Training Camp: September 16 - October 1

[bustaheims]

jonasTSN1050: Ron Wilson says he'll make at least 30 cuts by Wednesday. He plans to trim group down to 26/27 players by the following Wednesday.

 

[Zee]

Any fights in camp yet? 

 

[Crucialness Key]

Sounds like Orr's spot might not be up for grabs;
Tonyambrogio200 Tony Ambrogio #Leafs Colton Orr says he is "fully ready to go" and "do whatever it takes." Over his concussion

Why would Grabovski be playing in Orr's spot anyway?  HEY-OHHHHHH

 

[Bender]

jonasTSN1050: Ron Wilson says he'll make at least 30 cuts by Wednesday. He plans to trim group down to 26/27 players by the following Wednesday.

@mirtle Wilson: "For sure the playoffs are do-able." Says Lombardi is getting very close and will likely participate in some practices.

Sweet. I feel like finally we have some semblence of a competitive team.

 

[Deebo]

http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=73330&navid=DL|TOR|home

Live interviews going on now

 

[Kin]

The Lombardi thing is interesting. If he's able to play does that mean Kadri's potential spot is no longer available? Is Bozak bounced to the 4th line?

 

[bustaheims]

@mirtle Wilson: "For sure the playoffs are do-able." Says Lombardi is getting very close and will likely participate in some practices.

Sweet. I feel like finally we have some semblence of a competitive team.

Uh oh. Here comes another round of misinterpretations of a Ron Wilson/Brian Burke quote.

WILSON GUARANTEES PLAYOFF SPOT! RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE!

 

[bustaheims]

The Lombardi thing is interesting. If he's able to play does that mean Kadri's potential spot is no longer available? Is Bozak bounced to the 4th line?

Even with Lombardi, I only count 11 guys that will be "guaranteed" a spot on the opening day roster, barring a trade of some kind. It may mean that the bottom 6 isn't necessarily made up of 2 defined lines, but rather, a group of 6 guys given ice time situationally.

 

[Kin]

The Lombardi thing is interesting. If he's able to play does that mean Kadri's potential spot is no longer available? Is Bozak bounced to the 4th line?

Even with Lombardi, I only count 11 guys that will be "guaranteed" a spot on the opening day roster, barring a trade of some kind.

But where does Lombardi play/who does he bump? I mean, yeah, the 4th line C spot is open but Kadri isn't a candidate and I don't really think Bozak is either.

 

[bustaheims]

But where does Lombardi play/who does he bump? I mean, yeah, the 4th line C spot is open but Kadri isn't a candidate and I don't really think Bozak is either.

Like I said, maybe there aren't defined lines in the bottom 6.

 

[Kin]

Like I said, maybe there aren't defined lines in the bottom 6.

I guess but, I mean, at some point with Kadri you're running into the issue of whether he's better served getting small playing time with the Leafs instead of getting serious playing time with the Marlies. That probably applies to Frattin as well.

 

[Crucialness Key]

Like I said, maybe there aren't defined lines in the bottom 6.

I guess but, I mean, at some point with Kadri you're running into the issue of whether he's better served getting small playing time with the Leafs instead of getting serious playing time with the Marlies. That probably applies to Frattin as well.

Let's say Kadri has a good enough camp that he's the obvious choice to fill in when (sorry, if) Connolly gets hurt.  Does he get better preparation for that as a 1st-line centre vs minor-league opponents, or on the 3rd/4th line vs NHL opponents?

 

[Number 5]

I'd say 1st vs minor league opponents.

The minor league guys will be near-NHL as well, and the role a 1st line center plays is a different one than the 3/rd/4th line one, so in my mind, continued practice in your primary role is more beneficial than tougher experience in a different position.

I could be wrong.

 

[Corn Flake]

Does he get better preparation for that as a 1st-line centre vs minor-league opponents, or on the 3rd/4th line vs NHL opponents?

It comes down to the minutes for sure.  3rd/4th NHL opponents would generally be better players than 1st/2nd line AHL guys, but 12 minutes / night is kind of a waste.  But if he can get 15 mins on the 3rd line? Not so bad. 

I'd like to see a Frattin/Colborne/Kadri line start the year in the AHL and all 3 move up during the season if/when holes are created. Make sure they are more than ready for the promotion before it happens.

 

[McPwnage]

Anyone got a shot of Reimer's new mask yet?

 

[Crucialness Key]

Does he get better preparation for that as a 1st-line centre vs minor-league opponents, or on the 3rd/4th line vs NHL opponents?

It comes down to the minutes for sure.  3rd/4th NHL opponents would generally be better players than 1st/2nd line AHL guys, but 12 minutes / night is kind of a waste.  But if he can get 15 mins on the 3rd line? Not so bad. 

I'd like to see a Frattin/Colborne/Kadri line start the year in the AHL and all 3 move up during the season if/when holes are created. Make sure they are more than ready for the promotion before it happens.

Leaving the NHL 3rd-line LW spot open for... Matthew Lombardi!   

 

[cw]

I added this link to a Training Camp Guide (including schedule of events)
http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/v2/ext/2011LeafsTrainingCampGuide.pdf
to the top post for those looking for it later.

 

[Beowulf]

Fwiw, Phaneuf has commented that Kadri came into camp looking a lot stronger and more confident this year.

 

[Kin]

I'd say 1st vs minor league opponents.

The minor league guys will be near-NHL as well, and the role a 1st line center plays is a different one than the 3/rd/4th line one, so in my mind, continued practice in your primary role is more beneficial than tougher experience in a different position.

I could be wrong.

I don't know that it's as cut and dried with a guy like Kadri. Even in a third line role he'll get time on the PP and in the shoot-out and in offensive situations.

And the difficult thing with Kadri is that he may very well not end up as a #1 C in the NHL so I'm not sure where he plays is dependent on finding out where he can most fit into "his role". My only question here is if Lombardi's presence bumps him down even further. Realistically the bottom 6 is going to be on the ice for 20-24 minutes a night and if Kadri is the #3 winger on the depth chart among the bottom 6 than even in Busta's hypothetical scenario PT will be hard to come by.

 

[Erndog]

Fwiw, Phaneuf has commented that Kadri came into camp looking a lot stronger and more confident this year.

That open top 9 spot is going to have a lot of good competition.

Kadri, Frattin, Colborne and Lombardi.

Even possible one of these guys take Bozaks spot and bozo drops to the 4th line center (although I think this scenerio is unlikely).

Should be fun!