Maple Leafs 2018 - 19
- Thread starter Insidious Von
- Start date
With the Chicago Cubs winning the WS, anything is possible.
Studlyman Sid can get fierce with his rants but he can also be loving.
Studlyman Sid can get fierce with his rants but he can also be loving.
This may not be the proper thread but I'm going with it. Sid did another rant, this one was predictable. He'll always defend his paisan CR7, he took exception to CR7 getting red carded.
From my pov, Ronaldo was an asshole, he deserved to be penalized - but a red card, automatic suspension? Red Cards are only given for deliberate attempt to injure, something CR7 didn't do. Sure it doesn't belong here but hockey and football are the sports that matter most to me.
The rant is not yet available, I'll change it when it is.
Let's Play Leafs GM; What to do with the backup goalie situation -- keep McElhinney or Sparks?
The biggest question in Maple Leafs pre-season (other than Nylander's contract) is whether the Leafs go with 35-year old veteran Curtis McElhinney (11-5-1, 2.14 GAA, .934 SV% in NHL) or 25-year old Garret Sparks (31-9-2, 1.79 GAA, .936 SV% in AHL) as the backup goalie this season.
Keep in mind that Sparks cannot be sent to the minor leagues without being exposed to waivers, which all expectations are he would be claimed by another NHL team.
So what should the Leafs do, keep Sparks and waive McElhinney, or keep McElhinney and try to trade Sparks?
The biggest question in Maple Leafs pre-season (other than Nylander's contract) is whether the Leafs go with 35-year old veteran Curtis McElhinney (11-5-1, 2.14 GAA, .934 SV% in NHL) or 25-year old Garret Sparks (31-9-2, 1.79 GAA, .936 SV% in AHL) as the backup goalie this season.
Keep in mind that Sparks cannot be sent to the minor leagues without being exposed to waivers, which all expectations are he would be claimed by another NHL team.
So what should the Leafs do, keep Sparks and waive McElhinney, or keep McElhinney and try to trade Sparks?
Keep Sparks, waive McElhinney if he isn't traded beforehand. And Calvin Pickard also has to clear waivers to be sent down, so it's a bit of a sticky situation for Dubas. Of course, they aren't exempt from claiming a goalie themselves if they happen to lose both.
McElhinney has proven to be a successful backup the last 2 seasons so he's less risk. Sparks has not shown anything in the big leagues. He could be a bust. Have to say McElhinney is better option for short term. Sparks is 10 years younger but don't really know what he'll turn out to be or whether he can do the job. I'd say take the guarantee in McElhinney and worry about replacing him later.
Looks like they've brought in Justin Peters as insurance in case they lose someone. Cal Heeter would have been my choice, 29 and played well in Orlando last year as the Marlies #3 goalie.
http://ahl-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com...lies/2018/09/24090755/trainingcamp-roster.pdf
http://ahl-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com...lies/2018/09/24090755/trainingcamp-roster.pdf
Yeah, that's a tough one. Although it's only one game, Sparks looked awful last night.
Ducks lose Corey Perry for over 5 months. Ducks might call Leafs on Nylander? Any D's we like from their roster? Just a thought.
First game with a full roster except Nylander and Hyman and the power play lineup of Reilly, Marner, Matthews, Kadri and Tavares was as lethal as advertised. Marner was the best player and such a treat to watch. He's a winger but he has the visions to make plays like the best centres in the league. Marleau hasn't done much and he scored when put on a line with Marner and Matthews. I would not be surprised if Marner may turn out to be the leading scorer of this Leafs lineup.
The only concern I have with this lineup is that right after the pp you will have a mismatch situation as you'll have to play your 4th line centre against the other team's top line. I can see that lineup if they're down a goal late, or with no time left in the period after the penalty ends.
The only concern I have with this lineup is that right after the pp you will have a mismatch situation as you'll have to play your 4th line centre against the other team's top line. I can see that lineup if they're down a goal late, or with no time left in the period after the penalty ends.
Marner Kadri and Marleau was a great line last year. Imagine Marner Tavaras and Marleau. But Matthews also wants to play with Marleau so Tavaras and Marner gets Hyman. Marner will be playing 1st line PK 1st line PP and 1a/1b line 5 on 5. Poor Kadri will only get his points on the PP.
Marner will be Leafs MVP and leading scorer for sure. The PP revolves around him dishing to the 3 options Kadri up top for the deflection. Tavaras down low or Matthews cross ice where the goalie will need to move left the right quick. Reilly will draw the defender to him dish to Marner to give him time and space to pick his spot. Or he can shoot with Kadri and Tavaras screening or dish to Matthews and make the play from the left side. All skilled so very quick puck movement.
Marner will be Leafs MVP and leading scorer for sure. The PP revolves around him dishing to the 3 options Kadri up top for the deflection. Tavaras down low or Matthews cross ice where the goalie will need to move left the right quick. Reilly will draw the defender to him dish to Marner to give him time and space to pick his spot. Or he can shoot with Kadri and Tavaras screening or dish to Matthews and make the play from the left side. All skilled so very quick puck movement.
The preseason pretty much confirms what most of us think of this team, a potent offence but defence is suspect. Looks like Demott and Ozhiganov will be the 5th and 6th dmen as none of Holl, Rosen, Carrick and Bogman did much to impress. Andersen will likely face a lot of shots and heavy traffic in front. Hopefully he'll have a much better start than last couple of years.
It's interesting to hear Babcock's comments about the Caps being the biggest and most physical team and they won the championship. He also mentioned that Kadri was the only player they had that could make the opponents feel uncomfortable playing against. Will see if more size and toughness are added to the team as the season progresses.
It's interesting to hear Babcock's comments about the Caps being the biggest and most physical team and they won the championship. He also mentioned that Kadri was the only player they had that could make the opponents feel uncomfortable playing against. Will see if more size and toughness are added to the team as the season progresses.
Defensemen take longer to develop, eventually Borgman will make the team. He takes the body, a good trait to have for a blue line corp that is shy in that department.
What happened to Mason Marchment? He looked great during the Marlies AHL Championship run.
What happened to Mason Marchment? He looked great during the Marlies AHL Championship run.
Did not impress Babcock in pre-season. Got cut early. There are d-men higher on the depth chart than Marchment.
Marchment is a forward, not a dman. I thought he was injured in the rookie tournament just before the Leafs camp.
Trade bottom 6 player like Brown for a guy like Komarov in his prime. Same cap hit and they need that type of player more so than Brown. A guy who hits everything, great defensively, kills penalties, good skater. Scoring not needed as they have plenty of that.
