Holland placed on waivers, signs contract [1 year, $1.3mil AAV]

[herman]

I hate to say this, but looking at that glut of forwards, I could see them sending Marner back to junior (worthless as that would be) if he struggles in camp.  Because, let's face it, if the AHL were an option, that's likely where he would go, at least to start.

I agree AHL would be the destination of choice for Marner if he were eligible.

There was a marked difference in Marner's approach at the Prospect Development camp this year compared to last year's Training Camp. I think he's in it to win a spot this time around: much less nervous about doing something wrong, and far more interested in playing his game of generating opportunities.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Guaranteed	Veteran	Kid
Kadri JVR Bozak Komarov Martin Nylander Matthews	Lupul* Laich Michalek Greening Holland Froese	Leivo Hyman Marner Soshnikov Brown Leipsic Rychel

Assuming the Leafs carry 8 defenceman (which seems likely unless they waive Corrado), there's room on the roster for 13 forwards. 7 already have spots locked up. 6 spots open. That's likely split between 3 vets/3 kids or 4 vets/2 kids.

*I'm counting Lupul as a healthy body for now  Me too.

It is that 14th forward/8th dman that I am not sure of.

I was looking at what might be considered unconventional lines where in the past JVR and Bozak + Kadri and Komarov played together but here is what I would roll with:

JVR / Kadri / Nylander
Lupul / Bozak / Michalek (veteran line)
Martin / Matthews / Marner (2 skilled kids with a cop)
Greening / Laich / Komarov
PressBox:Leivo, Holland

(I would prefer the 4th line be:
Leivo / Holland / Komarov
PressBox:Froese)

Rielly / Zaitsev
Gardiner / Polak
Marincin / Carrick
PressBox:Hunwick, Corrado

Maybe 9 games for Marner then sent down to OHL but then he can't be recalled until his team's season ends. I guess it will be sending Greening to the AHL...or a combination of both if Marner isn't showing confidence in his play.

 

[skrackle]

I hate to say this, but looking at that glut of forwards, I could see them sending Marner back to junior (worthless as that would be) if he struggles in camp.  Because, let's face it, if the AHL were an option, that's likely where he would go, at least to start.

I agree AHL would be the destination of choice for Marner if he were eligible.

There was a marked difference in Marner's approach at the Prospect Development camp this year compared to last year's Training Camp. I think he's in it to win a spot this time around: much less nervous about doing something wrong, and far more interested in playing his game of generating opportunities.

I think there might be an exceptional player rule under which the Leafs could make a case for assigning Marner to the AHL this year. That is, if he's not a lock to make the team. I seem to recall an article on TSN's website (which I'm not going to try to find) by Gary Lawless on this topic.

It would be good for the Leafs and for Marner to have the AHL as an option.

 

[Kin]

I hate to say this, but looking at that glut of forwards, I could see them sending Marner back to junior (worthless as that would be) if he struggles in camp.  Because, let's face it, if the AHL were an option, that's likely where he would go, at least to start.

I think that would be a terrible mistake. It's not important that Marner is super successful this year, it is important that he's challenged.

 

[bustaheims]

I think there might be an exceptional player rule under which the Leafs could make a case for assigning Marner to the AHL this year. That is, if he's not a lock to make the team. I seem to recall an article on TSN's website (which I'm not going to try to find) by Gary Lawless on this topic.

It would be good for the Leafs and for Marner to have the AHL as an option.

The exceptional player rule applies to 15 year olds been eligible for the CHL a year early. There is no equivalent for the AHL - though, many have argued there should be.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I seem to recall an article on TSN's website (which I'm not going to try to find) by Gary Lawless on this topic.

That article was about how there should be that kind of rule for exception players not ready for the NHL. But it's likely not happening anytime soon.

 

[skrackle]

I think there might be an exceptional player rule under which the Leafs could make a case for assigning Marner to the AHL this year. That is, if he's not a lock to make the team. I seem to recall an article on TSN's website (which I'm not going to try to find) by Gary Lawless on this topic.

It would be good for the Leafs and for Marner to have the AHL as an option.

The exceptional player rule applies to 15 year olds been eligible for the CHL a year early. There is no equivalent for the AHL - though, many have argued there should be.

Right. Not sure what Lawless was on about in that case, but maybe (probably) it's my faulty memory.

Then it's either the Leafs or another year of junior. If those are the only two options for Marner, I'd rather see him make the Leafs. I don't think he's got anything left to prove in junior.

He might be more physically ready a year from now, but a year of trial by fire in the NHL while he matures is not necessarily a bad thing. It's up to the team to manage this, one way or another.

 

[jonlleafs]

I hate to say this, but looking at that glut of forwards, I could see them sending Marner back to junior (worthless as that would be) if he struggles in camp.  Because, let's face it, if the AHL were an option, that's likely where he would go, at least to start.

I think that would be a terrible mistake. It's not important that Marner is super successful this year, it is important that he's challenged.

Agreed and that he doesn't get killed out there either.  It's all about learning for Marner if he remains in the NHL

 

[herman]

Holland is getting pushed out of the conversation of even his own thread.

 

[Highlander]

Never heard of him 8)

 

[L K]

Guaranteed	Veteran	Kid
Kadri JVR Bozak Komarov Martin Nylander Matthews	Lupul Laich Michalek Greening Holland	Leivo Hyman Marner Soshnikov Brown Leipsic Rychel

Assuming the Leafs carry 8 defenceman (which seems likely unless they waive Corrado), there's room on the roster for 13 forwards. 7 already have spots locked up. 6 spots open. That's likely split between 3 vets/3 kids or 4 vets/2 kids.

I know you aren't including everyone under contract in the organization (ie, Kapanen and Lindberg are Marlie bound unless they have an amazing camp), but considering Babcock's affinity for him last season, Froese is missing from your list.  He would seem to fall in-between Vet and Kid and may take a spot.

If Froese gets a roster spot this year the organization has a problem.

 

[L K]

I hate to say this, but looking at that glut of forwards, I could see them sending Marner back to junior (worthless as that would be) if he struggles in camp.  Because, let's face it, if the AHL were an option, that's likely where he would go, at least to start.

I think that would be a terrible mistake. It's not important that Marner is super successful this year, it is important that he's challenged.

I've been saying it all year.  Marner's development stalls if he goes back to junior.  Marner should be penciled in as the 12th/13th forward.  If he struggles, so be it, he'll only play 30 games then.  When he's in the lineup he should be put in situations to succeed and he needs the NHL level tutelage.  Marner really doesn't need to bulk up, it's not his game.  He needs to play the same way that Patrick Kane does and that doesn't require him to gain 30 pounds of muscle.  Marner's elusiveness is why he will succeed and anything that slows that down isn't going to make him a better player.  He can become thicker but he's never going to be a guy weighing 190 lbs, nor should he.

If Marner is in the juniors while guys like Michalek/Holland are on the roster the Leafs are doing development wrong.

 

[Tigger]

Holland is getting pushed out of the conversation of even his own thread.

...triple Dutch? He'll never be that Dutch.