Preseason: Sabres @ Leafs - Sept. 21st, 7:30pm - SN1, TSN 1050

[Zee]

Oh Marincin

Marincin's bumble there was mostly flukey, just a too-hot pass that got through him. Carrick got pretty exposed on a one-on-one play.

Plenty of bad plays there, but Marincin is clearly fighting the puck. And his attempt to pivot and recover the angle after missing the pass reminded me of oil tankers doing three point turns in the english channel.

He had a good first game but hasn't been there tonight

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Oh Marincin

Marincin's bumble there was mostly flukey, just a too-hot pass that got through him. Carrick got pretty exposed on a one-on-one play.

Plenty of bad plays there, but Marincin is clearly fighting the puck. And his attempt to pivot and recover the angle after missing the pass reminded me of oil tankers doing three point turns in the english channel.

He had a good first game but hasn't been there tonight

He didn't impress me much in the first game either, from what I saw. Ah well, lots of preseason left. But for some of these guys like Marincin, Borgman, Rosen, Carrick, Holl.. these are meaningful auditions.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

And there's Engvall again looking like he's here to make an impression. Shouldn't Leivo be trying at this level?

 

[Guilt Trip]

Sparks was swimming really early on that one...

Sparks doesn't impress me at all. Never has. The Swedish twins look pretty good so far. Some mistakes but I like the way they play. Carrick and Marincin, nope. Borgman and Rosen have looked better. SDA does remind me of Marner. Fun player.

 

[AvroArrow]

He had a good first game but hasn't been there tonight

He didn't impress me much in the first game either, from what I saw. Ah well, lots of preseason left. But for some of these guys like Marincin, Borgman, Rosen, Carrick, Holl.. these are meaningful auditions.

I agree with Frycer - I didn't think he was good in the first game either.

 

[AvroArrow]

Sparks was swimming really early on that one...

Sparks doesn't impress me at all. Never has. The Swedish twins look pretty good so far. Some mistakes but I like the way they play. Carrick and Marincin, nope. Borgman and Rosen have looked better. SDA does remind me of Marner. Fun player.

Agreed with pretty much all this.

 

[gunnar36]

I've really liked Greening's game tonight. A bit of a long shot, but I wouldn't mind at all if he took a spot on our 4th line, brings a bit of a physical edge that is needed.

 

[Zee]

Ok frig McBackup can stay

 

[ZBBM]

Ok frig McBackup can stay

This really is a helluva tough call.  It doesn't make sense to keep a 35-year-old over a 25-year-old AHL goalie of the year.  But McElhinney has been pretty much the ideal backup ever since he got here.  He didn't look 35 tonight.

 

[Zee]

Ok frig McBackup can stay

This really is a helluva tough call.  It doesn't make sense to keep a 35-year-old over a 25-year-old AHL goalie of the year.  But McElhinney has been pretty much the ideal backup ever since he got here.  He didn't look 35 tonight.

He actually looks much better tonight than when he first got onto the Leafs. It's like he's aging well

 

[Guilt Trip]

McBackup > Sparks. This isn't even close at this point. Wonder what they'll do seeing no one is waiver exempt. Thing is tho if a team grabs one of our guys, they have to keep them on the NHL roster. Not always easy to do with goalies.

Ok frig McBackup can stay

This really is a helluva tough call.  It doesn't make sense to keep a 35-year-old over a 25-year-old AHL goalie of the year.  But McElhinney has been pretty much the ideal backup ever since he got here.  He didn't look 35 tonight.

Key word is AHL for Sparks and NHL for McBackup.

 

[Zee]

McBackup > Sparks. This isn't even close at this point. Wonder what they'll do seeing no one is waiver exempt. Thing is tho if a team grabs one of our guys, they have to keep them on the NHL roster. Not always easy to do with goalies.

Ok frig McBackup can stay

This really is a helluva tough call.  It doesn't make sense to keep a 35-year-old over a 25-year-old AHL goalie of the year.  But McElhinney has been pretty much the ideal backup ever since he got here.  He didn't look 35 tonight.

Key word is AHL for Sparks and NHL for McBackup.

I wouldn't say it's not close. Sparks played well and didn't give up a goal in his first game, ok it was against Ottawa but still. We'll see how the rest of the pre-season is

 

[cujo4ever]

Engvall stood out to me tonight. It's still early in the preseason though. Seems like the real NHL players don't always show up until closer to the start of the season.

 

[Highlander]

Yes Sparks has been better, goals 2 & 3 he was left out to dry, I doubt Freddie would have saved number 3.  We don't want to count him out just yet.  Yes McBackup was square to the puck but he didn't have to make an fantabulous saves.
Marinchin was bad, to bad, looks great on the Marlies
Swedish twins need a lot more seasoning, a season or two with the Marlies will help, not at NHL level at all...but will be.
Engvall was very good,  making a case for himself it not this year, next
Carrick also not great
SDA was very good and not afraid to take the body. Like Marner light.
I hope that Johnsson steps up his game tonight
Borgman is looking like a keeper, Rosen making a case.
Wonder how bad Hyman is,  Leivo was strong but couldn't finish, he will.

 

[Highlander]

Forgot to mention Timashov, making a real case for a spot down the road, he was all over the place, good defensively as well.

 

[Zee]

Engvall stood out to me tonight. It's still early in the preseason though. Seems like the real NHL players don't always show up until closer to the start of the season.

Be interesting to see if Grundstrom can perform. I think Engvall played real gud last night, might be a sleeper.