Line Combos: 2019/2020 Roster Discussion

[ShaneFalco]

But Babcock says they'r eon the same page?

 

[smitty10]

But Babcock says they'r eon the same page?

Babcock is an idiot. He's sticking it to Spezza for some unknown reason. If Spezza was an unskilled grinder though, Babs would be singing his praises.

 

[Nylander88]

Shocked he's sitting the veteran in a home opener against a team he played many years for. I feel for Spezza. Signing league minimum to come play here. I know he's on the decline but surely he could have gotten a bit better payday and opportunity elsewhere. I think our time with Spezza will be quite short lived. Seems like a failed relationship already

 

[KPower]

Babcock is such a f***ing prick.

 

[Nylander88]

Babcock is an idiot. He's sticking it to Spezza for some unknown reason. If Spezza was an unskilled grinder though, Babs would be singing his praises.

It's a very strange move to pull on a veteran with Spezza's resume. Makes me wonder what happens long term when Hyman is back too. Seems Spezza may not have a place on this team

 

[ShaneFalco]

Shocked he's sitting the veteran in a home opener against a team he played many years for. I feel for Spezza. Signing league minimum to come play here. I know he's on the decline but surely he could have gotten a bit better payday and opportunity elsewhere. I think our time with Spezza will be quite short lived. Seems like a failed relationship already

Yup. Knew it as soon as babcock started talking about "figuring things out"
Dick move

 

[biotk]

Dubas: We don't have to worry about paying our stars a crazy high amount because we can fill out our roster with quality league minimum guys. That will include lots of players who will want to take much less then they could elsewhere when coming here because they want to win at home.

Babcock: If you take less to come here you can sit in the press box.

 

[Menzinger]

At the end of the day, I dont really care of the Leafs genuinely seem to think the goat is better than Spezza.

That said this comes across as particularly petty. Especially given all that talk last season about how it was sacrilegious to sit Marleau for even a couple games due to his iron man streak.

Just play the guy against his old team then switch him out if need be. This just comes across as somewhat humiliating for the guy -especially of they do intend on using him at some point during the year

 

[Primary Assist]

What's the goal this season? Succeed as a team? Or is to not hurt anyone's feelings? If Spezza didn't crack the opening night lineup then I doubt it has anything to do with Babcock holding a grudge. The Leafs are icing the best lineup they can and if that means Spezza has to sit in the pressbox instead of playing 7 minutes on the 4th line then so be it.

 

[Leafidelity]

Did Shore even do anything to deserve an NHL job? The 4th line was much better in the games Spezza played.

 

[ShaneFalco]

What's the goal this season? Succeed as a team? Or is to not hurt anyone's feelings? If Spezza didn't crack the opening night lineup then I doubt it has anything to do with Babcock holding a grudge. The Leafs are icing the best lineup they can and if that means Spezza has to sit in the pressbox instead of playing 7 minutes on the 4th line then so be it.

When has Babcock been known for icing the best lineup or lines ? He is known for not liking certain guys and from day 1 he had an issue with spezza. This is how he rolls .

 

[FreeBird]

Did Shore even do anything to deserve an NHL job? The 4th line was much better in the games Spezza played.

Playing the Goat on the Wing is counter productive, he's much better suited for Centre.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Sitting Spezza for this game is beyond stupid. Shore hasn't even done anything to earn that spot.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Sitting Spezza for this game is beyond stupid. Shore hasn't even done anything to earn that spot.

Didn't play in the NHL last year. Shore may end up being better, and more useful, but you don't disrespect a guy with Spezza's resume, playing his old team, in his home-town on opening night. And he talks about being a good pro.....

 

[RoadWarrior]

Sitting Spezza for this game is beyond stupid. Shore hasn't even done anything to earn that spot.

True but neither has Spezza.

 

[saffronleaf]

True but neither has Spezza.

I recall some moron used to say "tie goes to the vet"

 

[RoadWarrior]

I recall some moron used to say "tie goes to the vet"

Shore is a vet. Just not as much of a vet as Spezza.

The problem with Spezza is that if he's not contributing on the PP then he's a liability at 5 on 5 or the PK.

If Babcock doesn't envision using him on the second PP unit then there isn't much of a place for him on the team. He doesn't deserve a spot just because he's from Mississauga.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Shore is a vet. Just not as much of a vet as Spezza.

The problem with Spezza is that if he's not contributing on the PP then he's a liability at 5 on 5 or the PK.

If Babcock doesn't envision using him on the second PP unit then there isn't much of a place for him on the team. He doesn't deserve a spot just because he's from Mississauga.

Shore didn’t even play in the nhl last year
It’s Babcock making a statement
He feels the need to defy his boss because he’s mike fricken Babcock

 

[ShameOnYouZidlicky]

It's a very strange move to pull on a veteran with Spezza's resume. Makes me wonder what happens long term when Hyman is back too. Seems Spezza may not have a place on this team

For sure. Assuming we have a healthy lineup when Hyman comes back, 2 forwards will need to be sent down. That will most likely be 2 of Shore, Spezza and Timashov

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Well this I can tell you. If Spezza gets sent down when Hyman is back then he will leave team. And that is what Babs wants so thats that.

 

[Nylander88]

For sure. Assuming we have a healthy lineup when Hyman comes back, 2 forwards will need to be sent down. That will most likely be 2 of Shore, Spezza and Timashov

And if Timashov at the ripe age of 23 is PKing and throwing his body like he did last night (team leader in hits)..it won't be him leaving. Spezza's job is in trouble big time

 

[gabeliscious]

And if Timashov at the ripe age of 23 is PKing and throwing his body like he did last night (team leader in hits)..it won't be him leaving. Spezza's job is in trouble big time

there are worse problems then having too much depth. i would not be surprised if kapanen was traded in the summer to free up cap space. one would have to think dubas will do everything possible to resign barrie. trading a 3rd line winger for a top pairing defenseman is probably reasonable. not sure where dubas will find the other few million to get it done.

 

[Nylander88]

there are worse problems then having too much depth. i would not be surprised if kapanen was traded in the summer to free up cap space. one would have to think dubas will do everything possible to resign barrie. trading a 3rd line winger for a top pairing defenseman is probably reasonable. not sure where dubas will find the other few million to get it done.

Next year's problem

 

[ShaneFalco]

there are worse problems then having too much depth. i would not be surprised if kapanen was traded in the summer to free up cap space. one would have to think dubas will do everything possible to resign barrie. trading a 3rd line winger for a top pairing defenseman is probably reasonable. not sure where dubas will find the other few million to get it done.

I was thinking AJ over Kap but beginning to change my mind.

 

[leafsfuture]

Playing the Goat on the Wing is counter productive, he's much better suited for Centre.

From what I have seen not only do I agree with you, but I feel Goat will be our 4C the entire year as long as he is healthy. Spezza/Shore/Petan will have to play wing if they want to play.