I like Dermott.

I hope Dermott continues to develop.

But Dermott got about 17 minutes of ice per game last year.

He's nowhere near ready for 1st paring minutes.
- Atomic Wedgie

My only point was that October-February is about seeing what you have so that you can make the necessary adjustments at the trade deadline.

If Ceci isn't the guy ..then Dermott might get a look until February ...and if he isn't the guy then it's time to get creative and find the guy.

I think it is also 24 days AND 10 games. So oct 26th I think is his last day. I read this somewhere. I can't see him playing top minutes right away.

Also, the line up will be dictated depending on who gets sent down to take his contract off LTIR.
- Aaron_85

Ya, good point. The leafs may have to bounce 2 contracts once Hyman returns.

Well they're the most expensive one i'll give you that.
- Scabeh

I think of Matthews line as the top time

but it doesnt matter

Hutch played well in that last game but the team let him down. They will be motivated to make it up to him. The Tavares line is waking up now as well. Leafs by 1, lock it in.
- Zezel

I like this sunny outlook.

unfortunately there are Babcock infused clouds on the horizon.

a few big questions
1) does Babcock's ego allow him to start Moore with Tavares and Marner - or does he force the decision he made in August the "Kapanen has to be on that line"?
2) what excuse does Babcock use to keep putting Marincin in the line-up?
3) does the media figure out ahead of time and prevent Babcock from blaming Holl for Marincin's poor play?

I like this sunny outlook.

unfortunately there are Babcock infused clouds on the horizon.

a few big questions
1) does Babcock's ego allow him to start Moore with Tavares and Marner - or does he force the decision he made in August the "Kapanen has to be on that line"?
2) what excuse does Babcock use to keep putting Marincin in the line-up?
3) does the media figure out ahead of time and prevent Babcock from blaming Holl for Marincin's poor play?
- BorjeFan4Ever

1) quite sure Babcock will start Moore with Tavares and Marner tonight.
2) PK duties - Barrie-Rielly-Ceci aren't good on PK; Leafs need a 2nd D-man (apart from Muzzin) that Babcock trusts on the PK.
3) Marincin hasn't been bad at all. He's a decent bottom line d-man.

Marincin in the lineup is fine, there are not a lot of options for the 6/7 until Dermott is back.

And then, Holl, Marincin or Gravel. Flip a coin
the constant crying over the 6/7th D is crazy

Its what you get when mitch and auston want big boy money. you have to pay 700k for a Marincin

I like Dermott.

I hope Dermott continues to develop.

But Dermott got about 17 minutes of ice per game last year.

He's nowhere near ready for 1st paring minutes.
- Atomic Wedgie

Dermott has been babied and held back too much. He should have been playing more already.

Dermott has been babied and held back too much. He should have been playing more already.
- RogerRoeper

Agreed. The biggest issue with Dermott is we still don't know what he is, or what he could be. Right now he's just a very good third pairing defender.. half the teams in the league have a couple guys like that.

Agreed. The biggest issue with Dermott is we still don't know what he is, or what he could be. Right now he's just a very good third pairing defender.. half the teams in the league have a couple guys like that.
- leafsfann

Babs doesn't "Trust" him but trusts Maricin. LOL

I'm seeing Dermott on the 3rd pair as a LH shot. Which is crazy for his 3rd year

I actually felt bad for Dubnyk. He's played poorly this season and trying to find his game, got steamrolled on that one play and looked sore, then let in a bad angle shot and a squeaker five hole, he looked so defeated.

I actually felt bad for Dubnyk. He's played poorly this season and trying to find his game, got steamrolled on that one play and looked sore, then let in a bad angle shot and a squeaker five hole, he looked so defeated.
- BestRapperAlive

You felt bad for the other teams goalie? Get the frank out of here

You felt bad for the other teams goalie? Get the frank out of here
- PatC80

You felt bad for the other teams goalie? Get the frank out of here
- PatC80

oh ya i forgot...(frank) him!


Rielly tied the record for assists in a period (4), so that's good

Its called reality.

If they pull out a big win tonight I will be pleasantly surprised and the first to give them props. Leafs have just looked ‘blah’ so far. Last nights first period was brutal against an inferior team... better show up tonight...
- Hockey_Reverend

Minnesota had the puck in the leafs zone maybe 4 times that first period. It was a trap first, can't see how that is terrible. And aside from Tampa and the third against Montreal the leafs have not looked blah, but I guess if you are only looking for negatives every game you'd think that

My only point was that October-February is about seeing what you have so that you can make the necessary adjustments at the trade deadline.

If Ceci isn't the guy ..then Dermott might get a look until February ...and if he isn't the guy then it's time to get creative and find the guy.
- The Law

That's a long look. He can get a good look on another pairing, especially coming back from injury.

Minnesota had the puck in the leafs zone maybe 4 times that first period. It was a trap first, can't see how that is terrible. And aside from Tampa and the third against Montreal the leafs have not looked blah, but I guess if you are only looking for negatives every game you'd think that
- harps43

I dunno man, I'm gonna have to agree with the other guy that the first period was brutal, they couldn't complete a pass

Quite sure both your candidates suck.

You should vote for this guy

Hyman can get back in the lineup as soon as next week (10 games) so it'll be interesting to see where Coach puts Moore. Likely back to 4th line with the Goat.

Anybody else like Timashov? Admittedly I haven't been watching that closely but every time I see him he's finishing checks and forechecking hard. Not sure he's done enough to bump Shore/Spezza from the picture though. Petan is out ....
- The Law

Apart from his first preseason game and the Montreal game I think it was timashov has been the best 4th liner other than the goat. Smart player, does a lot of the little things right and for a guy labelled a small skilled guy can really get in on the forecheck and isn't scared to hit. I think him, the goat and Spezza would be the best 4th line atm until hyman is back

I just remembered this cringing bit

If I had to bet at which one is the best hockey player.... I'd say Blanchet.

Because it sounds french obviously.
- Scabeh

Yeah, he looks like one of them visor-wearin' types.

Apart from his first preseason game and the Montreal game I think it was timashov has been the best 4th liner other than the goat. Smart player, does a lot of the little things right and for a guy labelled a small skilled guy can really get in on the forecheck and isn't scared to hit. I think him, the goat and Spezza would be the best 4th line atm until hyman is back
- harps43

I wasn't super impressed with Timashov until the last couple of games, where he has looked good. I liked his ability to maneuver in tight, and thought he had deft hands, but he seemed unable to DO anything with those skills. Not having watched much of the Marlies, it gives you little context into a player. In the last couple of games, he's shown that he can translate that into something better.

Personally, I want to like both Spezza and Shore. For sentimental reasons, you want Spezza to be able to manage his role on the 4th line. For historical reasons, I think Shore can be a benefit to the PK. Based on their play so far, I'd still be picking Spezza.

Petan has had one good preseason game where he looked good against AHL'ers.

1) quite sure Babcock will start Moore with Tavares and Marner tonight.
2) PK duties - Barrie-Rielly-Ceci aren't good on PK; Leafs need a 2nd D-man (apart from Muzzin) that Babcock trusts on the PK.
3) Marincin hasn't been bad at all. He's a decent bottom line d-man.
- MaximusAurelius

This might be your most logical post ever 👍

I dunno man, I'm gonna have to agree with the other guy that the first period was brutal, they couldn't complete a pass
- BestRapperAlive

That's what the trap does. Doesn't mean they were terrible if the other team barely had the puck because their only trying to clog the middle. Looked bad, was boring to watch but Minnesota wasn't doing anything that period aside from one shot that found its way in

How is this related to hockey?
- Scabeh

How is he related to hockey?

gamerdoc convinced you eh?
- Scabeh

No, but I thought he should know.