Preseason: Canadiens @ Leafs - Sept. 24th, 7:30pm - TSN4, TSN 1050

[herman]

https://twitter.com/OLW93/status/1044388499137294336

Hudon's excellent goal. Not shown was Valiev's stretch pass to get things started. The reverse angle on the play showed that Borgman stepped up on the blueline for no particular reason and that put Hudon in an easy position to receive a clean pass behind Borgman at the blueline/boards in his blindspot.

To Borgman's credit, he caught up and made a play there to try to neutralize Hudon. Sparks' decision to go for the pokecheck is suspect and shows a lack of communication or awareness with what Borgman was trying to do (similar to DeBrusk's goal on Andersen/Gardiner). Not sure if hitting the rusher is something they script for the defense, but it makes the play very difficult for the goalie to track and anticipate sudden movements (i.e. changes in angles). I'd much rather the defense just post up body position (hips into the hands) and lean on the rusher to steer him out of the middle.

 

[Frank E]

https://twitter.com/OLW93/status/1044388499137294336

Hudon's excellent goal. Not shown was Valiev's stretch pass to get things started. The reverse angle on the play showed that Borgman stepped up on the blueline for no particular reason and that put Hudon in an easy position to receive a clean pass behind Borgman at the blueline/boards in his blindspot.

To Borgman's credit, he caught up and made a play there to try to neutralize Hudon. Sparks' decision to go for the pokecheck is suspect and shows a lack of communication or awareness with what Borgman was trying to do (similar to DeBrusk's goal on Andersen/Gardiner). Not sure if hitting the rusher is something they script for the defense, but it makes the play very difficult for the goalie to track and anticipate sudden movements (i.e. changes in angles). I'd much rather the defense just post up body position (hips into the hands) and lean on the rusher to steer him out of the middle.

Borgman didn't play it optimally, but Sparks definitely went down early on what should have been an easy stop.

 

[Coco-puffs]

https://twitter.com/OLW93/status/1044388499137294336

Hudon's excellent goal. Not shown was Valiev's stretch pass to get things started. The reverse angle on the play showed that Borgman stepped up on the blueline for no particular reason and that put Hudon in an easy position to receive a clean pass behind Borgman at the blueline/boards in his blindspot.

To Borgman's credit, he caught up and made a play there to try to neutralize Hudon. Sparks' decision to go for the pokecheck is suspect and shows a lack of communication or awareness with what Borgman was trying to do (similar to DeBrusk's goal on Andersen/Gardiner). Not sure if hitting the rusher is something they script for the defense, but it makes the play very difficult for the goalie to track and anticipate sudden movements (i.e. changes in angles). I'd much rather the defense just post up body position (hips into the hands) and lean on the rusher to steer him out of the middle.

Borgman didn't play it optimally, but Sparks definitely went down early on what should have been an easy stop.

Sparks was going for the poke check, expecting Borgman to at least provide a bit more resistance on the player... thats why he was down.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Sparks went down because all goalies do these days. As for the poke check, terrible decision. He stays down with his stick in the correct position, easy stop. Borgman didn't play it great but Sparks played it terribly.

 

[Highlander]

Sparks is making it very difficult to defend him.

He?s making it easy to pass through waivers.

He's playing the long game. Pass through waivers, come up next year

He's battling back a bit with a handful of pretty respectable saves. All things considered, I'd rather keep him if there's a reasonable chance of his deficiencies being coachable.

I dunno. I get the idea that Sparks is 10 years younger and maybe could play more than McBackup but man at what point do you say McBackup is playing better in the NHL in the here and now? I know he's 35 and might fall apart quickly, but he's shown no signs of slowing down since the Leafs got him. I've wanted to believe in Sparks with his amazing AHL run but show me something with the big club buddy

I agree with you completely,  I hope Sparks can clear waivers as McBackup looks like our best option for this season and this season is a cup run.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Sparks went down because all goalies do these days. As for the poke check, terrible decision. He stays down with his stick in the correct position, easy stop. Borgman didn't play it great but Sparks played it terribly.

If it was a game meaning anything, both players would get a seat at the end of the bench after that play if I was coaching.

 

[Hobbes]

Sparks is making it very difficult to defend him.

He?s making it easy to pass through waivers.

He's playing the long game. Pass through waivers, come up next year

He's battling back a bit with a handful of pretty respectable saves. All things considered, I'd rather keep him if there's a reasonable chance of his deficiencies being coachable.

I dunno. I get the idea that Sparks is 10 years younger and maybe could play more than McBackup but man at what point do you say McBackup is playing better in the NHL in the here and now? I know he's 35 and might fall apart quickly, but he's shown no signs of slowing down since the Leafs got him. I've wanted to believe in Sparks with his amazing AHL run but show me something with the big club buddy

I agree with you completely,  I hope Sparks can clear waivers as McBackup looks like our best option for this season and this season is a cup run.

I agree that if I were Babcock I'd want McBackup every single time over Sparks. At some point in the next few years that equation will change, but I don't know enough about goaltending to know whether that's more likely to happen early this year, or in another year or two, or never. Like you I'd hoped that his performance last year would translate to being NHL-ready this year, but he sure hasn't shown that in what I've seen of his training camp.

I have a feeling that he won't clear waivers and yet probably wouldn't fetch much at all in trade, which is a shame.


In last night's game the only player who looked even remotely interested in earning a NHL spot was Kapenen.

 

[Bullfrog]

I agree. Despite some comments here, I thought Kapanen looked pretty good.

 

[Highlander]

I know Borgman was on ice for most of the goals against, but I blame almost all of them on Holl. Holl has played his way out of his chance, but for the most part I thought Borgman has looked very good in the preseason. He or Rosen would be given a shot this year.
Carrick and Marincin are looking pretty pedestrian.

 

[Coco-puffs]

I know Borgman was on ice for most of the goals against, but I blame almost all of them on Holl. Holl has played his way out of his chance, but for the most part I thought Borgman has looked very good in the preseason. He or Rosen would be given a shot this year.
Carrick and Marincin are looking pretty pedestrian.

Even the two goals Borgman was on with Subban?

EDIT: 
Watched all of them again: 
First one, Holl can be blamed because he turned the puck over trying to move it up the boards (looked like a bad bounce, but hard to tell) from his backhand.  Afterwards Holl takes his man to the net,  and Lindholm ALSO tries to take one of the shooter or Holl's man.  Borgman kinda stands still and should have been more aggressive trying to get to the shooter, but he's probably still the least to blame.  Third forward is left all alone at the side of the net to put in the blocked shot (I think Lindholm should have gone to that guy).  I'd put the blame on a mix of Holl (turnover) and Lindholm (lost the third forward in coverage).

Second one, shot from the point, Holl has his man who's going to the high slot looking for a royal road pass.  Borgman is with his man who's in front but doesn't exactly do a great job covering him... that said, Sparks wasn't screened by the Hab in front.  But Cracknell screens his own goalie on the shot trying to block it.  Didn't see enough build up to the goal to see if there were bad things from Holl or Borgman prior to it.

Those were the goals Holl was on for with Borgman.  The others Borgman was with Subban. 

 

[cabber24]

What a crappy game. I was there in person. Literally nobody stood out. Nothing to be happy about, crap game all around. And $12.50 beer!!

Brutal, I saw the Leafs lose 4-1 to PHX last year. A terribly slow unentertaining game. It sucks to get a stinker when you actually get to attend.

 

[cabber24]

Plenty of defensive options and nobody stepping up and running away with a roster spot.

I would say 2 spots are up for grabs and we have: Dermott, Carrick, Borgman, Rosen, Ozhinganov, and Holl battling for a spot.

I would go with Dermott and Ozhinganov? Maybe Borgman? I wish the decision was more obvious.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

Plenty of defensive options and nobody stepping up and running away with a roster spot.

I would say 2 spots are up for grabs and we have: Dermott, Carrick, Borgman, Rosen, Ozhinganov, and Holl battling for a spot.

I would go with Dermott and Ozhinganov? Maybe Borgman? I wish the decision was more obvious.

From what I've seen so far, the Blizzard of Oz is a lock.  Need to see more of Rosen, Borgman and Dermott.  I give Dermott the edge so far only because he looked pretty good last season. 

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Plenty of defensive options and nobody stepping up and running away with a roster spot.

I would say 2 spots are up for grabs and we have: Dermott, Carrick, Borgman, Rosen, Ozhinganov, and Holl battling for a spot.

I would go with Dermott and Ozhinganov? Maybe Borgman? I wish the decision was more obvious.

From what I've seen so far, the Blizzard of Oz is a lock.  Need to see more of Rosen, Borgman and Dermott.  I give Dermott the edge so far only because he looked pretty good last season.

From what Ive watched, Rosen has looked better than Borgman and Dermott.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Plenty of defensive options and nobody stepping up and running away with a roster spot.

I would say 2 spots are up for grabs and we have: Dermott, Carrick, Borgman, Rosen, Ozhinganov, and Holl battling for a spot.

I would go with Dermott and Ozhinganov? Maybe Borgman? I wish the decision was more obvious.

From what I've seen so far, the Blizzard of Oz is a lock.  Need to see more of Rosen, Borgman and Dermott.  I give Dermott the edge so far only because he looked pretty good last season.

From what Ive watched, Rosen has looked better than Borgman and Dermott.

Agreed. He took a huge step up last year and from what I read, was probably the Marlies best D man in the playoffs. He's looked the best out of the group. I think the Blizzard of Oz is going to get a shot.
As for the goalies. Don't be surprised if they waive McBackup. He has a better chance of clearing because of his age. Based solely on play Sparks should be the one on waivers but it doesn't always work that way. Idea is to try and keep both.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

From what Ive watched, Rosen has looked better than Borgman and Dermott.

Agreed. Also, I know he's destined for the Marlies, but am I the only one really, really impressed with Sandin's play?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Agreed. Also, I know he's destined for the Marlies, but am I the only one really, really impressed with Sandin's play?

Things could change of course, but prior to camp all indications were that he'd be returning to Sweden actually.

 

[Hobbes]

From what Ive watched, Rosen has looked better than Borgman and Dermott.

Agreed. Also, I know he's destined for the Marlies, but am I the only one really, really impressed with Sandin's play?

Sandin is one of a handful of guys who are definitely not ready for the NHL yet but who have impressed with their potential. Perhaps in another year or two they'll be ready to seriously compete for an NHL job.

What's most curious/disappointing is the players who are supposedly ready to compete for one now don't seam to be doing so.

 

[Coco-puffs]

Agreed. Also, I know he's destined for the Marlies, but am I the only one really, really impressed with Sandin's play?

Things could change of course, but prior to camp all indications were that he'd be returning to Sweden actually.

Yeah, the word was that he wasn't going to go back to the Soo.  So unless he made the Marlies that would mean going back to the SHL.  I, for one, would prefer he stays with the Marlies.  Punt Andrew Neilsen if there are too many bodies down there to make room.