GDT: Hockey is back! Leafs Rookie tournament Leafs vs Sens

[Mess]

Valiev looks like a player that might be pushing for an NHL job as he continues to improve and impress. Players on the NHL bubble like Frankie C might have to watch out from a push from below.

Trevor Moore continues to impress as well and Leafs might have found something here with the U of Denver UFA signing. He was the most dangerous Leafs forward generating the most offense and continually getting scoring opportunities. .He meshed well with Timashov would set him up consistently with some nice passing and along with Freddy G formed a good line together.

 

[SprDaVE]

I thought Marner, Moore, Timashov and Gauthier played very well last night. Valiev was definitely the best defender on the ice from what I could see. I was actually impressed with Mattinen as well.

The whole game was very sloppy. It was the first real game of the season for pretty much everyone, so it's normal that passes and shots weren't really crisp.

 

[Trapper]

Valiev looks like a player that might be pushing for an NHL job as he continues to improve and impress. Players on the NHL bubble like Frankie C might have to watch out from a push from below.

Trevor Moore continues to impress as well and Leafs might have found something here with the U of Denver UFA signing. He was the most dangerous Leafs forward generating the most offense and continually getting scoring opportunities. .He meshed well with Timashov would set him up consistently with some nice passing and along with Freddy G formed a good line together.

I am happy with the progress Valiev is showing and excited for Dermott and Neilsen down the road. I still think we need a 2/3 RHD and then we are set. Add that to the players mentioned and we will be solid.

 

[Bullseye]

Gauthier isn't too slow for the NHL. He isn't skilled enough for the NHL.

He's skilled enough to be the last guy on the roster at some point who is a 3rd period 1 goal lead PK specialist. That's how he was used on Team Canada. That's how the Marties will use him this year, and if he sticks around long enough to develop some affinity with the puck offensively - that's how Mike Babcock will use him.

No one will ever be impressed with Freddie's offensive prowess but he's a catalyst to winning. He doesn't look like a player Lou will dump for nothing. If he's traded it will be for someone better.

 

[X66]

I don't know, I thought Marner was very good.

 

[Leafsman]

He's skilled enough to be the last guy on the roster at some point who is a 3rd period 1 goal lead PK specialist. That's how he was used on Team Canada. That's how the Marties will use him this year, and if he sticks around long enough to develop some affinity with the puck offensively - that's how Mike Babcock will use him.

No one will ever be impressed with Freddie's offensive prowess but he's a catalyst to winning. He doesn't look like a player Lou will dump for nothing. If he's traded it will be for someone better.

The funny thing is sometimes these non-offensive defensive guys are needed so your offensive guys can be more offensive. It's almost as if his lack of offensive-mindedness allows another to be more offensively-minded. Kind of like Timashov last night. He can look for offensive opportunities while the Goat fills in partially on his defensive role.

 

[Anthrax442]

I can say that with limited minutes and NHL linemates, he will be fine in NHL this season. He has great defensive awareness and he doesn't shy away from contact.

 

[deletethis]

He's skilled enough to be the last guy on the roster at some point who is a 3rd period 1 goal lead PK specialist. That's how he was used on Team Canada. That's how the Marties will use him this year, and if he sticks around long enough to develop some affinity with the puck offensively - that's how Mike Babcock will use him.

No one will ever be impressed with Freddie's offensive prowess but he's a catalyst to winning. He doesn't look like a player Lou will dump for nothing. If he's traded it will be for someone better.

Maybe he can become that but the recent evidence is that the Marlies, an AHL team, decided that he wasn't even good enough to do that for them when the games really counted. That's how far off he really is from being that at the NHL level. At the bare minimum he needs to be considered essential by his AHL coach first.

 

[showtime8]

It's the first day of rookie camp, so a lot of the observations have to be taken too seriously..

I thought that Valiev looked at another level. Definitely looked like a 2nd year pro who was comfortable where he was at.

Marner looked good. He created a ton of chances, but also got a little carried away in the neutral zone. Similar to how Tymashov looked.

Moore looked very impressive. Lots of speed, lots of chances and he looks like he could be in the top 6 for the Marlies.

 

[PuckMagi]

Valiev looked like the best Leaf. He's the only one who I thought was a clear step above everyone else. Guys like Marner, Moore, and Timashov all looked good, but they weren't clearly way ahead of everyone else.

I think it was maybe two years ago... but I remember Leivo looked great in this rookie tournament. Leivo was head and shoulders above everyone else on the ice when he played in this tournament, and he didn't make the NHL that year, or the next year.

From what I saw of Marner yesterday, I would say that he's still maybe 3 years away from playing in the NHL. Probably one more year of OHL, then two years in the AHL. Hopefully by then he'll be big enough and strong enough for the NHL.

I was happy when we drafted Marner... but I knew at the time that it could be many years before he's NHL ready. I was fine with that. I think we just need to be patient and wait for him grow into a man's body. Once that happens, he should be able to take his game up to the next level.

I was hoping that Marner would be NHL ready this year... but I really don't see it. He's still just a kid. That's fine though, because we have so many NHL ready forwards. And we'll also get to watch guys like Nylander and Matthews this year anyways. So we already get to watch a brand new team. This could also work out well for us with respect to cap space... because then we get to add Marner in a few years at $1 million a year which will be great value.

 

[Guided by Veseys]

Marner was definitely good. He doesn't have the physical attributes to step in and dominate but he is a smart player that knows how to maximize his abilities. There might be growing pains as he sees how to fit in the nhl but eventually he is going to click with Matthews and it will be scary good. One play from last night in first period sticks out where he went into the boards with a much bigger defender almost behind the net, in an instant he had stolen the puck and zipped a pass behind his back right into the slot. Once teammates realize that he is continually feeding pucks into the slot the points will start coming.

 

[Pyrophorus]

Anyone impressed with #83 Jack Walker? I was impressed with his speed

I thought he was the worst forward. Very sloppy, in a sloppy game.

 

[Pyrophorus]

Timashov assists again!

 

[Pyrophorus]

Marner was definitely good. He doesn't have the physical attributes to step in and dominate but he is a smart player that knows how to maximize his abilities. There might be growing pains as he sees how to fit in the nhl but eventually he is going to click with Matthews and it will be scary good. One play from last night in first period sticks out where he went into the boards with a much bigger defender almost behind the net, in an instant he had stolen the puck and zipped a pass behind his back right into the slot. Once teammates realize that he is continually feeding pucks into the slot the points will start coming.

Another reason why I think they start slow. They'll have to get over their nervousness/butterflies. It has to twig in their own mind, that yes, they are NHLers now, just like the players they followed beforehand.

 

[Budsfan]

Lots of these young players are close to NHL ready but I think it'll be a numbers game and they will have to really excel at Leafs Camp, or be returned to wherever.

Tough decisions ahead.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

Valiev looks like he could be a top 4 d

 

[Mr Hockey*]

Remember this is not even AHL level hockey.

 

[Ash35]

From what I saw of Marner yesterday, I would say that he's still maybe 3 years away from playing in the NHL. Probably one more year of OHL, then two years in the AHL. Hopefully by then he'll be big enough and strong enough for the NHL.

I was happy when we drafted Marner... but I knew at the time that it could be many years before he's NHL ready. I was fine with that. I think we just need to be patient and wait for him grow into a man's body. Once that happens, he should be able to take his game up to the next level.

Did I not watch the same game as you? Marner dictated the play and was dangerous every shift. He also played well defensively. He's improved %100 from last year's tournament. He'll play this year at least part time. Full time by next year.

 

[Jeypic]

Went to the young stars tourney last night and watched Edmonton vs Vancouver. Puljujarvi scored twice and got an assist. Kinda hoped marner would have a similar showing considering he's a year older and was drafted in the same spot.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I thought he was the worst forward. Very sloppy, in a sloppy game.

I think Cason Hohmann was the worst. Guy didn't do anything. Walker was sloppy, but at least he had a few good rushes with his speed. Hohmann did nothing, got tossed around and then got injured. This game alone will probably send him to the ECHL full time again, which is fine because he'll probably score a lot for the Solar Bears. No way, with his size, will he make it into the NHL, or possibly even full time into the AHL.

 

[saltming]

I missed the game. Glad to hear all the good posts on Valiev. I really like this kid. He is my dark horse on defense, force guys down the lineup and make it on the starting 6. Johnson is my dark horse for forwards.

 

[Bullseye]

Maybe he can become that but the recent evidence is that the Marlies, an AHL team, decided that he wasn't even good enough to do that for them when the games really counted. That's how far off he really is from being that at the NHL level. At the bare minimum he needs to be considered essential by his AHL coach first.

I agree he more less rode the bench during the crucial playoff games but it was near the end of his 1st professional season and he's battled some injuries in the past(speculation). 2016/17 is not a make or break year with the Marlies either - it will be his 2nd pro year and another year of development. No rush on Fred. Being drafted in the 1st round will be a burden that will dog him for ever but it doesn't matter anymore where he was drafted - what matters is his role with the organization long term and that book is just starting to be written.

 

[saltming]

Also glad to see the Goat haters being out in full force. I don't understand why you can't just accept him for what he is?

 

[Mr Hockey*]

Went to the young stars tourney last night and watched Edmonton vs Vancouver. Puljujarvi scored twice and got an assist. Kinda hoped marner would have a similar showing considering he's a year older and was drafted in the same spot.

Puljujarvi will be calder contender

 

[Ash35]

Went to the young stars tourney last night and watched Edmonton vs Vancouver. Puljujarvi scored twice and got an assist. Kinda hoped marner would have a similar showing considering he's a year older and was drafted in the same spot.

Bad luck and a bit of rust was the only reason Marner didn't post similar stats.