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After the month of August, where nothing of major consequence happens in the hockey world, the rookie tournament for the Toronto Maple Leafs is just five days away and training camp opens in less than two weeks.
Decisions that will be made by head coach Mike Babcock and the management staff led by GM Lou Lamoriello this month that will have an effect on the fortunes of the club for the upcoming season.
It is time to go to the wonderful world of Twitter to answer your questions about the Blue and White.
Are the Leafs going to make any significant moves before opening night?
— Gretzky'sHighStick (@leafschirp) September 3, 2017
A – Significant moves are normally made at the draft or in early July. The Leafs are undoubtedly looking to upgrade on defense after adding only Ron Hainsey during the summer, but any deal involving a top-four blueliner is likely not to occur until at least American Thanksgiving and may not happen until the trade deadline.
I still see a big hole in the back up goaltender position. Will the Leafs roll the dice as is or will they make a move to strengthen it?
— D dot (@Ddotleafsfan) September 3, 2017
The Leafs do not have as many back-to-back games this season, but they will need to get starter Frederik Andersen regular rest and that means playing McElhinney 20 to 25 games. If he does not perform, Toronto could opt to give Garret Sparks a chance, but there is just as good a chance that they will look outside the organization for an answer.
Is a Jacob Trouba an attainable for the #Leafs? He would cost a ton but a worthy investment for the leafs imo perfect partner for Rielly? :)
— Daniel Tiller (@tiller_daniel) September 3, 2017
A - Toronto clearly has enough young assets to deal for Winnipeg defenseman Jacob Trouba, but if Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff sticks to his guns about getting a young top-four defenseman in return for him, then assembling the right package might be a challenge.
Trouba is entering the final year of a two-year bridge deal and his willingness to sign a long-term extension with the Jets might be a contributing factor to whether they will shop the blueliner at some point this season.
This is the last season Lou is under contract. Will he be back or will the team be handed over to Kyle or Mark?
— D dot (@Ddotleafsfan) September 3, 2017
A – The odds that this is Lou Lamoriello’s last season in Toronto are slim. The 74-year-old does not appear to be ready to retire. In fact, the challenge of building the Leafs into contenders seems to have invigorated the Hall-of-Famer.
Where do you see Matt Martin fitting with the club going forward. There is a log jam at left wing.
— Gary Penrose (@Fairplay42) September 3, 2017
A – Babcock believes that the toughness and hard hitting that Martin brings is essential to the Leafs lineup, so there is no reason to believe that he will not keep his spot on the left side of the fourth line.
Training camp will reveal any potential changes, but one possibility is winger Zach Hyman shifting to the right side. Hyman shoots right handed and could stay on Auston Matthews line with veteran Patrick Marleau taking his spot on the left side or he could play right wing on the checking line with Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov.
Will we see Matthews named captain at any point this season?
— D dot (@Ddotleafsfan) September 3, 2017
A – Both Babcock and Lamoriello have said that there is no rush to name a captain this season. The Leafs have added a trio of veterans in Dominic Moore, Ron Hainsey and Patrick Marleau to provide experience and support if they opted to name Matthews the youngest captain in Leafs history, but there really is no need to rush something that most people believe is inevitable.
Do you think the leafs are only leaning toward trading JVR if they can upgrade on D? And if they can't, do they attempt to extend him?
— TomFlude (@TomFlude) September 3, 2017
A – The Leafs reportedly included James van Riemsdyk in their offer to acquire Travis Hamonic from New York, so Toronto would likely move the pending free agent if they could acquire a top-four defenseman in the deal.
The big winger will be one of the better scorers in the 2018 free agent class and as a 29-year-old UFA, next summer will be his last best opportunity to hit the jackpot on a long-term deal. With William Nylander, Matthews and Mitch Marner all slated to get new contracts in the next 12 to 24 months, van Riemsdyk will not be getting extended by Toronto unless he takes a short-term deal or well below market value….and that simply will not happen.
Has anyone heard from Lupul? Is there any chance he is in camp?
— D dot (@Ddotleafsfan) September 3, 2017
@MikeInBuffalo hey Mike I noticed JD Greenway isn't at the Rookie Tournament. Is he at the big clubs camp the following week or injured?
— Mike (@mcianfrini) September 4, 2017
A –Like other prospects currently playing in the NCAA (Joseph Woll, Dakota Joshua and Nolan Vesey) Greenway will not be participating in the rookie tournament or training camp.
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