Not a huge fan of this move, but if he is overwhelmed hopefully he will agree to go to the Soo. He tended to get hit hard at the lower level, so I'm not sure he's ready for a pro-level forecheck on small ice. Hopefully he proves me wrong and excels though.
I think the whole “not physically mature enough to play in the AHL” thing routinely gets blown out of proportion.
In the AHL he’ll get all the rest and strength training and conditioning training he needs to stay healthy.
He’ll get all the video review coaching he needs to get better.
He’ll get all the coaching attention he needs during practice to get better.
He’ll get all the bonding time he needs with players who have accomplished more to get his habits right.
He’ll get all the in game matchups and situations he needs to work out the details of his game.
You can’t say that about any other league he may be loaned to because Sandins development is not their top priority.
I love that attitude. Wish more people around here took that line.
The only problem with the AHL is that it's full of Jake Dotchin-like troglodytes. There's a ton of great developmental reasons to playing for the Marlies, but a kid who's not physically ready for the AHL can wind up seriously hurt. As 93Leafs mentioned in his post, if Sandin is already prone to taking hard hits in the OHL, the AHL carries extra risk. Hopefully Sandin does great and proves that those concerns were silly.
Borgman, Rosen, Liljegren, Sandin, Subban,Nielsen
alot of potential coming up.
So do you believe that getting him 12-14 minutes a night and playing 1 of 2 games per weekend is the best thing for him?
Me said:They're pretty free to play him whatever minutes in whatever situations are appropriate for him at the time.
Why did you reply to my post without reading it?
But you don't see any disadvantage of playing him the 12-14 that I suggested?
This. You guys got a stud here. Ever since he came over a year ago he has taken everything in stride that has been thrown his way without flinching. He will never look out of place; he has such a high hockey IQ and plays such smart defense he will take care of the puck in his own end and get it out of the zone every time. He will hit the ground running in the AHL and he will climb the depth chart faster than anyone will believe. If he can add another gear and he will dominate the AHL the way he did the OHL.I want him to get faster first and foremost. I think strength is added generally as they get older a lot easier and I'm worried with their program to add strength (Look at Marner, Dermott, Nylander, etc).
If he can add a gear to his skating, similar to Dermott, he's going to be very good and soon. That's the one thing holding him back a little right now.
Huh? Hit hard? Nope. He would take a hit to make a play, no question, but always knew exactly what he was doing, managed the contact situation, made the right play, and never put himself in harms way. He can handle the physicality of the game without question.Not a huge fan of this move, but if he is overwhelmed hopefully he will agree to go to the Soo. He tended to get hit hard at the lower level, so I'm not sure he's ready for a pro-level forecheck on small ice. Hopefully he proves me wrong and excels though.
I'm not so much worried about Nielsen. I could have mentioned anyone, but on the roster is LoVerde, Nielsen, Liljegren, Sandin, Subban, Rosen, Borgman, Sproul, Jardine, Corrado & Cumiskey. Now there's a big difference in some of those guys and getting Sandin some minutes. But with the logjam on there and getting some guys minutes, why add another name into it.
Leafs need to add Jesper Lindgren and reacquire Victor Loov or Tom Nilsson and go ALL Swedish D core.
My 2 cents would be I would love to see him with SSM until Christmas, play in the World juniors and join The Marlies after the tournament
I'm not so much worried about Nielsen. I could have mentioned anyone, but on the roster is LoVerde, Nielsen, Liljegren, Sandin, Subban, Rosen, Borgman, Sproul, Jardine, Corrado & Cumiskey. Now there's a big difference in some of those guys and getting Sandin some minutes. But with the logjam on there and getting some guys minutes, why add another name into it.
editorinleaf.com said:It’s a lot to put on a teenager. Then again, Sandin has only gone on to thrive at every stage he’s stepped foot on in recent years. Why would this one be any different?
Sandin is in the lineup tonight, making his debut after a hand (thumb?) injury.
We have some real solid defensive prospects in the minors.
All the marlies need is a legit veteran goaltender.