Line-up changes

[McPwnage]

Honestly I think Grabovski is going to play on the third line with steckel and crabb for a bit given how hot bozak and conolloy are you can't take them out of their 1-2 slots. 

 

[maplesyrup]

Colborne will not be playing on the 4th line. When Steckel is ready to go, he'll be back with the Marlies.

I think you're right but I'm hoping you're wrong. I'm not sure Colborne needs more time in the A. He's already dominated down there. Sure, numbers probably dictate he's going down and it probably won't hurt him but I want to see him given as much chance to continue to grow here.

 

[maplesyrup]

... and what is Kadri's future with this team? 

 

[bustaheims]

... and what is Kadri's future with this team? 

Isn't having depth great? ;D

 

[maplesyrup]

... and what is Kadri's future with this team? 

Isn't having depth great? ;D

Sure is.

 

[Tigger]

Hopefully Kadri will work his ass off now.

One thing is certain to me, Burke is licking his chops with the potential deals he could put together with the way his club is performing.

 

[cw]

Wilson said tonight Gunnarsson could have played if they were pressed. Wilson expects both Gunnarsson & Steckel back for Wednesday's game against Boston.

I also think Joe will be the odd man out at center though he exceeded my expectations with how well he played. Real nice saucer pass tonight and some good work along the boards.

Colborne's stats:
5GP 1G 3A +2  .80ppg
48.5% faceoffs - not getting blown away.

On the ice for three goals against - could have been better but not bad defensively.

I could have easily tolerated seeing him play more games but with Steckel & Grabbo back, along with Bozak & Connolly playing well, I don't see any other option for him to stay up.

 

[McPwnage]

This is how I would do things

Lupul - Bozak - Kessel
MacArthur - Connolly - Grabovski
Frattin - Steckel - Kulemin
Crabb - Dupis - Rosehill

putting grabovski on the wing really makes sense and kulemin hasn't been playing well at all.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Hopefully Kadri will work his ass off now.

One thing is certain to me, Burke is licking his chops with the potential deals he could put together with the way his club is performing.

I wish I had a bug on his phone, I'm sure he's getting some offers that would make us surprised.

 

[gilmourthegreat]

This is how I would do things

Lupul - Bozak - Kessel
MacArthur - Connolly - Grabovski
Frattin - Steckel - Kulemin
Crabb - Dupis - Rosehill

putting grabovski on the wing really makes sense and kulemin hasn't been playing well at all.

I would put Grabbo back with Kulemin to try and jump-start them both, with the top two lines clicking we can afford to let them figure things out on the third line.

Lupul - Bozak - Kessel
Mac - Connolly - Frattin
Kuli-Grabbo-Colborne (he deserves to keep playing)
Crabb-Steckel-Dupuis

 

[cw]

I saw on the ticker last night that Aulie had been returned to the Marlies. Haven't been able to confirm that yet.

edit:
Maybe that ticker was from this:

DavidAlter590 David Alter
BREAKING: Keith Aulie returned to the #Marlies, Carl Gunnarsson will play tonight #Leafs
30 Nov
...
DavidAlter590 David Alter
For those who think I'm full of it, here is a screenshot from the league office's NHL roster of #Leafs minus Aulie yfrog.com/klsd5cp
23 hours ago

DavidAlter590 David Alter
Keith Aulie now back on the ice, NHL office listed him off the active roster at 7am this morning. #leafs
23 hours ago

DavidAlter590 David Alter
For those of you just waking up. The #Leafs are carrying only 6 defensemen on their active roster. No Keith Aulie, Carl Gunnarsson returns.
30 Nov

Looks like there's some confusion as Aulie played last night though he sat when his club got behind

 

[Zee]

I saw on the ticker last night that Aulie had been returned to the Marlies. Haven't been able to confirm that yet.

I still don't understand why he played instead of Franson.

 

[cw]

I saw on the ticker last night that Aulie had been returned to the Marlies. Haven't been able to confirm that yet.

I still don't understand why he played instead of Franson.

Maybe Franson is dinged up?

Maybe -2 in Franson's last four games ?

I don't know why either.

 

[Zee]

I saw on the ticker last night that Aulie had been returned to the Marlies. Haven't been able to confirm that yet.

I still don't understand why he played instead of Franson.

Maybe Franson is dinged up?

Maybe -2 in Franson's last four games ?

I don't know why either.

Sure but Aulie wasn't that impressive either.  In fact that Anaheim game I blame the 2nd goal entirely on him.  Considering he was just an emergency call up with Gunnarson out, you would have figured they'd go back to their "starting D" when Gunnarson was back.  Doesn't say much for any confidence in Franson when you sit him out in probably the biggest game of the year.

 

[Redleaf]

I saw on the ticker last night that Aulie had been returned to the Marlies. Haven't been able to confirm that yet.

I still don't understand why he played instead of Franson.

Maybe Franson is dinged up?

Maybe -2 in Franson's last four games ?

I don't know why either.

Perhaps he's trade bait?

 

[cw]

I saw on the ticker last night that Aulie had been returned to the Marlies. Haven't been able to confirm that yet.

I still don't understand why he played instead of Franson.

Maybe Franson is dinged up?

Maybe -2 in Franson's last four games ?

I don't know why either.

Sure but Aulie wasn't that impressive either.  In fact that Anaheim game I blame the 2nd goal entirely on him.  Considering he was just an emergency call up with Gunnarson out, you would have figured they'd go back to their "starting D" when Gunnarson was back.  Doesn't say much for any confidence in Franson when you sit him out in probably the biggest game of the year.

If Franson was out because he was hurt, I don't think that would have anything to do with confidence.

Neither dman has blown me away and I'm kind of glad they took a look at Aulie.

Like RedLeaf suggested, maybe they were showcasing Aulie.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Where does everybody think Grabs fits in right now with this current group of forwards? I think it's only a matter of time before Colborne is eventually forced back to the AHL when some bodies get back into the line-up, but for now it seems as though he's safe on the 3rd line.

I've really liked Wilson's tactic of double-shifting Kessel and at times Lupul. And against Boston that Steckel-Grabs-Kessel line was very effective, despite not scoring. The problem is that Grabs only played a little over 12 minutes and unless he's not 100% he definitely deserves more than that.

Another option would be playing Grabs on wing with MacArthur and Connolly and putting Kulemin on the 4th line. Kulemin has been struggling offensively and I think something needs to be done here. And maybe getting a chance to play some minutes with Kessel when he gets double-shifted could help Kulemin find his scoring touch. This is probably what I would do against Boston Saturday.

 

[Andy007]

I like the idea of putting Grabovski on the wing with Connolly and McArthur.

Kulemin with Frattin and Steckel might be worth a shot.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Another option would be playing Grabs on wing with MacArthur and Connolly and putting Kulemin on the 4th line. Kulemin has been struggling offensively and I think something needs to be done here. And maybe getting a chance to play some minutes with Kessel when he gets double-shifted could help Kulemin find his scoring touch. This is probably what I would do against Boston Saturday.

I like this option.

I think Grabs is still a bit limp personally. I don't think they would keep Colborne here simply because of what he's done. It's good to see young players getting an opportunity and all, but Colborne hasn't been too good, to steal a spot from a regular like Connolly or Grabovski.

Bozak's fine play is probably what is making the decisions harder for Wilson, but based on what you outlined, I like your last option.

 

[L K]

Where does everybody think Grabs fits in right now with this current group of forwards? I think it's only a matter of time before Colborne is eventually forced back to the AHL when some bodies get back into the line-up, but for now it seems as though he's safe on the 3rd line.

I've really liked Wilson's tactic of double-shifting Kessel and at times Lupul. And against Boston that Steckel-Grabs-Kessel line was very effective, despite not scoring. The problem is that Grabs only played a little over 12 minutes and unless he's not 100% he definitely deserves more than that.

Another option would be playing Grabs on wing with MacArthur and Connolly and putting Kulemin on the 4th line. Kulemin has been struggling offensively and I think something needs to be done here. And maybe getting a chance to play some minutes with Kessel when he gets double-shifted could help Kulemin find his scoring touch. This is probably what I would do against Boston Saturday.

To me, Grabovski was actually the best center on the ice last night. Bozak wasn't bad, Connolly was invisible and Colborne played well, but to me showed he was a rookie.  Some of the plays Mikhail has made in his two games back would be easy goals if he wasn't playing with a pair of stone-hands 4th liners.