Pre-Game Talk: Season opener @ Montreal

[Warden of the North]

Once again way to many plugs and no skill

Ashton
Orr
Bodie
Fraser

All over

Reilly
Leivo

Don't like this lineup at all,not nearly enough skill to win games.

I think saying we have "no skill" in the lineup is stretching the truth a wee bit.

 

[SteveV*]

Really curious who gets the start? I'd give it to Reimer, out of respect and because he had a great camp. Still think Bernier ends up with the gig, but that remains to be seen.

 

[ShaneFalco]

steve simmons ‏@simmonssteve 5m
Habs seem well prepared for Randy Carlyle's Leafs. They are using a line of Parros-Prust-Moen in today's practice.

Should be a good one!

 

[Cor]

Paul Hendrick ‏@HennyTweets 38m

Leaf lines: jvr-bozak-kessel. Lupul-kadri-kulemin. (Clarkson)-bolland-kulemin. ashton-mcclement-orr. #TMLtalk

Paul Hendrick ‏@HennyTweets 2m

Leafs pairings: dion/gunnarsson. Gardiner/franson. Ranger/fraser. Rielly is the extra. #TMLtalk

Looks like Rielly won't be playing tomorrow night. Insert Bodie for Clarkson, and that will be our lineup.

 

[shaner8989]

I think saying we have "no skill" in the lineup is stretching the truth a wee bit.

We have skill but should have a lot more.

Bodie and Aston over Leivo is total bs.
Fraser over Reilly once again total bs

 

[Canada4Gold]

So if Bodie plays he'll be on the 3rd line and Ashton will be on the 4th? Doesn't make sense to me, I figured Ashton would be higher up.

 

[Khobahi]

It would be nice to start the season by destroying the Habs but I'll just be glad with the W. The beat downs are best saved for midseason when the points mean more.

to be fair... points mean the same the entire season... it would be better if we get into a position where we don't need the points to mean more..

 

[Canada4Gold]

We have skill but should have a lot more.

Bodie and Aston over Leivo is total bs.
Fraser over Reilly once again total bs

you spelling Rielly wrong once again is total BS

 

[Cor]

Yeah, i'd rather not need the points down the road

Lets run Carey from the net, and crush the Habs 7-0.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Ashton has played well and earned a spot. He's not without skill
Rielly will play the next game I'm betting - no biggie.

 

[Canada4Gold]

Also why did we put Bodie on waivers if we planned on playing him once McLaren went on LTIR? Why not just send Ashton down, and then when McLaren goes on LTIR call him back up and not risk losing anyone?

To me if we were going to call up someone who had to go through waivers it would have made more sense to send Ashton down instead.

Ergo I would think it would be a non waiver eligible player like Leivo(which would fit with the 3rd line spot being empty atm) who would come back up.

Wait and see I guess

 

[Leafski]

We have skill but should have a lot more.

Bodie and Aston over Leivo is total bs.
Fraser over Reilly once again total bs

Considering how mobile the rest of our d is, you really need a defensive d in there. At least in my opinion.

Phaneuf, Gunn, Ranger, Gardiner, and Franson are all either Two-way D or OFD. You put Rielly in there, who will clear the crease?

You can make the argument that vs the habs at least you don't need that too much but Gallagher (although small) is quite good in front, Patches and Prust will go there as well.

Like everyone else I'd love Rielly in there but you have to be smart with your pairings.

And yeah, i agree with you that it would be quite nice to see Leivo in there. I'd put him in over Bodie, but not sure about him over Ashton with Carlyles style.

 

[Rude Dog]

Heading to LA tomorrow. Ugh. Missing the season opener. I never really had to pay attention before...but what site do guys use to stream the game ? Does the CBC web-site have it available ?

Worst part is that I am travelling with some annoying Hab fans. God I hope the Buds win.

 

[JAMmer124]

So if Bodie plays he'll be on the 3rd line and Ashton will be on the 4th? Doesn't make sense to me, I figured Ashton would be higher up.

Yeah I find that strange as well. Is Bodie's defensive game good? Would make sense putting him on the checking line if it is, if not then i dunno

 

[zeke]

well, Bodie's RH, and Ashton is LH, so that probably plays a part.

the other thing, though, is that I'm guessing that Randy wants to get his lines set as much as possible - and he looks at Ashton-McClement-Orr as a line all season, so doesn't want to juggle it when Bodie will provide a similar presence for now at least.

 

[LeafOfBread]

steve simmons ‏@simmonssteve 5m
Habs seem well prepared for Randy Carlyle's Leafs. They are using a line of Parros-Prust-Moen in today's practice.

Should be a good one!

Moen sucks, I bet Ashton could beat him up.

Parros and Orr will probably go.

Who can fight Prust though? I would've said Fraser but he wears a visor and has a hole in his head now. McLaren and Clarkson are both out too.

 

[disgruntleddave]

We had better win. Being a leafs fan in Montreal, seeing the game with people I know in public... I'll never be able to show my face again if we lose.

 

[LeafOfBread]

We have skill but should have a lot more.

Bodie and Aston over Leivo is total bs.
Fraser over Reilly once again total bs

Leivo is not 100% ready for pro yet. He needs to get acclimatized to the physicality of the pro level, which the AHL is great for.

Besides, what would be the point of having Leivo on the 4th line playing with McClement and Orr?

Ashton is much better suited for that role and is a gritty, physical player.

 

[zeke]

Moen sucks, I bet Ashton could beat him up.

Parros and Orr will probably go.

Who can fight Prust though? I would've said Fraser but he wears a visor and has a hole in his head now. McLaren and Clarkson are both out too.

Moen can't fight.

Orr, Fraser, Bodie, Ashton is more than enough muscle to take care of the schroempfts.

 

[LeafOfBread]

Bodie earned his spot fair and square. He looked good in training camp as well as in pre-season. Just because he's not a young prospect with upside doesn't mean he shouldn't make the team.

 

[Canada4Gold]

well, Bodie's RH, and Ashton is LH, so that probably plays a part.

the other thing, though, is that I'm guessing that Randy wants to get his lines set as much as possible - and he looks at Ashton-McClement-Orr as a line all season, so doesn't want to juggle it when Bodie will provide a similar presence for now at least.

when both Clarkson and McLaren come back Ashton could the the 13th forward and that 4th line is McLaren/McClement/Orr

Leivo is not 100% ready for pro yet. He needs to get acclimatized to the physicality of the pro level, which the AHL is great for.

Besides, what would be the point of having Leivo on the 4th line playing with McClement and Orr?

Ashton is much better suited for that role and is a gritty, physical player.

If Leivo were to come up and play to start the season imo he'd be on the 3rd line and Ashton on the 4th, that's one of the reasons I think he's more likely to come up than Bodie. If Bodie comes up I would have Ashton on the 3rd line and Bodie on the 4th but Ashton is practicing on the 4th

 

[zeke]

Terry Koshan @koshtorontosun
#Leafs Carlyle says lineup will have 12 forwards and 6 D in lineup vs. Habs


So I'm guessing that they're gonna be allowed to put McLaren on LTIR, and Bodie gets the call. Cool.

 

[Penalty Kill Icing*]

Lupul and McClement with A.

 

[LeafOfBread]

when both Clarkson and McLaren come back Ashton could the the 13th forward and that 4th line is McLaren/McClement/Orr



If Leivo were to come up and play to start the season imo he'd be on the 3rd line and Ashton on the 4th, that's one of the reasons I think he's more likely to come up than Bodie. If Bodie comes up I would have Ashton on the 3rd line and Bodie on the 4th but Ashton is practicing on the 4th

Even then our 3rd line is going to be relied upon a lot for shut-down capabilities. Leivo is a decent defensive player, but Randy wants to use Bolland and Raymond/Kulemin along with McClement a lot to go up against tough match-ups, facing teams' first and second lines. I don't think Leivo can handle that kind of responsibility just yet and I personally think he'd get overwhelmed.

 

[LeafOfBread]

Lupul and McClement with A.

Good choices.