Preseason: Leafs @ Habs - Sept. 27th, 7:30pm - TSN4, TSN 1050

[Kin]

As in previous games, I liked Kapanen, Leivo, and Dermott. Think all could play in this team. Grundstrom still looks really promising. Tonight, Johnsson and Borgman impressed.

So... I'm with Nik on "asset management." There are enough guys who can play that the Leafs should be moving out expiring contracts for the next bunch of picks.

Or even just evening out some of the depth issues. You'd like to think the Leafs could have done something to add a backup with some potential/promise.

 

[bustaheims]

It's kind of too bad these aren't counting.  I can only imagine what the reaction would be if they started the season 0-6.

Their offensive struggles could very easily continue into the season. Price will have to be at his absolute best.

 

[Zee]

Leafs are winning this?  Jeez, MTL has been awful in the pre-sea.

I absolutely love how much the tide has turned for the Leafs. It's a pretty good indicator of improvement when us fans have taken to feeling sorry for other teams.

Who's feeling sorry for the Habs? I'm daring to hope they suck this badly when the regular season starts. Of course they'll come out and start 11-1 just because.

 

[Kin]

martinhater

Honestly, while I'm not crazy about Martin being in the lineup every day the inability to maximize value from the pending UFA's they won't re-sign is a bigger deal.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/TheFlintor/status/913218767521533952

 

[ZBBM]

martinhater

Honestly, while I'm not crazy about Martin being in the lineup every day the inability to maximize value from the pending UFA's they won't re-sign is a bigger deal.

That remains to be seen, though, right?  JVR could still be traded, for example.

 

[Kin]

That remains to be seen, though, right?  JVR could still be traded, for example.

I've had this conversation at length a couple times here so I'll just say that while I won't rule out a possibility, I don't think it's all that plausible that the have Leafs managed this situation to their biggest advantage.

 

[mr grieves]

That remains to be seen, though, right?  JVR could still be traded, for example.

I've had this conversation at length a couple times here so I'll just say that while I won't rule out a possibility, I don't think it's all that plausible that the have Leafs managed this situation to their biggest advantage.

Leafs probably wouldn't have made the playoffs last season without JvR, Bozak, and Komarov. Whether keeping them around and missing out on prospects was worth playoffs, I dunno. I'm pleased the youngsters weren't thrown into the deep end and that they got some playoff experience.

At this point, I'd be happy if the expiring trio were dealt for picks and room was made for those seemingly NHL-calibre guys in the minors, so we can get a read on what they can do.

But that's not plausible if Babcock has as much influence as he seems to.

 

[Kin]

Leafs probably wouldn't have made the playoffs last season without JvR, Bozak, and Komarov.

Again, I've had this discussion but I disagree with the premise here. Also I think trading those guys at the draft probably would have then been the better bet.

 

[L K]

2017 and NHL.com still doesn't have game logs for half the games and doesn't track preseason stats. 

 

[CarltonTheBear]

2017 and NHL.com still doesn't have game logs for half the games and doesn't track preseason stats. 

Yeah but now they have stats going back to 1917!

 

[bustaheims]

2017 and NHL.com still doesn't have game logs for half the games and doesn't track preseason stats.

I wonder how much that has to do with so many games being played in non-NHL buildings, and, therefore, possibly with non-NHL stats people.

 

[Frank E]

2017 and NHL.com still doesn't have game logs for half the games and doesn't track preseason stats.

I wonder how much that has to do with so many games being played in non-NHL buildings, and, therefore, possibly with non-NHL stats people.

Even still though, they're the NHL...get your stats people in the building.

 

[Frank E]

Some stray observations:

1. Kapanen is an NHL player. Johnsson might be too. That there aren't spots for them is bad asset management.

2. Dermott is good. I think it's more than likely he'll be a NHL defenseman. I don't see any star potential though.

3. I'm officially on the Grundstrom train.

Going back to what I was mentioning last night...The veteran 4th line centres they're auditioning haven't looked good enough.

Maybe they should consider putting Komarov (another expiring contract that doesn't get mentioned much) at 4th centre for now and keep Kapanen, waive Moore and Fehr.

 

[Coco-puffs]

Leafs probably wouldn't have made the playoffs last season without JvR, Bozak, and Komarov.

Again, I've had this discussion but I disagree with the premise here. Also I think trading those guys at the draft probably would have then been the better bet.

Based on Game Score:  JVR 1.5, Bozak 0.8, Komarov 0.3. 

For Bozak and Komarov, I do think some of the younger players could have provided close to equal value but its not a sure thing.  For JvR I disagree:  JvR was a top 93 forward in the NHL last year.  Considering we barely squeaked into the playoffs, not having him last year probably would have cost us a playoff spot.

That said, I do agree from an asset management perspective, adding Marleau, knowing Kapanen was ready (at minimum), having Leivo as your 13th forward all year and looking like the same again, and not trading a couple of our pending UFA's at the Draft was a poor decision.

 

[herman]

2017 and NHL.com still doesn't have game logs for half the games and doesn't track preseason stats.

I wonder how much that has to do with so many games being played in non-NHL buildings, and, therefore, possibly with non-NHL stats people.

Ricoh has no play-by-play data for this reason.

And it's not just a matter of having people there, as there is video infrastructure required.

 

[herman]

Leafs probably wouldn't have made the playoffs last season without JvR, Bozak, and Komarov.

Again, I've had this discussion but I disagree with the premise here. Also I think trading those guys at the draft probably would have then been the better bet.

Based on Game Score:  JVR 1.5, Bozak 0.8, Komarov 0.3. 

For Bozak and Komarov, I do think some of the younger players could have provided close to equal value but its not a sure thing.  For JvR I disagree:  JvR was a top 93 forward in the NHL last year.  Considering we barely squeaked into the playoffs, not having him last year probably would have cost us a playoff spot.

That said, I do agree from an asset management perspective, adding Marleau, knowing Kapanen was ready (at minimum), having Leivo as your 13th forward all year and looking like the same again, and not trading a couple of our pending UFA's at the Draft was a poor decision.

This is in that nebulous people-management area of decision-making, rather than simple asset management.

The Front Office wanted the team to know they believed in them, so they added Boyle instead of blowing up the Bozak line that was clicking. Over the offseason, they definitely shopped at least JvR, but not for peanuts as they still have present value to the team outweighing the offered returns (Super Marlie on the team + picks/prospects).

Adding Marleau is not so much an issue for me because in addition to him being able to play on the ice, he is a Mirror of Erised for Matthews, Nylander, and Marner to witness firsthand for a couple of seasons. Management literally went out and got one mentor for each tier of roster player.

 

[Bender]

Leafs probably wouldn't have made the playoffs last season without JvR, Bozak, and Komarov.

Again, I've had this discussion but I disagree with the premise here. Also I think trading those guys at the draft probably would have then been the better bet.

Based on Game Score:  JVR 1.5, Bozak 0.8, Komarov 0.3. 

For Bozak and Komarov, I do think some of the younger players could have provided close to equal value but its not a sure thing.  For JvR I disagree:  JvR was a top 93 forward in the NHL last year.  Considering we barely squeaked into the playoffs, not having him last year probably would have cost us a playoff spot.

That said, I do agree from an asset management perspective, adding Marleau, knowing Kapanen was ready (at minimum), having Leivo as your 13th forward all year and looking like the same again, and not trading a couple of our pending UFA's at the Draft was a poor decision.

Adding Marleau is not so much an issue for me because in addition to him being able to play on the ice, he is a Mirror of Erised for Matthews, Nylander, and Marner to witness firsthand for a couple of seasons.

Wut?

 

[dappleganger]

JVR had a career high in points last year while having his lowest time-on-ice since his 3rd season in the league. He had a great season. Leaf fans would probably be more excited about acquiring Hamonic though.

 

[herman]

Just going by the highlights as I missed this game, I see our strategy shifted to match the team strengths.

Missing a lot of the horses up front that the Leafs normally sport, the Super Marlies played more of a traditional cycle to the screened point-shot game because of the heavy shots from the back end. Carrick, Rosen, Borgman all have lasers.