Confirmed with Link: Leafs Sign Pontus Aberg, Tyler Gaudet, Kalle Kossila (Announce Agostino, Shore, Wilson, Gravel)

[Cor]

With Dermott, Hyman and Marner both out to start the season (Marner could be there, but it seems unlikely) I have this for my opening night lineup;

Mikheyev - Matthews - Nylander
Johnsson - Tavares - Kapanen
Agostino - Kerfoot - Moore
Aberg - Spezza - Shore
Petan

Rielly - Ceci
Muzzin - Barrie
Harpur - Holl (shudders)
Marincin

Andersen
Hutch

 

[Mr Hockey]

With Dermott, Hyman and Marner both out to start the season (Marner could be there, but it seems unlikely) I have this for my opening night lineup;

Mikheyev - Matthews - Nylander
Johnsson - Tavares - Kapanen
Agostino - Kerfoot - Moore
Aberg - Spezza - Shore
Petan

Rielly - Ceci
Muzzin - Barrie
Harpur - Holl (shudders)
Marincin

Andersen
Hutch

I think Petan is ahead of all these signings

 

[Nylander88]

With Dermott, Hyman and Marner both out to start the season (Marner could be there, but it seems unlikely) I have this for my opening night lineup;

Mikheyev - Matthews - Nylander
Johnsson - Tavares - Kapanen
Agostino - Kerfoot - Moore
Aberg - Spezza - Shore
Petan

Rielly - Ceci
Muzzin - Barrie
Harpur - Holl (shudders)
Marincin

Andersen
Hutch

I'd rather see Wilson than Shore personally. Simply because Wilson + Agostino instantly make us a heavier team as they both hit a ton. We could be quite the annoying team with guys like Agostino, Wilson, Johnsson, Moore, Kapanen, Hyman. But otherwise I like the lineup minus that one personal preference and the 3rd pairing, but that's not your fault haha

 

[Cor]

I think Petan is ahead of all these signings

Maybe Shore. I think Agostino brings more, and Aberg has more potential.

@MyBudJT is gonna yell at me though lol

I'd rather see Wilson than Shore personally. Simply because Wilson + Agostino instantly make us a heavier team as they both hit a ton. We could be quite the annoying team with guys like Agostino, Wilson, Johnsson, Moore, Kapanen, Hyman. But otherwise I like the lineup minus that one personal preference and the 3rd pairing, but that's not your fault haha

I don't know much about Wilson. I'm not sure he's an NHL player or not. If he looks good in camp, I'd be okay with that.


Heck, it's possible we start Kerfoot on the left wing, Spezza at 3C and Shore at 4C.

 

[Leafsdude7]

With Dermott, Hyman and Marner both out to start the season (Marner could be there, but it seems unlikely) I have this for my opening night lineup;

Mikheyev - Matthews - Nylander
Johnsson - Tavares - Kapanen
Agostino - Kerfoot - Moore
Aberg - Spezza - Shore
Petan

Rielly - Ceci
Muzzin - Barrie
Harpur - Holl (shudders)
Marincin

Andersen
Hutch

I'd swap Moore and Mikheyev. I don't see Babs giving a new guy top-6 minutes right out of camp, unless he pretty much has no choice.

 

[jaric1862]

I think shore is on the team and then a 13th forward battle between agostino/aberg/petan/gauthier/wilson (very unlikely wilson makes it), with agostino having an inside track

 

[stickty111]

Solid depth signings here. The Aberg signing is the most interesting one.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I think Petan is ahead of all these signings

Gauthier would be too, and Petan.

All of them should be in the AHL next year. If they are in the NHL, it is due to injury... And that would be a lot of injuries.

 

[Mr Hockey]

Gauthier would be too, and Petan.

oh, yea, i forgot him, and i agree

 

[TMLeafer]

Aberg seems interesting.

 

[Cor]

I'd swap Moore and Mikheyev. I don't see Babs giving a new guy top-6 minutes right out of camp, unless he pretty much has no choice.

It's possible.

Babcock did say Mikheyev was going to be a big part of the team, so I think there's a good chance he's in the top 6 to start if Marner isn't signed and Hyman is out

 

[MyBudJT]

Maybe Shore. I think Agostino brings more, and Aberg has more potential.

@MyBudJT is gonna yell at me though lol

Aww, thanks for thinking of me

I'm not going to ever complain about NHL competition, and have never stated Petan is a lock to make the club. I'm just really interested to see what he could when given an opportunity to succeed (i.e. play with Tavares or Matthews).

I think there is potential there with Petan. I think there is potential there with Aberg, Agostino, Bracco and Shore too. If guys like Agostino, Aberg, Bracco, Shore blow away at camp, and Petan doesn't show up ready... then I wouldn't be disappointed one bit if they make it over Petan.

 

[Nylander88]

Maybe Shore. I think Agostino brings more, and Aberg has more potential.

@MyBudJT is gonna yell at me though lol



I don't know much about Wilson. I'm not sure he's an NHL player or not. If he looks good in camp, I'd be okay with that.


Heck, it's possible we start Kerfoot on the left wing, Spezza at 3C and Shore at 4C.

I thought that too. In that case yes definitely Shore over Wilson based purely on position. Wouldn't be shocked at all to see Babs have a gud pro in Spezza up at 3C if our lineup is depleted of Hyman and Marner

 

[ShaneFalco]

I'd swap Moore and Mikheyev. I don't see Babs giving a new guy top-6 minutes right out of camp, unless he pretty much has no choice.

Babs apparently helped recruit the guy so guaranteed he plays even if his spot isn't earned. Although who knows which line it will be

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I'd swap Moore and Mikheyev. I don't see Babs giving a new guy top-6 minutes right out of camp, unless he pretty much has no choice.

He didn't have any issues with giving Zaitsev 22 minutes right out of the gate. I think Mikheyev can handle 14-16 minutes (which is likely what he gets) from the start.

I think that's less of a stretch than doubling Moore's ice time.

 

[aingefan]

It's possible.

Babcock did say Mikheyev was going to be a big part of the team, so I think there's a good chance he's in the top 6 to start if Marner isn't signed and Hyman is out

He is also very loyal to his opinions, so it’s a good bet he gives Mich every opportunity

 

[stickty111]

Despite the depth we have now, don't be surprised if Babcock still complains about depth next season.
Dubas' reaction should be "sorry Mike, but Dan Cleary is not depth"

 

[ShaneFalco]

Despite the depth we have now, don't be surprised if Babcock still complains about depth next season.
Dubas' reaction should be "sorry Mike, but Dan Cleary is not depth"

"We lost Brownie, Hains, and Gards"

 

[Kamiccolo]

I'd swap Moore and Mikheyev. I don't see Babs giving a new guy top-6 minutes right out of camp, unless he pretty much has no choice.

Babs apparently expects Mikheyev to play a big role for them so wouldn't be surprised.

 

[Sypher04]

It's gonna be fascinating to see how this lineup shakes out in camp. Lots of guys who *could* make this team in that last 1 or 2 spots.

 

[Nylander88]

Babs apparently expects Mikheyev to play a big role for them so wouldn't be surprised.

Interesting to see how he adjust with the language barrier and no Zaitsev or Komarov there to help. Heard with Ozhiganov that Zaits did a lot of interpreting for him in training camp drills so he wasn't as lost out there. Gonna be tough for Mikheyev to get it all together I think

 

[Sypher04]

Interesting to see how he adjust with the language barrier and no Zaitsev or Komarov there to help. Heard with Ozhiganov that Zaits did a lot of interpreting for him in training camp drills so he wasn't as lost out there. Gonna be tough for Mikheyev to get it all together I think

Feels to me like this is something the Leafs should hopefully have considered already. I'd have an interpreter on payroll to join in practice and help Mikheyev.

 

[Havoc]

Knew that name looked familiar.

 

[Nylander88]

Feels to me like this is something the Leafs should hopefully have considered already. I'd have an interpreter on payroll to join in practice and help Mikheyev.

You'd hope. But it's got to be infinitly harder come game time. They're not putting a translator on the bench and certainly he won't be able to communicate with linemates. Definitely makes a hurdle for the kid. Hope he can be found money though.

 

[Sypher04]

You'd hope. But it's got to be infinitly harder come game time. There not putting a translator on the bench and certainly he won't be able to communicate with linemates. Definitely makes a hurdle for the kid. Hope he can be found money though

That's very true. My hope would be that in the early going they'd use the interpreter to establish maybe keywords that he and his D partners could use in specific scenarios. At least as a baseline for establishing on ice communication.