resigning contracts.

Edit: quotes not working this was in agreement with Dozzer. ..not something he's used to.
- LifeLongLeafer

Not working at all.

i really do think that there will only be 2 or 3 rookies (nylander and matthews being 2 of them) up front

if lupul is healthy they will need to play him, same with michalek, greening and laich in hopes to see them flipped at the deadline

its gonna be another long ass season imo

Greening spent most of last year in the AHL, so why not again this year?

Lupul and Michalek are both health risks. Put together both of them might play 70 games.

Unless they completely blow it both Brown and Marner will be on the team along with one of Soshnikov/Hyman/Leivo.

i really do think that there will only be 2 or 3 rookies (nylander and matthews being 2 of them) up front

if lupul is healthy they will need to play him, same with michalek, greening and laich in hopes to see them flipped at the deadline

its gonna be another long ass season imo
- Dozzer

Exactly this. Buckle in

Greening spent most of last year in the AHL, so why not again this year?

Lupul and Michalek are both health risks. Put together both of them might play 70 games.

Unless they completely blow it both Brown and Marner will be on the team along with one of Soshnikov/Hyman/Leivo.
- H8terade

I think you'll see Matthews, Nylander, Carrick, Soshnikov and maybe Hyman on the big club. And lots of Greening, Michalek, Lupul (until injured), Hunwick, Polak, Laich.

I think you'll see Matthews, Nylander, Carrick, Soshnikov and maybe Hyman on the big club. And lots of Greening, Michalek, Lupul (until injured), Hunwick, Polak, Laich.
- walshyleafsfan

I just can't see Marner not being there. Especially considering Babcock and Co aren't worried about his size. Should be interesting, training camp will be good.

It's a really complicated situation. Because the Leafs have been carrying too many one year veteran contracts for the past few years, the one's they needed to flip at TDD for picks to rebuild, that none of the Marlies that needed to get their start have been able to.

For example, Leivo and Brown. Both ready, Brown last year, Leivo probably two years ago.

Neither of them made the team because of PA Parenteau type deals.

So now we have a logjam of forwards that are considered "rookies" because of NHL playing time and not skill or age.

We have to start injecting as much youth as possible or they all will start to be stifled in their development. IMO

We need to let Marner play BUT he is the youngest so sending him back is the easiest...I don't think that's the best idea for his development but it's the best idea for the business of the team.

They way I see it, we need to make room for:

Matthews
Nylander
Marner
Brown
Leivo
Sosh
Hyman

That's not possible for the start of next year but by the end of the season, they should all be on the big club. (Bolded should make the team now.) We need to get rid of the following:

Lupul
Michalek
Greening
Bozak
Holland


And for the record, I have a problem with taking too long to develop forwards. They ripen faster and stifle earlier. D can be slow roasted. G takes crock pot time.

Norm Wilner
@normwilner
Audiences numbers for the Hip concert last night have been released: 11.7 million viewers in Canada, or roughly one-third of the country.

I just can't see Marner not being there. Especially considering Babcock and Co aren't worried about his size. Should be interesting, training camp will be good.
- ClarksonDavid

Yes it should be. I just don't think Mike wants to deal with 6 or 7 rookies on the team at once. You can't be dedicating your whole time to a mass of kids and basically letting the vets get on with it. I think Marner will get his 9 (maybe), but beyond that I can't see him sticking.

I think the whole rebuilding process they're going through dictates all the vets getting a good amount of ice time in order to shift them for picks. 2017-18 should be a dandy though

I think you'll see Matthews, Nylander, Carrick, Soshnikov and maybe Hyman on the big club. And lots of Greening, Michalek, Lupul (until injured), Hunwick, Polak, Laich.
- walshyleafsfan

Brown and marner better . Why these guys and not those two?

I just can't see Marner not being there. Especially considering Babcock and Co aren't worried about his size. Should be interesting, training camp will be good.
- ClarksonDavid

We'll see in camp, but I agree.

I disagree. They don't need to play any of those 3. Babcock said chances are high Marner makes the team. When Lou was asked about lupul playing this year he didn't seem so optimistic...that's enough to show you thier plans right there.

Edit
Don't know why quotes aren't working but this is to dozzer

Yes it should be. I just don't think Mike wants to deal with 6 or 7 rookies on the team at once. You can't be dedicating your whole time to a mass of kids and basically letting the vets get on with it. I think Marner will get his 9 (maybe), but beyond that I can't see him sticking.

I think the whole rebuilding process they're going through dictates all the vets getting a good amount of ice time in order to shift them for picks. 2017-18 should be a dandy though
- walshyleafsfan

Part of me agrees, part disagrees but only when it comes to Marner.

Marner needs to be on the team next year. Sheltered, limited, shipped out the WJC....whatever the case but he should not be in London for 1 more game.

Matthews
Nylander
Marner

Those three for sure, Babcock can handle those 3 at once. Everyone else needs to be put in as other vets move out BUT we need to keep a nice vet presence for the next few years. Let's not pull an Edmonton.

You think Marner goes back to the O? It won't help him. That's like sending Vesey back to the NCAA and have him dominate, yet again, only as a 24 year old.


Seriously though, what other options are there for Marner? He's not going to learn a single thing in the O that he doesn't already kn-O. He'd learn more with just practising with the Leafs and watching half the games in the press box.
- weirdoh

I agree that he has nothing to learn in the OHL but it probably wouldn't hurt his development either. He won't just stop being able to learn because he spent one too many years in the OHL.

So ideally he'll be in the NHL but I don't think we really need to worry if he only gets 9 games here or something.

Yes it should be. I just don't think Mike wants to deal with 6 or 7 rookies on the team at once. You can't be dedicating your whole time to a mass of kids and basically letting the vets get on with it. I think Marner will get his 9 (maybe), but beyond that I can't see him sticking.

I think the whole rebuilding process they're going through dictates all the vets getting a good amount of ice time in order to shift them for picks. 2017-18 should be a dandy though
- walshyleafsfan

They are all ready. They were all ready last year except for Marner. But I think it's obvious he is ready.

And about what you said about Babcock not wanting to have 6 rookies at once. Well in 2013-14 he deployed Tatar Nyquist Jurco Dekyser Glendenning and many many more all at once.

Does anyone think Brown might see more time on the club this year than Nylander?


Here is my logic, higher end talent guys seem to be a bit lazier when transitioning to the NHL. The consistency thing. I use Kadri as an example. It takes a few shots in the ego to really get them to buy in to hard work.

Brown on the other hand, is the hard worker that doesn't "appear" to be as talented. He is very use to working his ass off every night.

Not sure it would surprise me to see Nylander get sent down. (Although maybe him and Babs worked all that out last year since it looks like he's been working out like a beast.)

Does anyone think Brown might see more time on the club this year than Nylander?


Here is my logic, higher end talent guys seem to be a bit lazier when transitioning to the NHL. The consistency thing. I use Kadri as an example. It takes a few shots in the ego to really get them to buy in to hard work.

Brown on the other hand, is the hard worker that doesn't "appear" to be as talented. He is very use to working his ass off every night.

Not sure it would surprise me to see Nylander get sent down. (Although maybe him and Babs worked all that out last year since it looks like he's been working out like a beast.)
- underhill14

Brown is one of those players that was ready last year. But he didn't help the tank. He will be in the openin lineup barring a bad training camp

.500 ? really?