Pre-Game Talk: Maple Leafs @ Blue Jackets, October 4th

[MapleLeafs9]

Spezza, Petan and Holl draw in tomorrow for Shore, Timashov and Marincin. Disappointed to see Timashov come out, he played well and got a point, but I guess Babcock wants to give Petan a chance.

Click to read more...

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

I hope Babcock isn't planning to include Sandin in his defensive rotation

 

[WillTheThrill]

Pleasantly surprised that Marincin is coming out for Holl instead of Sandin. Hopefully Sandin isn’t out of lineup Saturday night.

 

[Alerion]

Totally fine with this kind of rotation on the bottom end of the lineup, IMO it's how things should be done early in the year.

 

[Clark4Ever]

I like the changes other than Timashov. I think he's more effective on the 4th line than Petan.

 

[Mess]

Wonder how much involvement Dubas has in this?

A coach generally after a win doesn't like to change a winning line-up.

Perhaps this is only a 1 week thing so everyone gets into the new season and then after this game we will see a guy like Holl sit out regularly.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Hopefully this is Babcock changing his ways. It does no one any good to have guys rot in the press box.

 

[ACC1224]

I figured the backup would get this one.

 

[Nineteen67]

I figured the backup would get this one.

Although they may be thinking Montreal is the weaker of the two teams and there’s a game on Monday against StL.

 

[ACC1224]

Anyone making the trip down?
Great place to catch a game.

 

[Cor]

Rotation is good.

Makes no sense for guys to sit weeks at a time in the press box.

If Petan falters, he could be sent down and Agostino or Koshkov or someone can be brought up to get a shot in the rotation as well.

Same with Holl. If he falters, maybe Timoth is brought back up, or Gravel who did well.

 

[Havoc]

I don't get the point of swapping out Timashov unless Babcock is legit running auditions?

Leafs are still a young team that will have spots filled with guys still developing. Let the growing pains occur.

 

[Primary Assist]

Babs has always been pretty good about giving different guys looks early in the season. Holl for Marincin is kind of a wash - Holl is faster and a more powerful skater while Marincin has better gap control and a more active stick. Both are #6D. Spezza is likely the missing piece on PP2 but I do think that Friday's 4th line will be worse than last night's 4th line. Petan won't have any trade value if he sits in the press box all season, so this gives him a chance to earn his next roster spot.

 

[leafsfuture]

Holl gets to play!!!

 

[Confucius]

Babs will give everyone a shot to prove themselves. It for sure will get to the point where if you are worse than the guy that is on the ice, you're sitting.

 

[Rogue]

Excited for this one. Let’s go for the second win.

 

[Buds17]

Now would seem to be about the best time to rotate. Tougher decision to rotate Timashov out for me because of his brief amount of NHL experience and the waivers issue, but I don't mind Petan getting the call either. Perhaps the back-to-back situation is a consideration too. Hopefully the incoming players show well.

 

[IPS]

I hope Babcock isn't planning to include Sandin in his defensive rotation

Oh he is, don't worry about that.

 

[robertmac43]

Hoping we start on time and look a little less sloppy throughout the game. Should be a good opportunity to start the year with 2 wins!

 

[ShaneFalco]

Babs will give everyone a shot to prove themselves. It for sure will get to the point where if you are worse than the guy that is on the ice, you're sitting.

Well that would be a big change for him. There have been a few guys who should have been sitting in place of better players, but they were gud pros so they stayed in

 

[Advanced stats]

I hope Babcock isn't planning to include Sandin in his defensive rotation

I hope he is, because there's no way sandin can handle a 90+ game season at 19.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

I hope he is, because there's no way sandin can handle a 90+ game season at 19.

If he only gets 9 minutes a night it should be a breeze

 

[DarkKnight]

I hope he is, because there's no way sandin can handle a 90+ game season at 19.

I don’t think he plans on pulling Sandin at this point, his play will determine. He might need a break here or there to reset. That said, are people really going to get upset if a 19 year old does? Of course they are

 

[ULF_55]

I hope he is, because there's no way sandin can handle a 90+ game season at 19.

Kawhi couldn't even handle the NBA for a full season.

I think it worked out.

 

[MJ65]

Timashov was pretty good in his 1st game - oh well