Josh Leivo

[OVO16]

Josh Leivo if used correctly, can be that big bodied 4th line grinder the Leafs need. He has the Size and Grit for it.

Babcock should tell him straight up that if you want to make the team, you will need to become a 4th lien specialist. So that means adding some more meat to your game

 

[TheProspector]

Leivo is a good player. It's really puzzling that he's been suppressed for this long.

 

[diceman934]

He may have the best interests of the Leafs in mind but that doesn't mean all of his decisions are the right ones. Komarov on the PP for example is one wtf are you thinking decision




His stats and style of play would say otherwise. What skillset did Martin and Komarov have that allowed them to stay in the lineup? One for the whole year

I said role. Martin played a role that Levio could not. Komarov was and still is among the best PK forwards in the League as well as a good shut down winger who hits. Levio is not that. Hockey teams are made up of different parts and Levio last year was not better than JVR or Marleau scoring wingers left side . So then we look at shut down pk winger Komarov was and still is better than him at that role.

4 line winger. Babcock wants wingers on the 4th line who can kill penalties and play above the puck and be at worse a line that does not get scored on so being good defensively as well as fast enough to get in on the forecheck is vital, another role he was not proficient enough to supplant our left winger at.

If you do not understand that you can not take all the most skilled players and slot them in and be a good team with out thinking about roles then I simply do not know what more I can tell you other then you are wrong.

One more thing if Levio was in the line up he got time on the PP but we can not afford to dress a player because he is a better option then another on the PP.

 

[ShaneFalco]

I said role. Martin played a role that Levio could not. Komarov was and still is among the best PK forwards in the League as well as a good shut down winger who hits. Levio is not that. Hockey teams are made up of different parts and Levio last year was not better than JVR or Marleau scoring wingers left side . So then we look at shut down pk winger Komarov was and still is better than him at that role.

4 line winger. Babcock wants wingers on the 4th line who can kill penalties and play above the puck and be at worse a line that does not get scored on so being good defensively as well as fast enough to get in on the forecheck is vital, another role he was not proficient enough to supplant our left winger at.

If you do not understand that you can not take all the most skilled players and slot them in and be a good team with out thinking about roles then I simply do not know what more I can tell you other then you are wrong.

One more thing if Levio was in the line up he got time on the PP but we can not afford to dress a player because he is a better option then another on the PP.

Martin played no role at all really, which is why he was a healthy scratch half the year and then traded. Komarov is far from one of the best PK's in the league and this has been so overblown! And even if he was, he did nothing else (the hitting/agitating thing left his game a year or so ago).

The 4th line was a train-wreck until Martin was removed. It was one of the worst in the league
Komarov's line was pretty bad too until he was moved off of it. Their "roles" were reduced to nothing and in Komarov's case, far too late. And putting the guy on the PP - seriously?

There was NO reason whatsoever not to at least see what they had in Leivo. And that's the thing that drives me nuts about Babcock.

 

[Randy Randerson]

I hope you are right. Any level of transitional ability on the right is highly needed

agree, even if Zaitsev rights the ship we're still missing a top pairing RHD

 

[diceman934]

Martin played no role at all really, which is why he was a healthy scratch half the year and then traded. Komarov is far from one of the best PK's in the league and this has been so overblown! And even if he was, he did nothing else (the hitting/agitating thing left his game a year or so ago).

The 4th line was a train-wreck until Martin was removed. It was one of the worst in the league
Komarov's line was pretty bad too until he was moved off of it. Their "roles" were reduced to nothing and in Komarov's case, far too late. And putting the guy on the PP - seriously?

There was NO reason whatsoever not to at least see what they had in Leivo. And that's the thing that drives me nuts about Babcock.

As I thought you have no concept of what it takes to fill out a lineup.

What excuses will you make for Levio if he fails to make the team this year?

He is not an option on our top 2 lines this coming year. I also think the 3rd line is likely filled already all with vastly more useful players. He is going to have to be a 4th line winger who must removed all doubt as to his usefulness or again he will find himself on the outside looking in and his fans having no one to point st saying he is better then him.

This reminds me of Joe Colbourne all over again. A player who can play in the NHL but no roster spot for him here. I simply see him as our 13th Forward again and we may have already agreed to trade him if that is the case, other wise unless an injury on our left wing happens he will be having a great view from the press box again.

 

[nsleaf]

Leivo would likely make the playing roster of most NHL teams but TO may not be one of them because they already have what he brings to the team, there is just no room. I think he is just a victim of circumstance, not conspiracy.

 

[Boutette]

As I thought you have no concept of what it takes to fill out a lineup.

What excuses will you make for Levio if he fails to make the team this year?

He is not an option on our top 2 lines this coming year. I also think the 3rd line is likely filled already all with vastly more useful players. He is going to have to be a 4th line winger who must removed all doubt as to his usefulness or again he will find himself on the outside looking in and his fans having no one to point st saying he is better then him.

This reminds me of Joe Colbourne all over again. A player who can play in the NHL but no roster spot for him here. I simply see him as our 13th Forward again and we may have already agreed to trade him if that is the case, other wise unless an injury on our left wing happens he will be having a great view from the press box again.

Who are the 'vastly more useful' players possible pencilled to the 3rd line? Brown? Kapanen? Johnsson? Sure each of them are also PK experts, but are any of them really better players overall at ES on a line that won't need one of them to play a purely defensive role, as Brown for instance was asked to do?

 

[diceman934]

Who are the 'vastly more useful' players possible pencilled to the 3rd line? Brown? Kapanen? Johnsson? Sure each of them are also PK experts, but are any of them really better players overall at ES on a line that won't need one of them to play a purely defensive role, as Brown for instance was asked to do?

You know the answered if you are being honest with your self. All 3 are better and I feel if I am being honest that Gundstrom is going to be a Leaf this year. If not right out of camp shortly afterward. He is a better player as well.

 

[Boutette]

You know the answered if you are being honest with your self. All 3 are better and I feel if I am being honest that Gundstrom is going to be a Leaf this year. If not right out of camp shortly afterward. He is a better player as well.

Each of these players have different skillsets which will make them 40-50pt support players if they are utilized appropriately to their skillsets. Leivo's possession stats and his shot are something that none of the other three have shown to have. If your being honest with yourself, you will agree that Grundstrom will a the very least get the Kapanen treatment if not the Johnsson treatment from 17-18 this coming year. But there's also lots of competition on the Marlies for promotions and not a lot of forward spots available. Bracco, Engvall, Marchment and Ferguson also have individual skillsets that may set them apart from the crowd enough to earn a promotion along with Grundstrom depending on injuries or what Babcock thinks the team needs (a playmaker, a big body, a player who is a net crasher etc).

 

[Ciao]

I said role. Martin played a role that Levio could not. Komarov was and still is among the best PK forwards in the League as well as a good shut down winger who hits. Levio is not that. Hockey teams are made up of different parts and Levio last year was not better than JVR or Marleau scoring wingers left side . So then we look at shut down pk winger Komarov was and still is better than him at that role.

4 line winger. Babcock wants wingers on the 4th line who can kill penalties and play above the puck and be at worse a line that does not get scored on so being good defensively as well as fast enough to get in on the forecheck is vital, another role he was not proficient enough to supplant our left winger at.

If you do not understand that you can not take all the most skilled players and slot them in and be a good team with out thinking about roles then I simply do not know what more I can tell you other then you are wrong.

One more thing if Levio was in the line up he got time on the PP but we can not afford to dress a player because he is a better option then another on the PP.

Your knowledge of the player would be a bit more persuasive if you could even spell his name. It's not "Levio": it's Leivo.

Probably the least thing you might have wrong about him.

 

[diceman934]

Your knowledge of the player would be a bit more persuasive if you could even spell his name. It's not "Levio": it's Leivo.

Probably the least thing you might have wrong about him.

I am typing on a cell phone and it seems to like to spell the way it wants.

If you want to post an opinion or debate mine then do so.

 

[Ciao]

I am typing on a cell phone and it seems to like to spell the way it wants.

If you want to post an opinion or debate mine then do so.

He has size and a scoring touch, which gives him more tools than Ennis.

I think he has a shot at the fourth line, with the possibility of moving up the lineup in case of injury or performance issues with the players ahead of him.

He needs to come to camp fit, hungry and ready to go. If this isn't his last chance with this franchise, it means he passes through waivers and would likely be a career minor-leaguer.

Josh Leivo must know this is make-it-or-break-it time for his NHL career, and I fully expect him to make it.

 

[diceman934]

He has size and a scoring touch, which gives him more tools than Ennis.

I think he has a shot at the fourth line, with the possibility of moving up the lineup in case of injury or performance issues with the players ahead of him.

He needs to come to camp fit, hungry and ready to go. If this isn't his last chance with this franchise, it means he passes through waivers and would likely be a career minor-leaguer.

Josh Leivo must know this is make-it-or-break-it time for his NHL career, and I fully expect him to make it.

Something I have said more then once in this thread as it is the 4th line that is the availabile spot. I think his main completion for Levio is grundstrom in my opinion. If Babcock is consistent then Leivo earns the spot out of camp. I do think that Gundstrom bring a skill set to the table that may see him make the team out of camp. If not out of camp then soon afterwards.

 

[zeke]

As I thought you have no concept of what it takes to fill out a lineup.

What excuses will you make for Levio if he fails to make the team this year?

He is not an option on our top 2 lines this coming year. I also think the 3rd line is likely filled already all with vastly more useful players. He is going to have to be a 4th line winger who must removed all doubt as to his usefulness or again he will find himself on the outside looking in and his fans having no one to point st saying he is better then him.

This reminds me of Joe Colbourne all over again. A player who can play in the NHL but no roster spot for him here. I simply see him as our 13th Forward again and we may have already agreed to trade him if that is the case, other wise unless an injury on our left wing happens he will be having a great view from the press box again.

again, Colborne is the opposite of leivo - a guy who kept getting eness prime opportunities despite sucking.

Leivo is the opposite - can of get a chance despite being extremely effective when he does.

a better leaf comparable is probably stralman - a guy who was ditched for nothing, while most leafs fans cheered the move.

 

[diceman934]

again, Colborne is the opposite of leivo - a guy who kept getting eness prime opportunities despite sucking.

Leivo is the opposite - can of get a chance despite being extremely effective when he does.

a better leaf comparable is probably stralman - a guy who was ditched for nothing, while most leafs fans cheered the move.

I hated the Stralman move.

Colbourne got less of a chance then Leivo as he played 16 games over 3 years. Leivo has played 57 games over 5 years.

The are comparable as both can play in the NHL but we do not have a roster spot for him it appears.

Colbourne never got endless prime time chances as 16 games over 3 seasons is not endless at all.

 

[GardinerTheForward]

You know the answered if you are being honest with your self. All 3 are better and I feel if I am being honest that Gundstrom is going to be a Leaf this year. If not right out of camp shortly afterward. He is a better player as well.

I agree with that carl makes the switch full time this year. Called it last year he makes the team out of camp - anyone can search my posts for proof.

Hot take: Leivo is better than Kapanen. Kapanen can not think the game to make a play.

 

[Battle Lin]

our 5 and 6 D are 6'0 and 5'10...lindholm might be our 4c and hes a small guy too...i would seriously laugh if little ennis made opening night over leivo, i mean how small and soft we wanna get

 

[Battle Lin]

kapanen's defensive game, defensive potential and speed, is miles ahead of leivo, and he will never catch up...and being a few years younger too, leivo's offensive game aint no much better than kappy's imo maybe a little better

 

[Havoc]

I agree with that carl makes the switch full time this year. Called it last year he makes the team out of camp - anyone can search my posts for proof.

Hot take: Leivo is better than Kapanen. Kapanen can not think the game to make a play.

Good luck finding any respectable scout that would back up your opinion that Kapanen lacks hockey sense.

Only thing he's lacking is size and he needs to cut down on the neutral zone turnovers.

Leivo is not even in the same tier as Kapanen. Kapanen will skate circles around teams in his prime.

 

[Marrner]

Martin was brought in to protect the rookies and Babcock played him like a 4th line player that he is. I fail to see the love fest that people claim Babcock had for him as he sat him as a healthy scratch for a large part of the season.

Komarov is still a useful player who played his role very well. He played injured for a long while last year and he played some very hard minutes effectively.

Polak was played as we needed to have a D man who could play on the 3rd pair and play the pk as well and despite what many on here think Polak was a good 3rd pair D man as he was a right shot and we lacked anyone in our system to take his spot.

Babcock favours hardworking players and to be honest every coach everywhere does.

One last thing every player that have been mention were an NHL player before Babs came here to coach as other coaches seen value in them and all are still going to be nhl players next year. As other teams see value in them, yet it Babcock who can be faulted because he played them when some young guys who have skill had to wait their turn for a chance.

I am addressing this to everyone who has said that they wanted a proper rebuild and a change in culture. Then criticize Babcock for implementing the culture we desperately needed and still do. Giving players roster spots because they have more skill is absurd make them hungry and earn it and we will be the better team for it.

Exactly... Excellent post. Competition is never a bad thing, and extra depth is always good. Leivo is a good player but if he was good enough he'd make the team. I believe he can make other tea.s rosters and since Dubas is a "player guy" he will trade him to give him a fresh start if he doesn't make it out of camp

 

[TheGroceryStick]

He has constantly and consistently been passed over by harder working prospects.

I think that trend will continue on this team.

He really needs to find a lower end team that is starved for wingers; he is too good for the AHL , but doesn't have the drive to break into an established lineup. Doesn't have the "force his way in" mentality, he is more of a guy that requires alot of games to get a coaches trust.

 

[ShaneFalco]

As I thought you have no concept of what it takes to fill out a lineup.

What excuses will you make for Levio if he fails to make the team this year?

Ok I'll defer to your expertise
And none

 

[crump]

our 5 and 6 D are 6'0 and 5'10...lindholm might be our 4c and hes a small guy too...i would seriously laugh if little ennis made opening night over leivo, i mean how small and soft we wanna get

I think Lindholm's height is erroneously reported on some sites. More accurate and first hand accounts have him at 6' now.

 

[al secord]

Your knowledge of the player would be a bit more persuasive if you could even spell his name. It's not "Levio": it's Leivo.

Probably the least thing you might have wrong about him.

A Leivo by any other name is still not good enough.