Samuelsson was one of the very few who had success on the 2nd line beside Kesler and he couldnt skate worth poop. Come to think about it, which players who can keep up with Keslers skating ability have had success on the 2nd line beside him? Kesler beside Hank and the season before beside Sundin are the seasons everyone bases on Kesler's offensive abilities on and were beside slow skaters. Burrows on the 2nd with Kes has not worked out in the offensive side of their game.... great as a 3rd...

Maybe too much has been put into finding speed to keep up with Kesler. The Booth experiment has been a big fat fail.... Raymond as well.... speed is not everything on that line. Been proven imo.
- boonerbuck

David Boo.....never mind

That's pretty close to the opening night roster. Looks like Alberts and Weber playing for spots on the team. I'd go with Weber despite the fact we lack physicality on the back end. Hunter getting a look on the third line is interesting. It adds an element of quick strike offence.

I'd rather see Shinkaruk on the 2nd than Higgins.

edit: It is the only way Shinkaruk should ever be considered for the lineup is as a top 6.

What happened to Esplen?

What happened to Esplen?
- hertzman

Forced out. He's starting his own site...

If Kassian is suspended I'm hearing Horvat will play with the twins. IMO he's a perfect fit with them. Hopefully that will get him going and play more aggressive. He's been way to passive offensively thus far.

I don't understand how Kassian can get suspended for an accidental play. Did cooke get suspended for accidentally slicing Karlsson leg? Did he get five plus games?

Raymond 1 year $1m, Fosco's price.

Good deal for the Leafs.

If Esplen was forced out I'm not upset. His knowledge of the game wasn't strong enough. Having said that I'm not sure I'd be thrilled with Todd taking over, if he's still writing for other teams. We went from a committed blogger without much knowledge to a half committed one with more knowledge. Seems like a lateral move. Time for a new one to step up?

What happened to Esplen?
- hertzman

What happened to Esplen?
- hertzman

Boy, where have you been!!

He was terminated for not wanting another blogger. We now have Todd, he lives in Toronto and blogs for 5 or 6 other teams. Awesome!!

The two teams meet again in Vancouver on Oct. 5 and the Oilers added some more muscle on Monday picking up enforcer Steve MacIntyre off waivers.

"Perfect," Kassian told reporters after being informed of the move. "I don't think he can skate, that's the last thing on our mind."


- docmorgan

I don't think he will be saying perfect when he's spitting out chicklets.

I don't think he will be saying perfect when he's spitting out chicklets.
- HouseArrest187

I love when the kids get a day off from school.

If Esplen was forced out I'm not upset. His knowledge of the game wasn't strong enough. Having said that I'm not sure I'd be thrilled with Todd taking over, if he's still writing for other teams. We went from a committed blogger without much knowledge to a half committed one with more knowledge. Seems like a lateral move. Time for a new one to step up?
- Boinker

Start a petition for me then.

Raymond 1 year $1m, Fosco's price.

Good deal for the Leafs.
- 1970vintage

Yeah, he's worth a shot at that price since you can waive him if he struggles again.

I love when the kids get a day off from school.


- A_SteamingLombardi

little bit of a difference between him and macintyre.

little bit of a difference between him and macintyre.
- HouseArrest187

I'm just wondering how RNH is going to do in a fight after all your goons are in the box. He should book his shoulder surgery now.

I'm just wondering how RNH is going to do in a fight after all your goons are in the box. He should book his shoulder surgery now.
- golfingsince

nice to see kessels golf swing is still true to form.

Start a petition for me then.
- Nucker101

I'd vote for you if you vote for me!

With all due respect Todd, this is Ian's gig and I wish he was blogging on the nucks. Please stick with your other teams and let Ian run this show. Remember you can't be upset by this post as I wrote "with all due respect"

With all due respect Todd, this is Ian's gig and I wish he was blogging on the nucks. Please stick with your other teams and let Ian run this show. Remember you can't be upset by this post as I wrote "with all due respect"
- Tuner

Hi Ian. How's your new site?

Does Todd live in B.C? If so I'd love him to be our blogger, but if not he might be a little out of touch.

Hi Ian. How's your new site?
- Boinker

No no, it's not Ian just a fan. Do you know name of his site so I can follow? Looked on his twitter and saw nothing. This is just eklund fing up as usual in my eyes

Forced out. He's starting his own site...
- bloatedmosquito

It's worse than that, he's joining Cloutiers