Toronto Maple Leafs

[lucafen4]

Sosh's agent said he wants to stay in the NHL and is willing to continue in the AHL. I think he should be playing for the Leafs, but how do you play him and not Leivo? Something's gotta give and fast.

[2014olympicgold]

Sosh's agent said he wants to stay in the NHL and is willing to continue in the AHL. I think he should be playing for the Leafs, but how do you play him and not Leivo? Something's gotta give and fast.

Sosh needs to find something other than a shot to make me believe he's an NHL player. Either get faster, or learn to open your shot up. Last yr and the short stint in 2015-16 season he had the shot and once people figured that out they just took it away from him. Right now, knowing they won't bench Martin often, Sosh doesn't have a spot on the Leafs.

[Wfactor]

I think Sosh would thrive in a 3rd line role on this leafs team, it is just players with higher salary have first dibs on the spots. IMO a 4th line of Leivo - Brown - Sosh would be something though

[2014olympicgold]

You don't think Sosh is fast enough ? I think he's a very good skater. I love Leivo and wish he'd play more, but between the two, I think Soshnikov is the better skater. And he plays more of an energy game suited for the 4th line.

I meant like, he needs to be Grabner fast if he doesn't develop another way to open up his shot. When he gets it off without a stick in the way it's a sick shot, but D would just keep their stick in front of them, knowing Sosh couldn't blow past them, and can't dance around them. So he would just shoot and it would kick up into the netting or into the corner.

He's an above average skater with that Babcock impressing determination, but I was talking about, "DAMN that kids fast" type of skating he needs to open his shot up.

[2014olympicgold]

Per 4th line, if Toronto employs a 4th line with Martin, Sosh works better. If it's with Kapanen, I rather a skilled 4th with Leivo.

[2014olympicgold]

Leafs practice lines:
Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
Marleau-Kadri-Komarov
van Riemsdyk-Bozak-Marner
Martin-Moore-Brown


Rielly-Hainsey
Gardiner-Zaitsev
Borgman-Carrick


Extra: Leivo, Soshnikov, Polak

[2014olympicgold]

Also, how did Sosh get the KHL clause in his contract and Ship didn't? Like, even if he was gun-ho on being an NHLer, apparently this Sosh/KHL clause is common, so how did Ship's agent not get that in there?

ugh oh well. Babcock really liked Sosh's practice today apparently.

[Wfactor]

I really don't understand why Martin is always on the starting roster, IMO a player with higher offensive ceiling should be in the lineup every once and a while, I find it annoying when teams find one grinder/fighter they just wont let go of, kind of like Neil in Ottawa

[2014olympicgold]

Some coaches are still old-school, unfortunately, when it comes to icing an enforcer.
Babcock has said many times that having Martin around "keeps the flies off" and lets the kids do their thing.
Me personally, I would fill my lines with 12 of the most talented guys I can find. Can you imagine what a matchup headache that would be for coaches (even at home) when there are 4 scoring lines to worry about ?

At least Martin isn't terrible. He can skate fine and his hands are only half cement. Unlike guys like Kordic, Orr, or McLaren.

I think this is why they specifically got Martin. He can actually play hockey. I don't exactly MIND having Martin in. The way he interacts with Marner and other players on the team outside of actual hockey, would suggest there's something else there. When someone breathes on his boy Marner look out, he's going after you. So if Marner believes he is protected (even if he's not in actuality) he'll be less afraid to do moves.

I would however play Martin as more of a matchup dependent forward. If Leafs play like Carolina who is smaller, he's not in, but if they play Montreal, he's in.

[2014olympicgold]

No Matthews again. This was the game I just assumed he'd be back for. Now it's starting to be a bit concerning based on time. But it's only been 4 games, just over 10 days now.

[Jouko-Pouko]

Is it time to start uttering the "C" word yet ?

Captain?

[2014olympicgold]

Is it time to start uttering the "C" word yet ?

It's either that or a wrist issue (Nylander was taking more draws than usual in Matthews' final game before going on the shelf...)

I thought his back maybe. Missing a practice then playing Nov6th, then on the shelf. Then practicing yesterday and not playing today. Seems like a back thing where it's good one hr then tight the next

[2014olympicgold]

Ander-stellar more like it

[blayze]

Captain?

I think he means Cup!

Parade is back on boys

[2014olympicgold]

I hate to complain but I have one word for their record without Auston...

Attachment 3961

Last 4 games:
0.967sv%
1.23GAA or something like that.
38.25 Shots against/game
37 saves/game

Goaltending. It’s been goaltending.