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2021-22 Training Camp Thread

Bullfrog said:
I'm assuming Engvall has the leg-up on the 13th spot (or possibly Brooks.)
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Leafs are going to be in for a tough decision with Engvall at some point. Even if they keep him as the 13th forward eventually they're going to want to carry a 7th defenceman in certain situations (long road trips). Consistency problems aside, Engvall's a NHLer so it'd be a bit of a shame to lose him to waivers.
 
I didn't really care about losing a guy like Vesey last year because he really wasn't very good (unless you were judging him on his ability to fall down).

Right now it looks like the team is going to have to cut someone who probably doesn't deserve to be cut.

Of the new forwards I have generally liked the play of Kampf, Kase and Bunting.  Ho Sang has been nice to see.  I think there are still some warts in his game that would push him to the AHL even if he had a potential spot open but if he sticks with the program I could see him playing in the NHL at some point this year.

Robertson still needs more development.  He looked good in the rookie tournament and has looked less impressive in main camp. He still strikes me as a player who hasn't figured out how to best be an NHL player yet.  That's fine.  He just needs some more time in the AHL.

Ritchie I haven't seen much of yet to judge.  He'll be slow skating and that will be frustrating but if he is starting the year with Matthews/Marner they should be used to that after Thornton and I like that he will be more of a feistier guy to fill a lesser Hyman type of role.

The top 9 is likely set with Ritchie, Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander, Kase, Kerfoot, Mikheyev, Kampf.
The defense is likely going to start: Rielly, Brodie, Muzzin, Holl, Dermott, Sandin.

If the Leafs go with 13F and 6D that means that Lliljegren gets cut again (undeserved).

Simmonds, Spezza, Engvall, Bunting, Brooks, Gabriel and Anderson fighting for the 4 remaining forward spots.

Simmonds and Spezza aren't getting cut.  Neither is Bunting.  So Engvall, Brooks, Gabriel and Anderson for the 13th forward slot.  To me Engvall is still the most valuable player of that group because when he gets everything going he's a good skater, good penalty killer and can put the puck in the net for stretches.  Gabriel is an easy cut for me.  Losing one of Brooks or Anderson to waivers though will kind of suck.

After watching All Or Nothing, I get the vocal aspect of Simmonds in the lockerroom and maybe he can get a hot streak going like he did before his wrist injury but he strikes me as a guy who is getting a roster spot for reputation rather than performance at this point.
 
Frank E said:
Bullfrog said:
Anyone with predictions on any surprises?

Either of Robertson or Ho-Sang making the roster? (I suspect both on Marlies to start)
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He doesn't seem to be on the GD roster card, but I'm pulling for Liljegren to make the team and not just be the yoyo this season due to his non-waivers contract.

But I think both your guys are Marlies for sure, and prob Liljegren too.
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https://twitter.com/sammyt_51/status/1445389985419513875
https://twitter.com/Kyle_Cush/status/1445410771505139721
 
L K said:
After watching All Or Nothing, I get the vocal aspect of Simmonds in the lockerroom and maybe he can get a hot streak going like he did before his wrist injury but he strikes me as a guy who is getting a roster spot for reputation rather than performance at this point.
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Yeah I'm a little nervous about Simmonds right now. As things stand our 4th line will likely be x-Spezza-Simmonds all season when we're healthy. But if Engvall beat out Simmonds for his spot in the line-up, which you could argue is deserved, it goes to x-Engvall-Spezza. That gives us a big speed boost on that line and moves Spezza back to the wing where he's actually spent the majority of his time as a Leaf.

Hopefully Simmonds is healthy and will be able to be engaged all season long. Also hopefully the team will be able to work the cap to make sure him and Spezza don't need to play every single game.
 
https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1445408545424478216
https://twitter.com/lukefoxjukebox/status/1445402817846460427
 
I thought Engvall ruled the ice last night.  Simmonds for me is past his due date.  I would rather keep Engvall and Brooks.
 
Highlander said:
I thought Engvall ruled the ice last night.  Simmonds for me is past his due date.  I would rather keep Engvall and Brooks.
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I think Brooks will be the guy going on waivers barring a trade. He's only played 18 NHL games so he may have the best chance of clearing waivers. I like both he and Engvall but I also like Simmonds on the 4th line. Most teams are going to have to waive a decent player and the Leafs may lose a few.
 
I like Engvall but for the size of him, have always wished he'd engage more physically. Simmonds is going to be an interesting one to watch. He was about to catch fire before the freak injury. He's got something to prove. Hopefully he stays healthy.
 
No doubt an engaged Simmonds is a beast.  What the Giraffe showed last night is the ability to snipe and could have ended with the hat trick.
Shame we are going to lose someone good, but I guess that in intself is a good situation to be in.
Also forgot to mention that I was impressed with #57 Hofenmayer,  seemed to be sticking to the O men very well.
 
Think anyone calling for Dubas to be fired is just trying to escape reality. Some things like the team not being tough enough, has anyone see the cost of some of these players?  Looking at salaries he's given out, many of these player's net income is very competitive if not actually pretty good.  It's not his fault he's paying more to cover for higher tax-rates.  Right now, don't think it's fair for him to cut out an integrated part and replace it just yet, especially since last playoff's failure with Matthews, Tavares, and Foligino's injuries plus a whole slew of secondary player and goalie changes, there's nothing wrong with going with what we've got.  Maybe the biggest criticism is if they stick with Simmonds just to try and satisfy some feeling that they need 'tough' players.
 
What do we think about Richie? Is he actually better than Engvall?  Who scores more on Matthew?s wing given equal time?

It definitely won?t happen but I kind of wonder if it would be a better move to trade Richie for nothing (or not have signed him) and keep the cap savings we would get for the deadline.
 
Ritchie was with Keefe in the Soo, he knows that he is a real big man with some toughness, but supposedly has very soft hands and can score. Jury is out until we see him in at least 20 games.


 
I wanted to see more of this lad, he really stood out as someone who was following coverage and not a small guy either:  D Noel Hoefenmayer  Had a very good stint with the 67's.  Think he earned D man of the year at that level (not sure however).
 
Highlander said:
I wanted to see more of this lad, he really stood out as someone who was following coverage and not a small guy either:  D Noel Hoefenmayer  Had a very good stint with the 67's.  Think he earned D man of the year at that level (not sure however).
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His production with the 67's was largely from PP time with Marco Rossi. He's a good project.
 
https://twitter.com/koshtorontosun/status/1445575941091069956
He?s really good once he corrals the loose puck, and an actual breakaway threat. I think it will be fun.

The full explanation is that Dean Chynoweth wants an aggressive PK, lots of pressure and reads, so you need lots of bodies to keep things up-tempo, and offensive instincts to anticipate and feel out openings in the powerplay. Carolina used several of their offensive players on the PK to good effect. Might see Matthews get a few looks when he?s back up to speed.
 
Very underrated when it comes to puck retrievals/steals, so that talent would be useful on the PK. Also a solid faceoff option if needed, especially on his strong side.
 
So Robertson waived without much fanfare...so we figure:

Ritchie - Matthews - Marner
Mikheyev - Tavares - Nylander
Bunting - Kampf - Kase
Simmonds - Kerfoot - Spezza
Engvall

Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Holl
Sandin - Dermott

Mrazek
Campbell

Leaves them with about $80K in cap space.

 
https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1445811544152068096
This is why it pays off for your coach to rip on the third string goalie in public once in awhile. Waivers hall pass!

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1445812927114612736
 
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