Well, Sandin and Liljegren can stay in the minors again and Lethonen is not a lock by any means. People are penciling him in despite having zero reason to believe he'll slide in so easily . He's a question mark, and for that alone, the Leafs need a few guys that can come, and if there is no minor league season and a potential taxi squad system being implemented, then the Leafs will need a few guys on defence that can play
Gotcha ... yeah i mean Ritchie got in 2 shots that hurt but Wilson stayed up kudos to him ... fight vote was 84% Ritchie - 4% Wilson and 12% undecided ... but Ritchie did get cut from a left but that is what happens when you are looking straight at other guy and other guy drops his shoulder and head to only give you a back of head shot then shoots blind lefts from clutch ... Even Dillon tried to go straight up toe to toe but he had to turn because he did not want to get knocked out after feeling da power ... and then he really only got clocked when he released Ritchie shoulder and ate 3 or 4 left hooks to face to end it
OHL 1 year to AHL 1 year to NHL spare 1 year all after being drafted. Now he has been playing 3rd pair in the last two seasons in a sheltered role full time.
Due to making over 5 million per on a non-competitive team.
doesn't really matter what Dubas or any other person says about how many mins or what role he'll have since his play and those who he's competing with play should dictate there usage
You don't talk about his role and say the words "top 4" if he isn't playing. The fact I have to spell that out is slightly embarrassing tbh. Totally understand the concept of what you say publicly isn't always the case when you are trying to still get full value for a guy in a trade etc. You can simply say we like what he brings to our team etc and other positive blank statements. To say it the way Dubas did...he's playing. He always was playing. He's not here unless Lehtonen can't cut it. He's here to play. If Lehtonen can "cut it", Dubas would look to move Holl or Dermott during camp. They want what Bogosian brings. He isn't a #7. It's simple. Thornton even mentioned Bogosian as guys they've brought in that makes him think we're ready to compete. The style, and intangibles he brings make him a lock. I don't know why people can't accept that. Guess Thornton was playing GM too and saying what he had to say *face palm*
As is with anyone. I'm saying Dubas envisions him in the roster. He was signed to be on the roster. Ya for sure if he shows up 30lbs overweight and sucks he won't play. But I'm more than willing to take bets you see him in the lineup opening night..if anyone wants to put their money where their mouth is instead of just playing the pessimist role
I don't think he makes anyone expendable, but I can't see him being a healthy scratch early in the year just due to optics. He may play his way in to a rotation for 6/7 but he'll start the season on the bottom pair IMO, even if it's not the optimal decision.
Bogosian is a top 6 on the Leafs opening night. Care to make a wager on it or just interested in talking? lol
Also why would you let Lehtonen make anyone expendable? He plays lights out...you can't afford him next year anyways. He plays mediocre and would want a raise next year, why bounce a cost controlled Holl who's of similar age or a younger Dermott who we've developed? Or continue to bury guys like Sandin or Liljegren? Bogo is going to keep re-upping on small deals or move aside to make way for our youth. Lehtonen going to come over as the best D outside the NHL, throw up an ok year, and want 4.5m per x 7yrs like Zaitsev?lol pass. I don't see the point in losing Dermott over Lehtonen, I only see the point in losing Holl over Lehtonen if it's a cap move. And Bogo brings something none of the above mentioned have, and that's why he'll play.
Thanks buddy. I could use more people with common sense. This #7 stuff is giving me a headache.
I agree with most of this. My point was Bogosian was signed to play. It's not a media play by Dubas. When asked why he defended Ceci and didn't bring him back at his 1.25m price tag, Dubas said they wanted Brodie and they wanted a guy like Bogosian who brings a different element. Bogosian will play. That's just the fact of it unless he craps the bed. We want and need the style in which he plays the game. Dubas wasn't just pumping tires cuz that's his job. We truly want him in our top 6. That's all I'm saying. Where Lehtonen does or doesn't fit into that, I don't know.
Why he's that good? He'll be our #6. If that's "that good"...my bad. He was brought in to play 3rd pairing right side imo. Playing as high as he wants and playing top four and all that is Dubas leaving the door open to competition. But he was brought in to play. That much is clear. His style is desperately needed and Dubas along with most of Leafs nation has noticed his style is everything we have been lacking. Dubas noted Dallas signing Pavelski, Perry, Sekara in comparison to Thornton,Simmonds,Bogosian. He fully intends for Bogo to play. Exactly what am I basing what Dubas said on? Umm...I guess what Dubas said is what I'm basing it on. Bogosian has averaged 21 minutes of ice time over the course of his fairly lengthy career. Those are top 4 minutes... although I do think he'll be 3rd pairing (but my point is that he's playing, not a #7, that's it that's all). Hes had injuries, and has been scratched due to contract on a non-competitive team. That has a lot to due with a 5+ million contract on a team going nowhere, than it has with inability to play the game. He's playing. That's all I've been saying.
