[TRADE] Barrie/Kerfoot+ for Kadri+

[rataylor22]

I’d say the chances are pretty high actually. Babcock won’t have Hainsey to put out there and with the subtraction of Gardiner and Zaitsev his options are limited. Not to mention Dermott is good defensively and will be a year older and more mature.

His options to play over Dermott are Barrie and Ceci. I'm almost certain he will play those two over Dermott.

[DusterDave]

And you could be right. All I was saying was I’d prefer to see our two best offensive defencemen separated. I don’t see a need to pair Rielly with Barrie unless they are down in a game and need a few goals.

[lucafen4]

And you could be right. All I was saying was I’d prefer to see our two best offensive defencemen separated. I don’t see a need to pair Rielly with Barrie unless they are down in a game and need a few goals.

Agree... Seems to make more sense to have an elite puck moving Dman on different pairings and 45min/gm than 23min/gm

[mounD]

Leafs fans definitely like this setup, but wasn't everyone's biggest gripe with Babcock last year that he wouldn't play Dermott more? What are the actual chances he's going to go from the to first pairing? I'd say it's unlikely.

You guys do realize Ceci is going to be playing on the first pairing, right? I feel like that's just inevitable because ... reasons.

Maybe something like this ...

Rielly-Ceci
Muzzin-Barrie
Dermott-Holl
+ Marincin, Harpur

[ericdaoust]

Last year's roles:

Hainsey - 20 min/g, insane SHTOI
Gardiner - 21 min/g, PP2

Ceci and Barrie slot into those roles and not much else changes. Because Babcock logic.

[VintageVibe]

You guys do realize Ceci is going to be playing on the first pairing, right? I feel like that's just inevitable because ... reasons.

Maybe something like this ...

Rielly-Ceci
Muzzin-Barrie
Dermott-Holl
+ Marincin, Harpur

This is what I assumed they'd at least start out with. I wouldn't be surprised if Barrie and Ceci switch back and forth to start the season... I also wouldn't be surprised if Dermott earns his way up to the 1st/2nd pairing by November either.

[Eskimo Brother]

This is what I assumed they'd at least start out with. I wouldn't be surprised if Barrie and Ceci switch back and forth to start the season... I also wouldn't be surprised if Dermott earns his way up to the 1st/2nd pairing by November either.

You guys are also forgetting that Dermott had Shoulder surgery in early May, and the recovery timeline we were given was a minimum of 6 months. That put his first game back at some point in mid-November. I don't think he's jumping onto the first pairing in his first game back.

[VintageVibe]

You guys are also forgetting that Dermott had Shoulder surgery in early May, and the recovery timeline we were given was a minimum of 6 months. That put his first game back at some point in mid-November. I don't think he's jumping onto the first pairing in his first game back.

Right - good point. I guess my post above was more in theory... Whenever Dermott gets back - he should​ work his way up to the top 4 within a month or two.

[Auston'sWilly]

You guys are also forgetting that Dermott had Shoulder surgery in early May, and the recovery timeline we were given was a minimum of 6 months. That put his first game back at some point in mid-November. I don't think he's jumping onto the first pairing in his first game back.

I mentioned it on the previous page.
And it also seems folks are forgetting how stubborn Saskatchewan Mike really is. There is no way he trusts even a healthy Dermott to play top pairing minutes.

Oh wow, I looked that up to make sure it was right, and turns out he was born in Ontario. Oh well, whatever. Grew up in Saskatoon.

[chuckcouples]

Everyone is also forgetting that Ceci does not have a contract yet for this season. I am thinking there's a good chance he files for arbitration this week. He will then be awarded about $6M in arbitration and the Leafs will be forced to let him walk away as they can't afford to pay him that.

*Yes I know that there are reports that Ceci has verbally agreed to a 1 year $4.5M contract but no contract has been signed and there is no good reason for Ceci to sign a new contract for that price. Ceci can be fairly confident that if he goes to arbitration he's going to get paid more or he will become a UFA.

[mounD]

On Sportsnet 590 The Fan, Cody Ceci just said he spoke with Leafs management, and "they see me playing with either Rielly or Muzzin ..."

There you go, folks. Top pair Ceci baby!!!!

[saucelife90]

You guys do realize Ceci is going to be playing on the first pairing, right? I feel like that's just inevitable because ... reasons.

Maybe something like this ...

Rielly-Ceci
Muzzin-Barrie
Dermott-Holl
+ Marincin, Harpur

This is what I would project the pairings as, as well.

Putting Barrie with Reilly seems like a waste of time, when both players are better with the puck on their stick. Separate them, and the puck possession stats should swing heavily in the Leafs favour.

[mounD]

This is what I would project the pairings as, as well.

Putting Barrie with Reilly seems like a waste of time, when both players are better with the puck on their stick. Separate them, and the puck possession stats should swing heavily in the Leafs favour.

Plus, having someone like Muzzin to help shelter Barrie - whose defensive impacts are ... not great - should be helpful all around.

[saucelife90]

Plus, having someone like Muzzin to help shelter Barrie - whose defensive impacts are ... not great - should be helpful all around.

Which is why he primarily played with Zadorov @ 5v5

[als_revenge]

On Sportsnet 590 The Fan, Cody Ceci just said he spoke with Leafs management, and "they see me playing with either Rielly or Muzzin ..."

There you go, folks. Top pair Ceci baby!!!!

Last time I checked, this was a coaching decision :-P

I have the feeling Ceci is going to get run out of town, though...