Pre-Game Talk: Maple Leafs @ Blue Jackets, October 4th

[Kiwi]

So, since Spezza and Petan are playing on the 4th line who's going to be taking the bulk of the DZS now? The Tavares line?

Because I'm not comfortable with that 4th line doing it now if thats the personnel on it

 

[Razz]

Wonder how much involvement Dubas has in this?

A coach generally after a win doesn't like to change a winning line-up.

Perhaps this is only a 1 week thing so everyone gets into the new season and then after this game we will see a guy like Holl sit out regularly.

Babcock was quite clear about his intentions with the bubble players. He has said multiple times he will be rotating players for the early part of the season. It seems like he's just executing his plan. There's no need for passive-aggressive Dubas smearing.

 

[Mess]

Babcock was quite clear about his intentions with the bubble players. He has said multiple times he will be rotating players for the early part of the season. It seems like he's just executing his plan. There's no need for passive-aggressive Dubas smearing.

During the game yesterday, they mentioned the Spezza healthy scratch and said the it was not only Babs decision but Dubas was also fully on board with that.

So I'm asking how much input does Dubas have in who is dressed or not?

Last year Holl dressed for only a handful of games all years, and played only when there was an injury replacement.

 

[Nylander88]

Holl in for Marincin I'm fine with. Really don't think Holl is any worse, and he's a righty.
Spezza in for Shore should be constant. Spezza brings more to the table than Shore does. I know Spezza didn't play last night...but did anyone notice Shore? No points, no shots on goal, no hits. If you're going to be on the 4th line bring something. Timashov had 4 hits, and an assist. The points aren't important for a 4th liner, but you have to bring something. If face-offs is the thing you bring (Shore)...Spezza is one of the best in the dots...so that's a silly excuse.
And lastly I don't like Timashov out for Petan. Petan had a fine preseason, but Timashov is clearly embracing the role of what he's gotta do on the 4th line. Good luck seeing 4 hits from Petan.
And of a side note: besides sitting Spezza the last 2 preseason games then claiming he needs PK practice (riddle me that)...how is the PK a thing against Ottawa and then Friday we remove Timashov and Shore (2 guys used for PK), and install Petan and Spezza (1 who doesn't PK and one who less than 24 hours ago "wasnt ready")
Babs got me like

 

[Nylander88]

During the game yesterday, they mentioned the Spezza healthy scratch and said the it was not only Babs decision but Dubas was also fully on board with that.

So I'm asking how much input does Dubas have in who is dressed or not?

Last year Holl dressed for only a handful of games all years, and played only when there was an injury replacement.

Just a media move. Dubas isn't about to throw shade at his coach in the media. That was a Babs move and Dubas had no choice but to say he's on board with his coach with cameras and mics on him. Says anything different the Sheldon Keefe articles are on the front page of the Toronto Star this morning

 

[Boutette]

So, since Spezza and Petan are playing on the 4th line who's going to be taking the bulk of the DZS now? The Tavares line?

Because I'm not comfortable with that 4th line doing it now if thats the personnel on it

Kerfoot's line did 66% DZs and produced the best possession numbers on the team against Ottawa.

Or is suggesting Kerfoot might be good against the narrative?

 

[Loosie]

Wonder how much involvement Dubas has in this?

A coach generally after a win doesn't like to change a winning line-up.

Perhaps this is only a 1 week thing so everyone gets into the new season and then after this game we will see a guy like Holl sit out regularly.

It's the bottom pairings and 4th line. It's not a drastic change.

 

[Kiwi]

Kerfoot's line did 66% DZs and produced the best possession numbers on the team against Ottawa.

Or is suggesting Kerfoot might be good against the narrative?

If he can do it that would solve a lot of problems, Tavares and Matthews not starting in the NZ or OZ is just a waste of offensive talent

I'd be careful with Kerfoot though (early in the season anyway) since he hasn't played a ton of center and he's trying to find his way in that position, I wouldn't want to tank the kids confidence

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Makes sense. Second audition period to see who makes the 20/21 man roster when Hyman/Dermott get back.

 

[Coachcorner]

During the game yesterday, they mentioned the Spezza healthy scratch and said the it was not only Babs decision but Dubas was also fully on board with that.

So I'm asking how much input does Dubas have in who is dressed or not?

Last year Holl dressed for only a handful of games all years, and played only when there was an injury replacement.

I mean what is that exactly? No gm should or (I don't even beleave this type of dirt) is trea, I mean real. It can't be. Babcock and his coaches make the choices no? Everybody else sucka team does that, always had. I mean in the old days they might have had some dirt where a real big kahuna from the upstairs calls a phonecall and says y'all better dress our most talented sucka with the money, or y'all is getting shot. But nowadays.... it's a sport. Dubas can't understand the sport even, he never played or nuthin. Babcock should be making these decisions one hunned. :percent: :hunned: ne: :hunnid: :hundred: :real: :Real:

 

[Coachcorner]

Also uh, we finna destroy tortorella's other club with this hit squad of ours. Now even spezza gets to score so that'll be fun. :celebration: :birthday: :happy birthday: :sun: :rise: :down: :up: :thumbs: :thumb up: :jeesus:

 

[CanadasTeam]

Besides a couple of players, I do need to get more acquainted with CBJ's roster.

Goalies:
JOONAS KORPISALO
ELVIS MERZLIKINS

 

[Vaive50]

Hoping we start on time and look a little less sloppy throughout the game. Should be a good opportunity to start the year with 2 wins!

With 3 wins, can't lose to the Habs

 

[Kurtz]

We'll be challenged physically in this one - will be interesting to see how Petan and the team handle it.

 

[PromisedLand]

Allow me to post my first regular season rant. It effing sucks that Leafs have a back to back with a 2nd game against divisional rival in a 4 point game. Absolutely STUPID whoever made the schedule

 

[PromisedLand]

Holl in for Marincin I'm fine with. Really don't think Holl is any worse, and he's a righty.
Spezza in for Shore should be constant. Spezza brings more to the table than Shore does. I know Spezza didn't play last night...but did anyone notice Shore? No points, no shots on goal, no hits. If you're going to be on the 4th line bring something. Timashov had 4 hits, and an assist. The points aren't important for a 4th liner, but you have to bring something. If face-offs is the thing you bring (Shore)...Spezza is one of the best in the dots...so that's a silly excuse.
And lastly I don't like Timashov out for Petan. Petan had a fine preseason, but Timashov is clearly embracing the role of what he's gotta do on the 4th line. Good luck seeing 4 hits from Petan.
And of a side note: besides sitting Spezza the last 2 preseason games then claiming he needs PK practice (riddle me that)...how is the PK a thing against Ottawa and then Friday we remove Timashov and Shore (2 guys used for PK), and install Petan and Spezza (1 who doesn't PK and one who less than 24 hours ago "wasnt ready")
Babs got me like

Babcock prefaced Spezza scratching saying Shore wins face-offs but shore wasn’t as good last night

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Besides a couple of players, I do need to get more acquainted with CBJ's roster.

Goalies:
JOONAS KORPISALO
ELVIS MERZLIKINS

Goalies are unproven. Otherwise, tons of depth with some high end players, but lacking that game-breaking talent on offense.

They'll be a good test. We play like we did yesterday, we lose tomorrow. We stop making ridiculous mistakes and the goalie makes the necessary saves, then we win.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

We'll be challenged physically in this one - will be interesting to see how Petan and the team handle it.

Putting Petan in was a puzzling one to me. Timashov played well last night and outperformed Petan all preseason. I do not see why Petan enters this conversation after clearing waivers and being able to move up and down as we need him.

I'm taking as long of a look as possible at Timashov before Hyman comes back and possibly forces him out of the lineup.

 

[Bedards Dad]

During the game yesterday, they mentioned the Spezza healthy scratch and said the it was not only Babs decision but Dubas was also fully on board with that.

So I'm asking how much input does Dubas have in who is dressed or not?

Last year Holl dressed for only a handful of games all years, and played only when there was an injury replacement.

Dubas has 13.628% say in who plays or sits.

 

[Bedards Dad]

Goalies are unproven. Otherwise, tons of depth with some high end players, but lacking that game-breaking talent on offense.

They'll be a good test. We play like we did yesterday, we lose tomorrow. We stop making ridiculous mistakes and the goalie makes the necessary saves, then we win.

Very few games dont have stupid mistakes. Not sure where this, "60 minutes of perfect hockey" everyone has in their mind came from, but it just doesnt happen.

 

[Bedards Dad]

Babcock prefaced Spezza scratching saying Shore wins face-offs but shore wasn’t as good last night

Is spezza not one of the best FO men in the league?

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Very few games dont have stupid mistakes. Not sure where this, "60 minutes of perfect hockey" everyone has in their mind came from, but it just doesnt happen.

Fine, stop making as many ridiculous mistakes. They should definitely be capable of doing that. Otherwise we are not making the playoffs. Pretty much any team besides Ottawa would have capitalized on those mistakes and won that game.

 

[Matthews4Calder]

I figured the backup would get this one.

Never really understood Babcock's goalie decisions. He always goes with Andersen on the front end of a back to back which I don't get. If you're playing a weaker team on the front end wouldn't you want to save your #1 guy for the second game? Not sure what the difference is between Columbus and the Habs as far as superiority but I would save Andersen for the Habs.

 

[crump]

Every game will remove nagging "issues" that the fan base gets focussed on. The Captaincy issue for example...is long gone only 24 hours since it was settled. The Buttockgate" scandal seems like a hazy drunken night long ago, so too will the Spezza slight. and outrage over the Liljegren demotion and Timashov being pulled from the lineup.

 

[Leaf4Life79]

Allow me to post my first regular season rant. It effing sucks that Leafs have a back to back with a 2nd game against divisional rival in a 4 point game. Absolutely STUPID whoever made the schedule

My thoughts exactly!

WTF does a tired Leafs team always face a fresh Habs team, NOT FAIR!