Pre-Game Talk: Behold, the Era of Sabourin to begin tomorrow

[Leaftors]

I don’t think Vesey is useless, I don’t even think Martin Marincin is useless.

I do think that Vesey hasn’t performed at the level we thought he would, putting him in the position that we did. To which it seems the coaching staff is wearing thin with giving him those opportunities. I am all for putting a guy in against his old team. Good morale booster for him and I’m sure for the room.

 

[Mugzy97]

Heh its never quite perfect, but that's two lines I really wanted to see.

The only time tavares/Nylander have looked dominant this year is when Hyman was there for one game. Worth another look for sure.

And I've been dying to see that 3rd line Mikheyev-kerfoot-engvall as I think they can own the ice with speed size and length.

Nice to see vesey demoted too. The sabourin thing is dumb though. And Spezza can't play C. So hopefully that 4th line barely plays.

Why do you suggest spezza can’t play C?

 

[stewpac]

I like hyman on the JT line, he should help get that line moving. Hopefully Jumbo doesn't slow down the top dogs too much.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

I think the 1st line was too potent to split. However, we are playing Ottawa (Hate to patronize) - But we can try a few things.

Someone said; inserting a hungry jumbo on the wing with a couple guys firing on all cylinders, might be a recipe for a fun night - Not to mention Hyman will get Line 2 back in rhythm.

I'm a fan of Sabourin since is gennies days, hope he comes out with a burr under his saddle - he knows specifically what we've been missing since Simmonds got injured (not expecting him to be a PP specialist, but get infront of that net, cause some havoc and relieve some of that physical stress if the game ramps up)

Looking forward to the game tonight - oddly hope the Sens show some push back and we come together more as a group

 

[Cor]

Keefe why mess with the too line .

Thornton did we give him a guarantee that he would play with Marner and mathews starting to wonder.

Boyd why is he coming out of the lineup Vesey should be on the taxi squad .
He and spezza are getting some good chemistry going .

Questionable decisions ?

We need to get that second line going. Hyman can help. Thornton on that line didn’t start off great, but they were actually doing really well when he got hurt. So it’s worth going back to, especially if we can get that second line going


As for the fourth line, I’m really hoping Sabourin actually isn’t playing and one of Petan or Boyd stay in as well.

However, it’s one game (hopefully) on the fourth line, against the Senators. Won’t make or break us.

Keefe seems to want to see every 4th line option in a game. Except for Kenny Agostino, who is below Scott Sabourin on the depth chart apparently

 

[Racer88]

Hyman should help the 2nd line but Slow Joe will hurt the 1st line.

 

[aingefan]

We need to get that second line going. Hyman can help. Thornton on that line didn’t start off great, but they were actually doing really well when he got hurt. So it’s worth going back to, especially if we can get that second line going


As for the fourth line, I’m really hoping Sabourin actually isn’t playing and one of Petan or Boyd stay in as well.

However, it’s one game (hopefully) on the fourth line, against the Senators. Won’t make or break us.

Keefe seems to want to see every 4th line option in a game. Except for Kenny Agostino, who is below Scott Sabourin on the depth chart apparently

I was so hopeful that Agostino would be a nice energy fit on the wings.
And he has been. Just on a different team than I thought.

 

[Cor]

I was so hopeful that Agostino would be a nice energy fit on the wings.
And he has been. Just on a different team than I thought.

I’ve been pushing for Agostino to get a shot since we signed him. I like him as a player.

If Scott Sabourin can get a look, certainly Agostino can?

 

[CincoHolio]

Maybe having Sabourin play this game is a proactive tactic rather than a reactionary one? Maybe he's in there not "just in case" but in fact to stir up some shit and get Ottawa off their game and goaded into dumb penalties?

 

[aingefan]

I’ve been pushing for Agostino to get a shot since we signed him. I like him as a player.

If Scott Sabourin can get a look, certainly Agostino can?

You’d think, eh?
I wonder why he hasn’t, the FO likes to give guys tokens like that.
Was also hoping to see Lili get a game in before the A season starts.

 

[ShaneFalco]

I’ve been pushing for Agostino to get a shot since we signed him. I like him as a player.

If Scott Sabourin can get a look, certainly Agostino can?

Yeah doesn't make much sense

 

[justashadowof]

Sabourin has a chance to be one of these AHL lifers who over-performs early in his NHL audition. He kind of did that during his previous training camp and early season with the Senators last season. Considering what he brings to the table (willingness to fight, hit, agitate, be enthusiastic) that might help in the absence of Simmonds. If he isn't overused, I believe he'll be beneficial in some games. And lamenting him taking the place of one of our samey support guys is once again that "maximize skill" tunnel vision about the composition of an NHL roster that Dubas seems to have gotten over and maybe so should everyone else.

 

[Mess]

What is the under/over on a Austin Watson vs Scott Sabourin fisticuffs match for this game and 3 game set?

Sabourin's TOI/g might even be less than his PIMs/g.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Sabourin!??

Man, I wish our dinosaur GM would focus more on skill. All he seems to care about are these grinders and face-punchers! Just non-stop; toughness this, grit that.

 

[Mess]

On paper our Leafs should sweep this 3 game series against Ottawa who are the undisputed worst team in the NHL managing only 7 points after 16 games.

In reality however Ottawa has already beaten the Leafs once this year, so taking the Sens for granted and looking past them would be a big mistake.

 

[TMLeafer]

Is Boyd hurt? Because otherwise I don't get why he'd be out of the lineup over someone like Engvall. I can't be the only one who's liked his play.

Boyd was blindsided by Kotkaniemi last game and it didn't even get a replay. He went of slowly and then got hit the next shift. I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

 

[zeke]

Why do you suggest spezza can’t play C?

It's his lack of footspeed and just the amount of work needed to cover the C spot defensively. It's too much to ask of him at this point and his lines don't work well when he's the C.

On the wing, though, he can still be quite effective.

Note that this doesn't mean he doesn't get to take faceoffs even if he's playing the wing.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Amen

 

[On-the-Fly]

Boyd was blindsided by Kotkaniemi last game and it didn't evem get a replay. He went of slowly and them got hit the next shift. I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

That's where my money is. Those were a couple tough shifts for him. Hopefully its not the noodle and they're just giving him the day.

 

[zeke]

phew no Sabourin.

looks like a Vesey-Boyd-Spezza 4th line which is actually a nice 4th line.

 

[Leaffan1991]

Looks like Boyd stays in lineup over sabourin.
Was kinda hoping he would play

 

[zeke]

so now the only guy in the lineup i don't like much is Vesey. and he can be replaced by Robertson/Anderson short term and will be replaced by Simmonds long term.

we're getting there.

 

[On-the-Fly]

Amen

Nice. He had a hell of a battle last game. Hopefully he gets the response he's looking for.

 

[DueDiligence]

Maybe having Sabourin play this game is a proactive tactic rather than a reactionary one? Maybe he's in there not "just in case" but in fact to stir up some shit and get Ottawa off their game and goaded into dumb penalties?

I think Leafs brass are worried that without Simmonds, the Senators are going to try and beat the snot out of them. Voila, let tough guy Sabourin play; someone who can't even stick with the train wreck Sens!

 

[ICBM]

Biggest Leaf problems entering this season:
- Defense
- Lack of power forwards and grit. Limited capability of penetration.
- Goalie

Defense is better now. Rielly has to be replaced with more creative dman. That's the only serious problem.

They brought in power forwards. Ageing ones, but still. More size and grit.

Andersen has to go.

That's a minimum for successful playoff campaign.