Leafs @ Blue Jackets - Oct. 25th, 7:00pm - LeafsTV, SN 590

[CarltonTheBear]

I'd rather see Broll and Devine in Orr and Mclarens positions.

It's Broll and Bodie for me, but yeah there's almost half a dozen players in the organization that would be better options on the 4th line than those two.

 

[Boston Leaf]

Am I the only one who doesn't care if McLaren draws in the lineup or not?

I'd like him to draw in and Orr to have a seat he's a better skater than Orr....

I agree I think he is beter all aroudn..not by much ... but better

 

[Rick C.]

Am I the only one who doesn't care if McLaren draws in the lineup or not?

I'd like him to draw in and Orr to have a seat he's a better skater than Orr....

I agree I think he is beter all aroudn..not by much ... but better

Orr might not be the fastest skater, but there aren't many Leafs that backcheck harder than him.

 

[Bender]

I know it's early, I'm just super excited for Frazer McLaren's return to the line-up!

Unless we're gearing up to play the Bloods or the Crips, MacLaren and Orr should never be in the lineup together.

And even then, neither of them can really shoot.

.

BAZINGA

 

[sampson]

Looks like for wingers, we have Kulemin and Kessel.  Glad to see Kulemin back.
Phaneuf is looking way out of position.  He's been so reliable this season to.
Not sure about which goalie it is, but it's worrisome that they're not facing the action.  (If the goalie is facing the wrong way and the puck goes in through their legs, is it still considered the 5 hole?) 
Now I can clearly see the player between Kulemin and Kessel has a #1 on their jersey number.  So it's gotta be one of:  Lupul, McClement, Raymond, or Ranger.  You would think it would be McClement between the two wingers, but the second number clearly has a line across the top, even though you can't see the rest.  McClement being 11, so it can't be him.  So is Carlyle icing three wingers?  Or maybe it's 4-on-4?  If it is, could it be Ranger?  Oh god.  And if it is 4-on-4, is Clarkson jumping on the ice again?  10 game suspension again!?!  dang.  And busting the ice is a definite no-no.  Remember Larry Robinson checking a guy into the boards and the boards gave away.  He got a delay-of-game penalty because of it.  Clarkson is already costing us a penalty.  If they measure his stick, it's illegal too.

Haha, seriously, what's up with the goalie?  And friggin' Clarkson put on his road colours....  :

WOW! This was spit liquid out of my mouth funny. Awesome stuff guys.. made my 4:20 real good!

 

[Bender]

Am I the only one who doesn't care if McLaren draws in the lineup or not?

I'd like him to draw in and Orr to have a seat he's a better skater than Orr....

I agree I think he is beter all aroudn..not by much ... but better

Well McLaren has scored 11pts in 75 games. 11pts over the course of one season isn't TOO bad compared to Orr. Orr has 24pts in 432 games. Frazer Mclaren, thus far, is around 5x more productive.

It's kind of embarassing that Colton Orr is still in this league at all.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

If that was the case, after all these years of teams carrying fighters, wouldn't there be no more 'rats'?  Do the stars on Chicago or Detroit get attacked by 'rats'?

Convince me!

I was more asking the question. I mean, there must be a reason, as coaches and GM's do go this route, some more than others. I used "rats" in quotations because there is at least one GM and coach I know of that finds value in having Orr on the team for that reason, not that that is my view necessarily.

Personally, I would rather have 3rd and 4th lines of Kulemin's, Clarkson's, McClement's and Bolland's vs Orr and McLaren's, so it would be hard for me to convince you. My issue with all this is the staged fights, I hate them and find they serve no purpose, but I am okay with a guy getting punched if he does take a liberty with one of my players. I know the issue needs to be fixed, but I don't know how they are going to do it.

There was an interesting interview on TSN radio this morning... Jody Shelley.  He was talking about the evolution of the fighter/goon, and that players in that position this day have to learn how to play hockey as well.  He also mentioned that if he was coming in to Toronto and learned that Orr was dressing, he would think twice about running Kessel.  He said he would still give the skill guys a shot or two, but probably wouldn't run anyone knowing he would have to answer and fight.  He also mentioned it was so much nicer going in to a rink to play knowing he would be able to relax and play (no tough guy dressed for the opposition), knowing he wouldn't have to get punched in the head.

A bit of a mixed message, but interesting to hear his take on how he would adjust his game knowing Orr/tough guy was dressing.

Edit:  Oh yeah, go Leafs!!!!  Clarkson will be the catalyst and we'll see a much more physical, up-tempo effort from the drop of the puck tonight!  5-2 Leafs, Reilly with the empty-netter.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

A bit of a mixed message, but interesting to hear his take on how he would adjust his game knowing Orr/tough guy was dressing.

Yeah, it's the stuff you don't normally hear, so good on him for being honest. They don't really want to do it, but see it as a necessary evil.

I found it was talked about more when Avery was in the league. It was a step in the right direction getting him out of the NHL and I hope those types of punks stay out.

 

[iwas11in67]

Leafs by 2.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

A bit of a mixed message, but interesting to hear his take on how he would adjust his game knowing Orr/tough guy was dressing.

Yeah, it's the stuff you don't normally hear, so good on him for being honest. They don't really want to do it, but see it as a necessary evil.

I found it was talked about more when Avery was in the league. It was a step in the right direction getting him out of the NHL and I hope those types of punks stay out.

He touched on lots of different issues.  THe interview (Macko and Cauz - sp?) is just a few slots down on the right after the link (about 10-12 minutes). 

http://www2.tsn.ca/window/podcastcentre/#id=78

 

[Arn]

So with Clarkson back in the lineup, wanting to mark his territory and have a scrap and all probably. Will there be anyone from Columbus willing or will he mug someone and get suspended for ten more games? ;D

 

[iwas11in67]

I'm not expecting too much from Clarkson right now. Maybe an adrenaline game or two. Remember he hasn't played in a game in over 3 weeks, and a meaningful one since last April.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Lupul's out, so Leivo will play. McLaren is in for Bodie too. I thought it was precious how Randy was acting coy about whether or not McLaren would be playing tonight.

 

[LittleHockeyFan]

:'(

well, I might as well watch the Colts game then??.

 

[Arn]

Friday night games feel a bit weird

 

[CarltonTheBear]

So lines to start are:

JVR-Bozak-Kessel
McClement-Bolland-Clarkson
Raymond-Kadri-Leivo
McLaren-Smith-Orr

 

[drummond]

leafs surprisingly sharp

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

No. Clarkson is costing us already!

 

[Damian]

No. Clarkson is costing us already!

cement

 

[Arn]

There's some decent players on the Columbus side and has been over the years. Is it some kind of hockey graveyard though? Like, would you go there if you had any other options?