A few tidbits and observations after taking in the Leafs Fan Fest at Air Canada Center on Saturday:
The event itself was well attended, as fans were treated to free snacks, drinks, gifts, discounted concessions, opportunities to interact with Leafs players and management and other interactive events, but lines for autographs and getting a picture taken dropping the puck at center ice were extremely long.
A fan dropping the puck at center ice during Saturday's Fan Fest. #leafs pic.twitter.com/JDwODzhCgl
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) September 7, 2014The part of the three day event that was most insightful regarding expectations for the upcoming season were the Q & A sessions held with club management.
“If you look at the top teams in our league, the teams that are winning playoff rounds and winning championships, their third and fourth lines were playing 10,12,14 minutes.… GM Dave Nonis said regarding the addition of six forwards over the summer. “We felt last year that our depth wasn’t where it needed to be, that we put a lot of pressure on our top six forwards to perform every night.…
Two of the additions were former Leafs Leo Komarov and Matt Frattin. The 27-year-old Komarov’s ability to be a spark plug and get underneath the opposition’s skin was definitely missed last season and after signing a four-year contract in July, the club is hoping that his feistiness will be infectious.
“That series(the 2013 seven-game loss to Boston) I felt was the best I’ve seen our club in recent years play defensively and leading the way was obviously Leo and (Frattin), because they set the tone for most games in that series with their aggressive forechecking and body checking.…
Frattin is an unknown commodity, as he rejoins the Leafs after stops with the LA Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets last season. The 26-year-old winger has the two-way abilities to be an effective bottom six winger, but also has the offensive tools to be a candidate for the second line winger spot with old line mate Nazem Kadri.
The 26-year-old Edmonton, AB native scored 24 goals in 37 games for the AHL Toronto Marlies during the regular season and Calder Cup Playoffs in 2012, before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He missed part of the AHL season during the lockout, but returned and scored at close to a point-per-game pace, earning a spot with the Leafs.
In his first 10 games in 2013, Frattin scored seven goals in 10 games before re-injuring his knee and requiring surgery. He has never been the same since, scoring only two goals in 50 NHL regular season and playoff games.
Another player whose expectations are far afield is Petri Kontiola. The 27-year-old played 12 games for Chicago in 2007-08 and a full season in the AHL before playing five seasons internationally for Finland and with two clubs in the KHL.
Kontiola has the ability to play all three forward positions, kill penalties and is adept at playing a two-way hockey, but also has shown an ability to score, with five points in six games at the Sochi Olympics and nine points(3G, 6A) at last year’s World Championships in Minsk, Belarus.
“Petri is a skilled hockey player with a lot passion.… Leafs player development advisor Steve Staios said about scouting the Finnish import in a Leafs Fan Fest Q & A on Saturday. “He demanded the puck all over the ice, he wanted to be a difference maker. He’s not’s an overly physical player, but he gets into those dirty areas.…
There are at least nine forwards who will battle for bottom six roles on the Leafs and based on the trend in the league and the failures of last season, players like Colton Orr, Fraser McLaren, Carter Ashton and Troy Bodie may be hard pressed to make the roster with versatile players like Komarov, Frattin and Kontiola in the fold.
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The first Sunday of the NFL season and my optimism regarding the Buffalo Bills is virtually nonexistent. The club had a horrific pre-season, head coach Doug Marrone and management are openly squabbling, prized first round pick Sammy Watkins has been injured twice already and quarterback EJ Manuel has been so ineffective that the Bills had to throw money to sign veteran QB Kyle Orton to backup.
Week 1 in Chicago could be close, as the Bears defense is nowhere close to the good ole Monsters of the Midway days, but the Bills season has 5-11 written all over it.
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