For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter The Toronto Maple Leafs open their 41-game home schedule against the New York Rangers on Saturday, but in spite of the club opening in impressive fashion with a 7-2 victory in Winnipeg earlier this week, head coach Mike Babcock will be slightly altering his lineup. The Leafs coach chose to start Winkler, MB native Eric Fehr on the fourth line in his home province against the Jets, but former Ranger and Toronto native Dominic Moore will skate between Matt Martin and Connor Brown against New York. Rookie Andreas Borgman scored his first NHL point was +2 in his debut on Wednesday, but the 22-year-old Swede will sit in favor of countryman Calle Rosen. Rosen was paired with Connor Carrick and like Borgman, the speedy blueliner could see some time on special teams, as he participated in power play drills at the club’s morning skate.
@sportingnewsca #Leafs lines at morning skate:
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) October 7, 2017
Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
Marleau-Kadri-Komarov
JVR-Bozak-Marner
Martin-Moore-Brown pic.twitter.com/XToCFisTAv
“You got to get (young players) out there (on the ice), you have to find a way to get them out there.… Babcock said. “You got to win the game, but you got to win the game, but you have to build your product at the same time.… The 23-year-old blueliner is known for his big shot and skating ability and with the more-defensive minded Borgman out of the lineup, it is likely that Morgan Rielly will see time on the penalty kill and less time with the man-advantage. The Leafs went 1-1-1 against Rangers last season, who opened the year in disappointing fashion, losing 4-2 to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. New York is expected to go with Henrik Lundqvist in goal, who has average numbers (15-9-5, 2.72 GAA, .903 save percentage) against Toronto, while the Leafs will start Frederik Andersen. ******* The acquisition of Calvin Pickard has created a slight logjam with the Toronto Marlies, who start the season against the Utica Comets at Ricoh Coliseum on Saturday. McElhinney played well during the exhibition schedule, but the Leafs may be concerned about the club's depth past their NHL tandem.
Garret Sparks put up excellent numbers with the Marlies last year, but missed significant time with a pair of groin injuries, including most of Toronto’s run in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Sparks was re-signed to a two-year, $1.35 Million contract over the summer and was set to split duties with Kasimir Kaskisuo (who spent most of last season in the ECHL), but the addition of Pickard may have the Leafs looking to move a goaltender out.
“We've got to sort (the goaltending situation)out. We like them all to play in the American Hockey League, maybe someone's looking for an AHL goalie and we can get that done as well." Babcock said.
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******