Wouldn't it be interesting that the Leafs make a deal with Vegas and end up with a Washington Capital blueliner to replace Polak?
Wouldn't it be interesting that the Leafs make a deal with Vegas and end up with a Washington Capital blueliner to replace Polak?
Zaitsev should be back by Game 4 the latest. Otherwise, we run with Marincin and Marchenko. No way Dermott is getting his first game in the NHL in the middle of a heated playoff race. He's good, but he's human.
We've got to have faith in four solid bottom pairing guys to play in our top 6 and hope Rielly and Gardiner continue to step up with big games.
Remember when no one wanted Polak on the team and was too slow to play in the NHL.
Apparently all the guys that follow the Marlies for a living think Dermott > Marchenko.
He's human but so was Subban and so is McAvoy. The Leafs need to give Dermott a chance. I'd call him up, we have rode our rookies to where we are right now, why not one more rookie?
I've no issue with a rookie, but I suggest a better type of rookie - particularly one who is a bit older, and a bit bigger to handle a playoff style of game.
Dermott stands 5'11", and isn't a physical player at 20 years old. Rinat Valiev is 6'2", nearly 22 years old, and has more sandpaper to his game to say nothing of the fact he's at least played some NHL games to this point.
I'd go with Valiev in a heartbeat before throwing Dermott into this mess.
I mean they're both about 210 pounds, I don't think the extra couple inches is going to do much considering neither one will be PKing. Wasn't Valiev injured a few times this season too? Might as well go with one of Campbell/Holl if experience + size is the determining factor. Dermott was my first thought strictly because of how steady he is and seeing how much he stepped his game up in the playoffs in Erie.
I wouldn't be surprised if the call up turns out to be Oleksy. He even has seven games of playoff experience with the Caps and has sipped from the Cup with last years Pens.
Rather have Valiev and Marchenko than Marincin
Marincin gives my a heart attack every time he steps on the ice