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2021 Training Camp Thread

CarltonTheBear said:
https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/1345835005214416898

Let's go!
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Not sure who would round out the PK forwards with that lineup.  I know Marner, Hyman, Mikheyev and Kerfoot will be 4 of the 6 that they would typically roll.  Makes me think this is why Engvall makes lineup.
 
CarltonTheBear said:
MLHS with a transcription of Keefe's meetings with the media today: https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2021/01/04/sheldon-keefe-on-toronto-maple-leafs-blue-line/

Interesting to hear him describe how the Thornton-Matthews-Marner idea came about. Basically explains that it was more about putting Hyman and Kerfoot together on a defensive line, which is actually something he attempted to do around when he was first brought in but injuries to Johnsson and Mikheyev forced him to keep Hyman in the top-6.

He also explains that it's unlikely Thornton plays as many 5-on-5 minutes as Matthews and Marner so other guys will get slotted in there depending on the situation.
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Marner, Matthews, Tavares and Nylander are really the only four guy I would absolutely want playing 20 minutes a night.  It seems like not a bad strategy to use Matthews and Marner as fixed pair and then have the 3rd winger spot be a rotation rather than throwing Matthews randomly on the 3rd or 4th line every once and a while and playing with two unfamiliar guys

I still hope we use Tavares a little bit on the PK this year.  It seems kind of silly to be paying Matthews and Tavares a billion dollars and then have neither of them play any PK minutes.  I think Matthews is more valuable at 5on5 and PP but having Tavares take a few draws seems like a worthwhile move.
 
gunnar36 said:
CarltonTheBear said:
https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/1345835005214416898

Let's go!
Click to expand...

Not sure who would round out the PK forwards with that lineup.  I know Marner, Hyman, Mikheyev and Kerfoot will be 4 of the 6 that they would typically roll.  Makes me think this is why Engvall makes lineup.
Click to expand...

Vesey (surprisingly) and Barabanov have experience. Joey Anderson as well, if he gets into the lineup at any point. Engvall is probably the best of the bunch, and Robertson would be a dark horse candidate who is far more likely to start on PP in year one.
 
Just looking at the training camp video clips from yesterday , and is it me or does TJ Brodie look more like Sheriff Brodie from Jaws then an excited new Leaf ?

Like...he does not look happy to be here. At all.
 
https://twitter.com/tsnbobmckenzie/status/1346570960175034368

Well can't change anything now but Robertson probably should have gone to the World Juniors.

Granted the NHL making up rules as they go didn't help the situation.
 
I?m sure other teams would find a way to complain about the Leafs using a private plane as being unfair toward teams that didnt
 
https://twitter.com/LeafsPR/status/1346850102384726018

Kerfoot had something happen at practice yesterday and is day to day.
 
Are they streaming any of the scrimmages this year given that there isn't a preseason? Or do we just get the tiny snippets and then have to wait another week to see the team on the ice.
 
L K said:
Are they streaming any of the scrimmages this year given that there isn't a preseason? Or do we just get the tiny snippets and then have to wait another week to see the team on the ice.
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All of Leafs twitter is currently very kindly asking @LeafsPR to stream it but it doesn't seem like it's gonna happen.
 
Bullfrog said:
What am I missing about Vesey? I mean, why is he getting a chance on the Tavares/Nylander line?
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It's more about wanting all 3 of the other possibilities for that spot (Mikheyev, Kerfoot, and Hyman) to play together on a defensive line so Vesey is really just the only other guy.

I do think Vesey can potentially click there though, prior to Buffalo he had a good track record of scoring goals. If he falters it'll be a chance for Robertson to get into the line-up.
 
Bullfrog said:
What am I missing about Vesey? I mean, why is he getting a chance on the Tavares/Nylander line?
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Seems to score relatively a lot at even strength with limited minutes. He's also a big body that isn't slow. Like Carlton just said, he's Robertson's hurdle.

From Keefe:
What do you see with the potential of Jimmy Vesey on the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander?

Keefe: I think he brings a lot to the line. He is a big guy who takes up a lot of space with his length and reach. Also, he has good speed. When he gets his feet moving, he is a lot to handle through the neutral zone and down in the offensive zone. He has a really good stick. He gets his stick on a lot of pucks and creates a lot of loose-puck situations where he gets the puck back for his linemates. We think that is going to help John and Will in that way.

He has got a good skill set. When he gets the puck around the net, he can score. Lots of really good things there. We expect him to be a guy who is really skating and working on that line. It is a good opportunity for him. He has had two good days here so far. We are looking to see him continue to build on that.
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https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2021/01/05/sheldon-keefe-on-the-toronto-maple-leafs-power-play/

Split PP time! which is an elective surgery I'm sure many of you did not want to know existed.
Does having Joe Thornton around make you reconsider what the first power-play unit is going to look like?

Keefe: Yes, it does. Not just him, but Wayne Simmonds. We have given thought to that. We are not there yet, but the answer is we are going to establish two units from the start and look to build some chemistry there. I think we feel confident having the four forwards from last year play together. We feel confident in that group and feel we can go to it at any time. We also feel like there will be times that we will go to it, but we wanted to really work at establishing two units here with the depth that we have.
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As others have said, he put up decent numbers with the Rangers in limited ice time and playing with linemates who aren't of the same calibre as Tavares and Nylander. He should be a solid addition the line, and maybe shows some of why he had so much hyper around him a few years ago.
 
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