Pre-Game Talk: Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs | SN | October 8th, 2014 | 7:00PM

[TheProspector]

TSN says Orr and McLaren have been cut!!! Yeahh!!!!! The bottom 6 is really solid:

JVR - Bozak - Kessel
Lupul - Kadri - Kozun
Komarov - Santorelli - Clarkson
Winnik - Holland - Frattin

I argued at the end of last season that it was the bottom-6 that really underperformed, and I think my view is about to get vindicated.

Every single one of these guys can play one or two lines higher than they do, except for maybe Kozun who might already be.

 

[Cor]

We have an incredibly deep team, that can actually play hockey.

Nice to see

 

[crump]

Could be a perfect storm for Kozun. One week he's considered a potential first call up from the Marlies, next week he is the feel good story of camp possibly making it as a 4th liner, PK specialist, now he is on the second line because he is the most skilled guy left after injuries. He has the chance to keep that spot with more outstanding play.

 

[McMatthews]

Prediction for opening night:

Injured - Josh Leivo, Cody Franson*

JVR - Bozak - Kessel
Lupul - Kadri - Santorelli
Winnik - Holland - Clarkson
Frattin - Komarov - Kozun
Ashton

Phaneuf - Robidas
Rielly - Gardiner
Percy - Polak
Holzer*

Bernier
Reimer

 

[mcleex]

Prediction for opening night:

Injured - Josh Leivo, Cody Franson*

JVR - Bozak - Kessel
Lupul - Kadri - Santorelli
Winnik - Holland - Clarkson
Frattin - Komarov - Kozun
Ashton

Phaneuf - Robidas
Rielly - Gardiner
Percy - Polak
Holzer*

Bernier
Reimer

There is no chance Santorelli plays on the wing

 

[McMatthews]

There is no chance Santorelli plays on the wing

He's played wing before. If Leivo is out, he'd provide a more offensive threat than either one of Clarkson, Komarov, Frattin, Kozun or Winnik.

 

[pspot]

There is no chance Santorelli plays on the wing

i've been suggesting for a while 2nd line should be
JVR/Sant/Kadri

Sant takes the faceoffs and then switches with Kadri on offense

 

[The Saurus]

He's played wing before. If Leivo is out, he'd provide a more offensive threat than either one of Clarkson, Komarov, Frattin, Kozun or Winnik.

There really is no chance Santorelli plays on the wing. Carlyle and Co. are going to want to take advantage of his strength on face offs.

 

[Pholus]

Prediction for opening night:

Injured - Josh Leivo, Cody Franson*

JVR - Bozak - Kessel
Lupul - Kadri - Santorelli
Winnik - Holland - Clarkson
Frattin - Komarov - Kozun
Ashton

Phaneuf - Robidas
Rielly - Gardiner
Percy - Polak
Holzer*

Bernier
Reimer

Booth will also be out on LTIR when the season starts, and considering that the Leafs already put Holzer on waivers to send down to the Marlies, I would guess they start with only 6 dmen (Franson as 7th will be out with injury).

 

[Teufelsdreck]

Now that's how you do wishful optimism.

What I posted seems reasonable. What part of it do you consider to be wishful optimism?

 

[McMatthews]

There really is no chance Santorelli plays on the wing. Carlyle and Co. are going to want to take advantage of his strength on face offs.

Santorelli was at 51.3% last year with Vancouver on 419 faceoffs.

Komarov was at 50.9% in a very limited number of faceoffs (57) during his first stint in the NHL.

I think the 2RW spot is more important than keeping Santorelli at 3C or 4C.

 

[Teufelsdreck]

This is exactly like most people not called Leafs fan see it. But Gilbert, Emelin and Parenteau are question marks.

Edit: missed the Bourque part through I personally don't hope anything for him except maybe another ''miracle''.

Georges was bad, he handled the puck like a grenade and Gionta couldn't reach the net with a shoot to save his live.

Anywai I'm here to wish you a good year, would be nice to see you in the playoffs so I can start hating you guys for the good reasons.

The Habs don't have Gionta, Gorges, or Bouillon. They've been more than adequately replaced.

 

[The Saurus]

Santorelli was at 51.3% last year with Vancouver on 419 faceoffs.

Komarov was at 50.9% in a very limited number of faceoffs (57) during his first stint in the NHL.

I think the 2RW spot is more important than keeping Santorelli at 3C or 4C.

He'll most likely be used in a defensive role in important situations... his importance as the 3rd line C shouldn't be diminished.

Komarov is also better along the boards, which is his strength, rather than keeping him in the middle of the ice.

 

[Thadtheimpaler]

Any chance we see Clarkson on the wing with Kadri ?

 

[TheCLAM]

He's played wing before. If Leivo is out, he'd provide a more offensive threat than either one of Clarkson, Komarov, Frattin, Kozun or Winnik.

Kozun has could have an impact offensively more so than any player above. I say that because he's of a different skill-set not like many grinders listed above

 

[Jacob8hockey*]

Justin Bieber @justinbieber · 40m 40 minutes ago
@MapleLeafs @43_Kadri happy bday man #GOLEAFSGO

Cant lose now

 

[PuckMagi]

Any chance we see Clarkson on the wing with Kadri ?

i very much doubt it... pretty sure they're not going to make that same mistake.

i'm actually excited to see Clarkson's game when he's paired with some line-mates who will play more his style.

 

[PuckMagi]

Kozun has could have an impact offensively more so than any player above. I say that because he's of a different skill-set not like many grinders listed above

Kozun is fast... and that always stands out.

I like the fact that we've got a little speedy guy on our team now.

 

[Ed Belfour]

I actually like the idea of Kozun on the second line. He has shown he can put up numbers in the AHL, he clearly has the skill, and this preseason he has shown that he will forecheck/go to the dirty areas, something the Kadri/Lupul combo desperately needs. I think he'll do quite well there.

This will allow us to keep Clarkson on the third line where he belongs, and hopefully Komarov's crazy playing style rubs off on him.

 

[Thadtheimpaler]

i very much doubt it... pretty sure they're not going to make that same mistake.

i'm actually excited to see Clarkson's game when he's paired with some line-mates who will play more his style.

I don't follow the Leafs but drafted both players, was wondering if they would hook up for a line combo. Can I expect more points from Clarkson this year or was this a bad pick on my part, I love Kadri's Game

 

[mcleex]

When do we find out if the guys sent down have cleared waivers

 

[HEAVY DUTY]

When do we find out if the guys sent down have cleared waivers

tomorrow at noon i believe.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Noon tomorrow I believe^

 

[Kyle Doobas*]

Justin Bieber @justinbieber · 40m 40 minutes ago
@MapleLeafs @43_Kadri happy bday man #GOLEAFSGO

Cant lose now

The hex has been cast

 

[TheLeafsBro]

Even though I know a lot of us don't like it. I expect to see Clarkson start on the Lupul-Kadri line because management/coaches mentioned a few times during the off season they were going to give him another shot and expected a strong rebound year so he'll get his chance to prove it was just a bad year. I am fully aware though, that it is the opinion of many on this board including myself that Clarkson really is not a top6 forward and probably shouldn't be playing with Kadri whom should have skilled wingers. All I am saying is that is what I think will end up happening not what should end up happening. I hope I am wrong though and he kills it and lights it up with Kadri and Lupul but I have my doubts as I'm sure we all do.

I would be very happy if Clarkson hits 15 goals this year and plays a strong physical game.