Training Camp Thread - Currently with Marner now

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/1171978873510203395

The Leafs open camp this season with a lot of spots up for grabs, especially because of the absences of Marner, Hyman, and Dermott.

At centre we've got Tavares and Matthews, but who plays behind them is still a question mark. Can Kerfoot play centre full time? Will Spezza need to play 3C if he can't? Will Gauthier even both showing up?

Left wing is currently Johnsson and then about a dozen depth guys, while right wing isn't that much less uncertain past Nylander and Kapanen. Moore, Mikheyev, Petan, Agostino, Aberg, and Shore will all be battling it out for positions as well as younger players like Bracco and Korshkov.

On defence things seem to be locked in, at least in the top-4. We're expecting to see Rielly paired with Ceci while Muzzin gets to play with Barrie. How those minutes are allocated is still undecided. The battle for the bottom pairing will be fierce though with about 8 guys potentially vying for those 2 spots.

In net Andersen has the starters job locked down but once again we enter camp with a battle for the back-up job. Hutchinson has a bit of security with a contract already signed and some experience with the team. Neuvirth will be coming into camp hoping to steal that job from him.

 

[herman]

The name of the game for the UFA forwards is versatility: who can reasonably fill the most potential roles, especially due to injury, and still be effective at their minutes.

I'm looking at Spezza, Agostino, Shore, Petan as really good utility options, with Spezza getting the 4C slot and Shore as back up. We've already penciled in Mikheyev and Moore mentally, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them as part of the group that gets cycled for looks.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1172147904330510345

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1172136810601955330
What a difference a few years make, culture changed from the top down. From disfunctional and toxic to competent and attractive.

 

[louisstamos]

So, presumably while Hyman/Dermott/Marner are out

Johnsson - Tavares - Kapanen
Mikheyev - Matthews - Nylander
Moore - Kerfoot - Shore
Agostino - Spezza - Petan

Rielly - Ceci
Muzzin - Barrie
Marincin - Schmaltz/Liljegren?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1172147904330510345

That also seems to confirm that Kerfoot is pencilled in for 3C, which was likely but not certain. I'd guess our forward lines will shake out like this then:

Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Tavares-Kapanen
Moore-Kerfoot-Aberg
Agostino-Spezza-Shore

Wouldn't even be too surprised if Moore and Agostino swapped spots. Aberg's a bit of a question mark but if Babcock wants a right handed shot there aren't many other options. Bracco could come in and grab that. Either one of those guys will have a really good opportunity with Marner out.

 

[Zee]

No screech for Mitchy!

 

[ZBBM]

I can envision a step (or two) back this year, depending on how they handle Hyman and Dermott's long-term absence.  I still think they'll make the playoffs, but it could be more of a struggle.

I think the key, which nobody is really talking about, is the b/u goaltender.  I have my doubts that either Hutchinson or Neuvirth can deliver the 20+ games somebody other than Andersen is going to need to start.  We've tried the not-quite-rested-enough Freddie in the playoffs more than once now, and that version didn't come through when we needed it most.

 

[herman]

There will be goalies on waivers.

 

[Kin]

I can envision a step (or two) back this year, depending on how they handle Hyman and Dermott's long-term absence.  I still think they'll make the playoffs, but it could be more of a struggle.

I think the key, which nobody is really talking about, is the b/u goaltender.  I have my doubts that either Hutchinson or Neuvirth can deliver the 20+ games somebody other than Andersen is going to need to start.  We've tried the not-quite-rested-enough Freddie in the playoffs more than once now, and that version didn't come through when we needed it most.

It very much is a situation where you'd like to see the assembled 14,394 Analytic Department hires figure out a method to sort through the chaff to get at that sweet, sweet good back-up goalie wheat.

 

[Goaliedave31]

I can envision a step (or two) back this year, depending on how they handle Hyman and Dermott's long-term absence.  I still think they'll make the playoffs, but it could be more of a struggle.

I think the key, which nobody is really talking about, is the b/u goaltender.  I have my doubts that either Hutchinson or Neuvirth can deliver the 20+ games somebody other than Andersen is going to need to start.  We've tried the not-quite-rested-enough Freddie in the playoffs more than once now, and that version didn't come through when we needed it most.

Agree that it might be a bit more of a struggle without those guys starting the year but believe that Spezza and some of the others, such as Aburg may fill the gaps more adequately than many believe. Regarding the backup, it may be someone other than Hutch or Neuvirth. Leafs may find someone on waivers that would be a better option.

 

[Bender]

I can envision a step (or two) back this year, depending on how they handle Hyman and Dermott's long-term absence.  I still think they'll make the playoffs, but it could be more of a struggle.

I think the key, which nobody is really talking about, is the b/u goaltender.  I have my doubts that either Hutchinson or Neuvirth can deliver the 20+ games somebody other than Andersen is going to need to start.  We've tried the not-quite-rested-enough Freddie in the playoffs more than once now, and that version didn't come through when we needed it most.

Would you really characterize Hyman Dermott being out until November/December as long term absences? By all accounts at minimum Dermott is ahead of schedule.

 

[Bender]

I can envision a step (or two) back this year, depending on how they handle Hyman and Dermott's long-term absence.  I still think they'll make the playoffs, but it could be more of a struggle.

I think the key, which nobody is really talking about, is the b/u goaltender.  I have my doubts that either Hutchinson or Neuvirth can deliver the 20+ games somebody other than Andersen is going to need to start.  We've tried the not-quite-rested-enough Freddie in the playoffs more than once now, and that version didn't come through when we needed it most.

There will be a goaltender available on waivers - I believe we'll make the pickup this year if one we like comes available.

 

[ZBBM]

I can envision a step (or two) back this year, depending on how they handle Hyman and Dermott's long-term absence.  I still think they'll make the playoffs, but it could be more of a struggle.

I think the key, which nobody is really talking about, is the b/u goaltender.  I have my doubts that either Hutchinson or Neuvirth can deliver the 20+ games somebody other than Andersen is going to need to start.  We've tried the not-quite-rested-enough Freddie in the playoffs more than once now, and that version didn't come through when we needed it most.

Agree that it might be a bit more of a struggle without those guys starting the year but believe that Spezza and some of the others, such as Aburg may fill the gaps more adequately than many believe. Regarding the backup, it may be someone other than Hutch or Neuvirth. Leafs may find someone on waivers that would be a better option.

Well, they'd better IMO.  Like Nik said, maybe the analytics einsteins out there have figured out how to rate the position, but it still seems like the last big black box in the sport.  Which means that your best bet, flawed though it may be, is to hope for future performance based on past results.  Neither Hutch nor Neuvirth check that box.

 

[ZBBM]

I can envision a step (or two) back this year, depending on how they handle Hyman and Dermott's long-term absence.  I still think they'll make the playoffs, but it could be more of a struggle.

I think the key, which nobody is really talking about, is the b/u goaltender.  I have my doubts that either Hutchinson or Neuvirth can deliver the 20+ games somebody other than Andersen is going to need to start.  We've tried the not-quite-rested-enough Freddie in the playoffs more than once now, and that version didn't come through when we needed it most.

Would you really characterize Hyman Dermott being out until November/December as long term absences? By all accounts at minimum Dermott is ahead of schedule.

My opinion is anything over 12ish games merits that term.  You can lose a lot of ground if your funk goes that long.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Would you really characterize Hyman Dermott being out until November/December as long term absences? By all accounts at minimum Dermott is ahead of schedule.

Babcock said today they're still expecting him to miss 12-14 games. The Leafs have 14 games in October.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1172140105294856192

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Call me an optimist, but I think the Leafs will exceed last years point totals. A full season of Rielly-Muzzin-Barrie as the teams top-3 is going to have such a massive effect on the team. Both at 5-on-5 and especially on speciality teams. Post-trade last season Muzzin still played about half as much on the PK as Hainsey and Zaitsev did. Him being promoted to the top dog plus a new coach/system on the PK should give us improvements there. And on the PP side having Barrie take over Gardiner's spot, as well as having a new coach there too, should hopefully bump us back up to a top-5 PP in the league.

 

[Kin]

Call me an optimist, but I think the Leafs will exceed last years point totals. A full season of Rielly-Muzzin-Barrie as the teams top-3 is going to have such a massive effect on the team. Both at 5-on-5 and especially on speciality teams. Post-trade last season Muzzin still played about half as much on the PK as Hainsey and Zaitsev did. Him being promoted to the top dog plus a new coach/system on the PK should give us improvements there. And on the PP side having Barrie take over Gardiner's spot, as well as having a new coach there too, should hopefully bump us back up to a top-5 PP in the league.

Also, you have to assume that the Leafs raw PP chances would have to normalize. So an increase in effectiveness on top of that would be considerable. Plus, have to figure Nylander is more Nylander-y.

There are reasons to be suspicious though. Ceci, Back-Up goaltending, a certain missing someone from camp...

 

[CarltonTheBear]

There will be goalies on waivers.

A little while ago I actually looked at the goalies who will potentially see themselves on waivers soon. None of them really stood out.

Anton Forsberg from Carolina, IIRC, was pretty much the best bet there. He might be an improvement over what we've got but that's only if both our back-up candidates have bad camps.