PS: Leafs @ Sabres - Sept. 26th, 7:00pm - SN1, TSN 1050

[CarltonTheBear]

Leafs play the Sabres tonight in their 5th pre-season game of the year. Bozak and Clarkson were both targeting tonight for their debut so we'll have to wait and see if that happens. No real roster information yet as yesterday was a day-off, but we'll know more once the morning skate happens of course.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Projected line-up:

Lupul-Bozak-Leivo
Nylander-Kadri-Clarkson
Komarov-Holland-Kozun
Winnik-Carrick-Bodie

Phaneuf-Granberg
Tallinder-Holzer
Percy-Polak

Reimer
Bibeau

That forward group is the closest we've gotten to what we might see opening day (guys in bold). Heck, even Carrick might surprise and get that 4th line centre spot given his and Kontiola's play.

 

[Frank E]

Projected line-up:

Lupul-Bozak-Leivo
Nylander-Kadri-Clarkson
Komarov-Holland-Kozun
Winnik-Carrick-Bodie

Phaneuf-Granberg
Tallinder-Holzer
Percy-Polak

Reimer
Bibeau

That forward group is the closest we've gotten to what we might see opening day (guys in bold). Heck, even Carrick might surprise and get that 4th line centre spot given his and Kontiola's play.

I've mentioned it already, but I think Carrick has been pretty good for that 4th line role. 

He's grindy.

We'll see how he plays tonight.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Carrick's play has been good. I also like his fearless, in your face approach. He'll be in tough to make the team though IMO.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Carrick's play has been good. I also like his fearless, in your face approach. He'll be in tough to make the team though IMO.

He's somebody who I can see quickly becoming a Randy favourite though, which will really help obviously. And Spott liked him too from the Marlies. It all depends on what happens with Kontiola and Santorelli though. If Kontiola doesn't work out it opens up a spot at centre, which will either be filled by Santorelli or a Marlie. If the team decides to keep Santorelli on the wing at that point, then I think the 4C position is Carrick's to lose.

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
JVR-Kadri-Clarkson
Komarov-Holland-Santorelli
Winnik-Carrick-Booth/Bodie/Frattin/Ashton/Orr

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

It all depends on what happens with Kontiola and Santorelli though. If Kontiola doesn't work out it opens up a spot at centre, which will either be filled by Santorelli or a Marlie. If the team decides to keep Santorelli on the wing at that point, then I think the 4C position is Carrick's to lose.

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
JVR-Kadri-Clarkson
Komarov-Holland-Santorelli
Winnik-Carrick-Booth/Bodie/Frattin/Ashton/Orr

From what I read this morning, it's seems Kontiola is beating himself out of a spot, I doubt he'll be a factor. Seigel also makes it sound like Carlyle is going to play Santorelli in the 4 spot and use him like McClement, while also pushing Holland for his minutes.

 

[Redleaf]

Between Carrick and Komarov, you'd be hard pressed to find a duo with more grit and determination, combined with some skill. I hope Carrick makes this team.

 

[Frank E]

Carrick's play has been good. I also like his fearless, in your face approach. He'll be in tough to make the team though IMO.

He's somebody who I can see quickly becoming a Randy favourite though, which will really help obviously. And Spott liked him too from the Marlies. It all depends on what happens with Kontiola and Santorelli though. If Kontiola doesn't work out it opens up a spot at centre, which will either be filled by Santorelli or a Marlie. If the team decides to keep Santorelli on the wing at that point, then I think the 4C position is Carrick's to lose.

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
JVR-Kadri-Clarkson
Komarov-Holland-Santorelli
Winnik-Carrick-Booth/Bodie/Frattin/Ashton/Orr

Anyone think Ashton is still in the mix?

I think this might be their group:

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
JVR-Kadri-Clarkson
Komarov-Holland-Santorelli
Winnik-Carrick-Booth
Bodie/Frattin

Phaneuf - Robidas
Gardiner - Polak
Rielly - Franson
Holzer

Riemer
Bernier

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

For the record, I'd be happy if Carrick won the 4th line position. I just think having one or both of Booth and Frattin on the team will win out in terms of numbers.

JvR/ Bozak/ Kessel
Booth/ Kadri/ Lupul
Komarov/ Holland/ Clarkson
Winnik/ Santorelli/ Frattin
Bodie/ Ashton

Decisions at the end will be on Kontiola/ Orr/ Nylander/ Carrick

 

[Stickytape]

Clarkson making his preseason debut against the Sabres? What could possibly go wrong? 

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Anyone think Ashton is still in the mix?

He's still below Booth and Frattin in the pecking order I think. Right there with Bodie, but should be ahead of Orr. He hasn't really stood out in camp, but in the two preseason games his opposite winger has been Biggs and Orr, so he's still in a tough spot.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

but in the two preseason games his opposite winger has been Biggs and Orr, so he's still in a tough spot.

And just like last season when he played most of his minutes with McClement and Orr.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

And just like last season when he played most of his minutes with McClement and Orr.

Right. I thought Spott might have been able to get Ashton a look with Holland at camp, since the two played together in the playoffs with the Marlies, but so far nothing.

 

[bustaheims]

but in the two preseason games his opposite winger has been Biggs and Orr, so he's still in a tough spot.

And just like last season when he played most of his minutes with McClement and Orr.

It's almost like Carlyle is stuck on what kind of player he thinks Ashton is going to be and is too stubborn to consider trying him in other roles.

 

[Frank E]

but in the two preseason games his opposite winger has been Biggs and Orr, so he's still in a tough spot.

And just like last season when he played most of his minutes with McClement and Orr.

It's almost like Carlyle is stuck on what kind of player he thinks Ashton is going to be and is too stubborn to consider trying him in other roles.

Come on, the kid wasn't very good when he got into 30+ games last year, and hasn't looked any better in camp.

If they're looking at making some changes here this year then he's certainly one I'd pass on to try a different type of guy.

 

[bustaheims]

Come on, the kid wasn't very good when he got into 30+ games last year, and hasn't looked any better in camp.

If they're looking at making some changes here this year then he's certainly one I'd pass on to try a different type of guy.

The kid was getting 6 minutes a night playing with Orr and McClement. Very few players are going to look very good under those circumstances. He's getting the same treatment in the pre-season. He's not being given a chance to look good, even in meaningless games. Carlyle's burying him.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

but in the two preseason games his opposite winger has been Biggs and Orr, so he's still in a tough spot.

And just like last season when he played most of his minutes with McClement and Orr.

It's almost like Carlyle is stuck on what kind of player he thinks Ashton is going to be and is too stubborn to consider trying him in other roles.

Come on, the kid wasn't very good when he got into 30+ games last year, and hasn't looked any better in camp.

If they're looking at making some changes here this year then he's certainly one I'd pass on to try a different type of guy.

Busta hits the nail on the head, but that's the issue - he was putting up big numbers in the minors, then gets terrible minutes with McClement/Orr - one of which finished with a grand total of zero points in 54 games.  If he doesn't turn out to be anything that's fine, I won't be surprised, but what's he supposed to do with those minutes?  The most he'd be able to do is try hard because those linemates are inept offensively at the NHL level.

It's just a bad situation for him to perform in.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

If they're looking at making some changes here this year then he's certainly one I'd pass on to try a different type of guy.

I don't think Booth or Frattin, the two players Ashton is competing with, are really different types of players. They're actually pretty similar.

 

[Frank E]

but in the two preseason games his opposite winger has been Biggs and Orr, so he's still in a tough spot.

And just like last season when he played most of his minutes with McClement and Orr.

It's almost like Carlyle is stuck on what kind of player he thinks Ashton is going to be and is too stubborn to consider trying him in other roles.

Come on, the kid wasn't very good when he got into 30+ games last year, and hasn't looked any better in camp.

If they're looking at making some changes here this year then he's certainly one I'd pass on to try a different type of guy.

Busta hits the nail on the head, but that's the issue - he was putting up big numbers in the minors, then gets terrible minutes with McClement/Orr - one of which finished with a grand total of zero points in 54 games.  If he doesn't turn out to be anything that's fine, I won't be surprised, but what's he supposed to do with those minutes?  The most he'd be able to do is try hard because those linemates are inept offensively at the NHL level.

It's just a bad situation for him to perform in.

If we're promoting guys that have produced at the AHL level then let's get Abbott and Trevor Smith on the roster, also get that TJ Brennan guy back.

He hasn't shown that he can translate his game to the NHL level yet, and quite frankly he didn't show much in those 6 minutes that he deserved 10 minutes a game.

Holland is a guy that seems to be able to make the transition a little more succesfully, but Ashton hasn't.  I'd be glad to be wrong, and I don't hold anything against the guy, but I don't think it's Carlyle's fault that Ashton isn't a very good NHL player at this point.

 

 

[Frank E]

If they're looking at making some changes here this year then he's certainly one I'd pass on to try a different type of guy.

I don't think Booth or Frattin, the two players Ashton is competing with, are really different types of players. They're actually pretty similar.

I think Frattin seems better at making plays at speed than Ashton...just my observation.

Booth has potted a bunch of NHL goals, so he's at least shown the ability to play at a high level in this league recently.  I haven't thought much of his play so far, but I don't think they'll cut him.