Line-up changes

[Redleaf]

I want to see how these guys respond to Carlyle in the next 10 games or so.  We should start to see who his go-to guys are real quick, and which players he throws into the doghouse for not working hard enough.  I really liked his move of throwing Frattin up with Grabovski last game, he really played a good game and played a lot.  Should be interesting to see where year long busts like Connolly end up under Carlyle.

Agreed. I'm interested in seeing how the defence works out under Carlyle. Id like to see if guys like Komi and Schenn develop some more confidence moving forward.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Should be interesting to see where year long busts like Connolly end up under Carlyle.

Based on practice reports yesterday, I would guess Connolly ends up on the 4th line with getting spot time on the power play.

For now, i'm talking over the span of the next few weeks.  Leafs aren't going to want a guy on the 4th line making $4.75 million.  If he doesn't significantly improve under Carlyle he'll be gone soon.

Gone where? Don't think you want to burry a contract like that in the minors. That would make potential UFAs extremely weary from signing here without a NMC. The only way you can trade him is if you take back equally crappy contract.

 

[Newbury]

Should be interesting to see where year long busts like Connolly end up under Carlyle.

Based on practice reports yesterday, I would guess Connolly ends up on the 4th line with getting spot time on the power play.

For now, i'm talking over the span of the next few weeks.  Leafs aren't going to want a guy on the 4th line making $4.75 million.  If he doesn't significantly improve under Carlyle he'll be gone soon.

Gone where? Don't think you want to burry a contract like that in the minors. That would make potential UFAs extremely weary from signing here without a NMC. The only way you can trade him is if you take back equally crappy contract.

I'm sick of hearing that as an excuse. You should be playing where your current level of play warrants. Connolly, at best right now, is a fourth liner. I'd even consider scratching him. The hell with potential free agents who are scared they might get buried if they throw in the towel.

 

[pnjunction]

I disagree about Crabb. He has been one of the hardest forechecking forwards on this team. Always goes in with a heavy hit.

I wonder if he is yet another guy that could have a bigger impact under a new system.  We saw him putting up points for a while on a 3rd line that basically tried to play the same style as the top 2 lines under Wilson, but he doesn't have the skill to sustain that in the NHL.  I wonder if RC can get him to settle into an effective role in the bottom 6 throwing the body around and jumping on opportunities.

 

[Tigger]

Should be interesting to see where year long busts like Connolly end up under Carlyle.

Based on practice reports yesterday, I would guess Connolly ends up on the 4th line with getting spot time on the power play.

If the Leafs manage to take a penalty he'll be pk'ing as well.

I know there were 5 guys wearing maroon yesterday but I'm not sure why he'd be off the third line aside from that practice, is Army getting a look there?

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Should be interesting to see where year long busts like Connolly end up under Carlyle.

Based on practice reports yesterday, I would guess Connolly ends up on the 4th line with getting spot time on the power play.

For now, i'm talking over the span of the next few weeks.  Leafs aren't going to want a guy on the 4th line making $4.75 million.  If he doesn't significantly improve under Carlyle he'll be gone soon.

Gone where? Don't think you want to burry a contract like that in the minors. That would make potential UFAs extremely weary from signing here without a NMC. The only way you can trade him is if you take back equally crappy contract.

I'm sick of hearing that as an excuse. You should be playing where your current level of play warrants. Connolly, at best right now, is a fourth liner. I'd even consider scratching him. The hell with potential free agents who are scared they might get buried if they throw in the towel.

I hear you but I'm assuming with pro athletes and egos involved it's not that simple. No one wants to sign with a team then get demoted to the minors if they have a crappy year. If the league feels so strongly by being handicapped with potential passenger contracts they should be fighting tooth and nail for non-guaranteed contracts like NFL has.

 

[Zee]

Should be interesting to see where year long busts like Connolly end up under Carlyle.

Based on practice reports yesterday, I would guess Connolly ends up on the 4th line with getting spot time on the power play.

For now, i'm talking over the span of the next few weeks.  Leafs aren't going to want a guy on the 4th line making $4.75 million.  If he doesn't significantly improve under Carlyle he'll be gone soon.

Gone where? Don't think you want to burry a contract like that in the minors. That would make potential UFAs extremely weary from signing here without a NMC. The only way you can trade him is if you take back equally crappy contract.

Huh?  Why would a UFA not want to sign here?  Because if you sign a big contract, then put up numbers like a 4th liner the team won't like you?  That's pretty much how business goes, if you don't perform like people expect you're shipped out.  Players can't expect to sign big money contracts and then stick with the team regardless of how poorly they play.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Should be interesting to see where year long busts like Connolly end up under Carlyle.

Based on practice reports yesterday, I would guess Connolly ends up on the 4th line with getting spot time on the power play.

For now, i'm talking over the span of the next few weeks.  Leafs aren't going to want a guy on the 4th line making $4.75 million.  If he doesn't significantly improve under Carlyle he'll be gone soon.

Gone where? Don't think you want to burry a contract like that in the minors. That would make potential UFAs extremely weary from signing here without a NMC. The only way you can trade him is if you take back equally crappy contract.

Huh?  Why would a UFA not want to sign here?  Because if you sign a big contract, then put up numbers like a 4th liner the team won't like you?  That's pretty much how business goes, if you don't perform like people expect you're shipped out.  Players can't expect to sign big money contracts and then stick with the team regardless of how poorly they play.

I think Connoly still has some value to the team. Plus you can trade him in February for an asset as he will be an upcoming UFA then. I know he sucks but his contract length is very managable.

 

[The Red Polar Bear]

So, in reading all the interviews this past week or so, does anyone else get the vibe that Steckel really didn't like playing for Wilson?

4. Dave Steckel was pleased to see his role expand in Carlyle's first game behind the bench. Steckel joined a third line checking unit with Nikolai Kulemin and Tim Connolly, logging over 15 minutes against the Canadiens. ?I welcome the minutes and I just hope to prove to him that I can play those minutes,? he told TSN.ca. ?It was pretty clear-cut that he wants to have a checking line on this team?It's easier to play when you have a goal as a line in mind going into the game, you know what he wants.?

"All he expects us to do is work hard and use our speed," Dave Steckel told TSN.ca, encouraged by an uptick in ice-time and opportunity against the Canadiens. "He's going to implement some tweaks to the system which is going to be great. We're going to tighten up and allow us to be a little more defensively responsible and that's pretty much it."

"I think the thing that stuck out the most was he's firm, but he's fair," Steckel said. "Obviously he wants a good work ethic and I think that's first and foremost how any team should go out and approach it. Skill will eventually take over, but your skill's not going to do you any good if you're not working."

 

[Zee]

Should be interesting to see where year long busts like Connolly end up under Carlyle.

Based on practice reports yesterday, I would guess Connolly ends up on the 4th line with getting spot time on the power play.

For now, i'm talking over the span of the next few weeks.  Leafs aren't going to want a guy on the 4th line making $4.75 million.  If he doesn't significantly improve under Carlyle he'll be gone soon.

Gone where? Don't think you want to burry a contract like that in the minors. That would make potential UFAs extremely weary from signing here without a NMC. The only way you can trade him is if you take back equally crappy contract.

Huh?  Why would a UFA not want to sign here?  Because if you sign a big contract, then put up numbers like a 4th liner the team won't like you?  That's pretty much how business goes, if you don't perform like people expect you're shipped out.  Players can't expect to sign big money contracts and then stick with the team regardless of how poorly they play.

I think Connoly still has some value to the team. Plus you can trade him in February for an asset as he will be an upcoming UFA then. I know he sucks but his contract length is very managable.

I think they'll look to move him in the summer.  He only has 1 year left and some team might want to take a shot at him rebounding.

 

[leafplasma]

I think brown brings more intangibles to the table than rosehill...but that's me

You could be right but how much the difference is probably could be served better by either Crabb or Boyce, any other Marlie with a slight taste...

Maybe half the problem with this team is just what Randy has been saying.  The guys need clearly defined roles.  Having a bunch of Joey Crabbs filling out your bottom two lines is maybe going to get you more of what we have seen all season.  Joey is a decent player but not real good at anything in particular.  If Rosehill is up and told to do a job at least he can throw a punishing check or play with some grit and be pretty good at that role at least.

I disagree about Crabb. He has been one of the hardest forechecking forwards on this team. Always goes in with a heavy hit.

I have seen shifts not this season however, where Rosehill looked like an insane lunatic out there hitting everything in site.  I remember saying that is the energy we need out of that guy, even if it is for just 5 minutes per night, just strike fear into the opposition for those 5 minutes.  Rosehill needs to be given that role and that alone.  Joey Crabb I agree can work hard and he is a little bit good at everything but maybe a bit of the Rosehill asylum act is what we need, some of the sideshow craze that we have seen in guys like Corson and Tucker could be what is needed against a team like Boston.

When you look at some of the successful lineups like the Blues and Coyotes it certainly appears that we have the talent to stack up against those clubs.  Our lineup on paper looks even better when you try to find spots to pencil in Connoly and Lombardi.  The thing is those clubs have role players  which is why their lineups may look a bit mehh from a non fan of that team.  They are well coached teams though and I think with Randy you may see better performances from guys like Armstrong, Rosehill, Komi and Schenn as those players will be given a job that is suited to their skill set and the Leafs may finally look like a team.  Heres to hoping that is the case anyway.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Should be interesting to see where year long busts like Connolly end up under Carlyle.

Based on practice reports yesterday, I would guess Connolly ends up on the 4th line with getting spot time on the power play.

For now, i'm talking over the span of the next few weeks.  Leafs aren't going to want a guy on the 4th line making $4.75 million.  If he doesn't significantly improve under Carlyle he'll be gone soon.

Gone where? Don't think you want to burry a contract like that in the minors. That would make potential UFAs extremely weary from signing here without a NMC. The only way you can trade him is if you take back equally crappy contract.

Huh?  Why would a UFA not want to sign here?  Because if you sign a big contract, then put up numbers like a 4th liner the team won't like you?  That's pretty much how business goes, if you don't perform like people expect you're shipped out.  Players can't expect to sign big money contracts and then stick with the team regardless of how poorly they play.

I think Connoly still has some value to the team. Plus you can trade him in February for an asset as he will be an upcoming UFA then. I know he sucks but his contract length is very managable.

I think they'll look to move him in the summer.  He only has 1 year left and some team might want to take a shot at him rebounding.

Hopefully that's true. Hopefully they will be able to get rid off Lomabrdi as well.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

I have seen shifts not this season however, where Rosehill looked like an insane lunatic out there hitting everything in site.  I remember saying that is the energy we need out of that guy, even if it is for just 5 minutes per night, just strike fear into the opposition for those 5 minutes.  Rosehill needs to be given that role and that alone. 

I've been saying for the last couple years that Rosehill should play more.  He has a great set of wheels and can hit, and fight when need be.  He also has at least a modicum of hockey sense, a little more than Colton Orr has. 

I look forward to seeing how Carlyle plays Rosehill.

 

[leafplasma]

Should be interesting to see where year long busts like Connolly end up under Carlyle.

Based on practice reports yesterday, I would guess Connolly ends up on the 4th line with getting spot time on the power play.

For now, i'm talking over the span of the next few weeks.  Leafs aren't going to want a guy on the 4th line making $4.75 million.  If he doesn't significantly improve under Carlyle he'll be gone soon.

Gone where? Don't think you want to burry a contract like that in the minors. That would make potential UFAs extremely weary from signing here without a NMC. The only way you can trade him is if you take back equally crappy contract.

I'm sick of hearing that as an excuse. You should be playing where your current level of play warrants. Connolly, at best right now, is a fourth liner. I'd even consider scratching him. The hell with potential free agents who are scared they might get buried if they throw in the towel.

I agree Wade Redden being parked in the AHL certainly didn't deter players from signing or wanting to play for the Rangers.  If it comes down to the Leafs needing to utilize the Redden treatment in order to acquire a player, we have already done it with Finger and make no bones about it Burke will do it again.

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

So, in reading all the interviews this past week or so, does anyone else get the vibe that Steckel really didn't like playing for Wilson?

4. Dave Steckel was pleased to see his role expand in Carlyle's first game behind the bench. Steckel joined a third line checking unit with Nikolai Kulemin and Tim Connolly, logging over 15 minutes against the Canadiens. ?I welcome the minutes and I just hope to prove to him that I can play those minutes,? he told TSN.ca. ?It was pretty clear-cut that he wants to have a checking line on this team?It's easier to play when you have a goal as a line in mind going into the game, you know what he wants.?

"All he expects us to do is work hard and use our speed," Dave Steckel told TSN.ca, encouraged by an uptick in ice-time and opportunity against the Canadiens. "He's going to implement some tweaks to the system which is going to be great. We're going to tighten up and allow us to be a little more defensively responsible and that's pretty much it."

"I think the thing that stuck out the most was he's firm, but he's fair," Steckel said. "Obviously he wants a good work ethic and I think that's first and foremost how any team should go out and approach it. Skill will eventually take over, but your skill's not going to do you any good if you're not working."

perhaps ...but i'm not sure it's anything more than a 4th line guy liking the opportunity to get out of the basement ..which is generally what you want from a player..for them to believe they can offer more to the team..

 

[Zee]

Should be interesting to see where year long busts like Connolly end up under Carlyle.

Based on practice reports yesterday, I would guess Connolly ends up on the 4th line with getting spot time on the power play.

For now, i'm talking over the span of the next few weeks.  Leafs aren't going to want a guy on the 4th line making $4.75 million.  If he doesn't significantly improve under Carlyle he'll be gone soon.

Gone where? Don't think you want to burry a contract like that in the minors. That would make potential UFAs extremely weary from signing here without a NMC. The only way you can trade him is if you take back equally crappy contract.

I'm sick of hearing that as an excuse. You should be playing where your current level of play warrants. Connolly, at best right now, is a fourth liner. I'd even consider scratching him. The hell with potential free agents who are scared they might get buried if they throw in the towel.

I agree Wade Redden being parked in the AHL certainly didn't deter players from signing or wanting to play for the Rangers.  If it comes down to the Leafs needing to utilize the Redden treatment in order to acquire a player, we have already done it with Finger and make no bones about it Burke will do it again.

I think players recognize and accept the new economics of the game.  If you have a huge contract and don't live up to it, you'll be in trouble.  I don't see players breaking down the doors of the Habs to go and play there because they're carrying Gomez's worst contract in hockey as opposed to burying him in the minors.  It's not like by putting Connolly to the minors he wouldn't get his money either, he just doesn't get to play in the NHL at that money.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Should be interesting to see where year long busts like Connolly end up under Carlyle.

Based on practice reports yesterday, I would guess Connolly ends up on the 4th line with getting spot time on the power play.

For now, i'm talking over the span of the next few weeks.  Leafs aren't going to want a guy on the 4th line making $4.75 million.  If he doesn't significantly improve under Carlyle he'll be gone soon.

Gone where? Don't think you want to burry a contract like that in the minors. That would make potential UFAs extremely weary from signing here without a NMC. The only way you can trade him is if you take back equally crappy contract.

I'm sick of hearing that as an excuse. You should be playing where your current level of play warrants. Connolly, at best right now, is a fourth liner. I'd even consider scratching him. The hell with potential free agents who are scared they might get buried if they throw in the towel.

I agree Wade Redden being parked in the AHL certainly didn't deter players from signing or wanting to play for the Rangers.  If it comes down to the Leafs needing to utilize the Redden treatment in order to acquire a player, we have already done it with Finger and make no bones about it Burke will do it again.

I think players recognize and accept the new economics of the game.  If you have a huge contract and don't live up to it, you'll be in trouble.  I don't see players breaking down the doors of the Habs to go and play there because they're carrying Gomez's worst contract in hockey as opposed to burying him in the minors.  It's not like by putting Connolly to the minors he wouldn't get his money either, he just doesn't get to play in the NHL at that money.

I don't think Gomez is a right fit in this argument because Gomez's mammoth contract was inherited by Montreal. Connolly was awarded his deal by Burke.

 

[Zee]

Should be interesting to see where year long busts like Connolly end up under Carlyle.

Based on practice reports yesterday, I would guess Connolly ends up on the 4th line with getting spot time on the power play.

For now, i'm talking over the span of the next few weeks.  Leafs aren't going to want a guy on the 4th line making $4.75 million.  If he doesn't significantly improve under Carlyle he'll be gone soon.

Gone where? Don't think you want to burry a contract like that in the minors. That would make potential UFAs extremely weary from signing here without a NMC. The only way you can trade him is if you take back equally crappy contract.

I'm sick of hearing that as an excuse. You should be playing where your current level of play warrants. Connolly, at best right now, is a fourth liner. I'd even consider scratching him. The hell with potential free agents who are scared they might get buried if they throw in the towel.

I agree Wade Redden being parked in the AHL certainly didn't deter players from signing or wanting to play for the Rangers.  If it comes down to the Leafs needing to utilize the Redden treatment in order to acquire a player, we have already done it with Finger and make no bones about it Burke will do it again.

I think players recognize and accept the new economics of the game.  If you have a huge contract and don't live up to it, you'll be in trouble.  I don't see players breaking down the doors of the Habs to go and play there because they're carrying Gomez's worst contract in hockey as opposed to burying him in the minors.  It's not like by putting Connolly to the minors he wouldn't get his money either, he just doesn't get to play in the NHL at that money.

I don't think Gomez is a right fit in this argument because Gomez's mammoth contract was inherited by Montreal. Connolly was awarded his deal by Burke.

Inherited or not they're still carrying him when they should bury him for the good of their team.

 

[bustaheims]

I don't think Gomez is a right fit in this argument because Gomez's mammoth contract was inherited by Montreal. Connolly was awarded his deal by Burke.

That's not really true. The Habs actively chose to take on that contract.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

I don't think Gomez is a right fit in this argument because Gomez's mammoth contract was inherited by Montreal. Connolly was awarded his deal by Burke.

That's not really true. The Habs actively chose to take on that contract.

I don't really have any attachment to Connolly as a player on this team. If they can shed him by sending him to the minors I hope he takes Lombardi and Armstrong with him. Dunno if MLSE is willing to pay 11 million dollars for guys to play in the minors.