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Post by finnmccool on Feb 6, 2024 11:40:32 GMT -5
I honestly don't feel we are strong enough top to bottom to go all in and be buyers. I could be wrong and hope they prove me wrong. Just nothing I see excites me For the most part I agree with you stugats1, though I like the little I’ve seen from Bobby McMann and Pontus Holmberg. I know they havent done much offensively but look at who they’ve had as line mates. I've followed McMann since he signed as a college free agent out of Collgate and he has gotten better and better as he went, in fact he was on pace for 50 goals last year with the Marlies and his team mates raved about his phyical strength. He’s 6’2” and 210 LBS and skates well and I would love to see him be give a chance other than on the 4th line to see what he could do. Pontus Holmberg is 6’.0” 200 LBS and I have seen comments from Keefe about his phyical strength, and I have seen him bowl over quite a few opponents. With his skill and vision I think could be a solid 3rd line center of Keefe could only stop with shaking up his lines. I live in Hamilton so from time to time I catch a Marlies game and sadly there is very little to get excited about there. Yes Dennis Hildeby is a interesting prospect but he is a little inconsistant and probably needs at least one more year with the Marlies. Topi Niemela is another Marlie who gets alot of press and I have seen him play 3 games this year and have not been impressed at all. He’s is on the small side and not very phyical nor dynamic and I can’t see him being anything more than a 5th or 6th Defenceman. The only Marlie I have seen who stood out has been Ryan Tverberg who’s good skater and is phyical, but it’s more to do with finishing his checks rather than crushing them. He looks like a potential 3 line winger who can contribute offensively and be responsible defensively
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Post by Gerard on Feb 6, 2024 12:25:35 GMT -5
thanks for all that Finn. I must admit I was hoping for a better report but that's what happens when you deal off your prospects for a quick fix at the trade deadline. This team is exactly as indicated so all we can do is go along for the ride and cross our fingers.
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Post by jayleaf on Feb 6, 2024 16:08:45 GMT -5
thanks for all that Finn. I must admit I was hoping for a better report but that's what happens when you deal off your prospects for a quick fix at the trade deadline. This team is exactly as indicated so all we can do is go along for the ride and cross our fingers. I think the most promising players for the Leafs are Minten and Cowan. Both are doing well in junior hockey and could possibly make the Leafs next season and be impactful players from the get go. I've read a little more about Cowan and he seems to be the character type of player the Leafs desperately need. I suspect he will quickly become a fan favorite. Hopefully Knies in his second season will start to hit his stride. Other than that BJ is going to have to wait till Tavares and Marner are off the books to make the serious upgrades needed, particularly on defense. I'm in the camp that says by signing Nylander BT has already decided to let Marner walk.
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Post by finnmccool on Feb 6, 2024 17:16:08 GMT -5
Agreed Minten and Cowan are far and away the leafs best prospects but I’ll add a 3rd that does not get talked about much, it’s Nikita Grebyonkin. He was draft in 2022 in the 5th round a D+1 pick meaning he was passed over in his first year of draft eligibility. He 6’2” 195 LBS and is highly skilled and is a very good skater who has really taken off since the Leafs drafted him and is currently playing for the top team in the KHL Metallurg Magnitogorsk and as a 20 year old is 3rd in scoring on the team. Im leaving the best for last, his KHL contract ends this year making him a free agent and he has shown interest wanting to play in the NHL. The KHL season ends on Feb 26 and once the playoffs are over we could see Nikita Grebyonkin join the Marlies before their season ends
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Post by mokole on Feb 6, 2024 17:26:11 GMT -5
It was a good game, both teams played well.
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Post by Barilko on Feb 6, 2024 19:13:32 GMT -5
When I saw the lineup sheet and our fourth line was Holmberg - McMann - Reeves, I knew we were in trouble.
I've seen some folks call for Liljegren to be moved. That simply isn't feasible. Presumably we are saying goodbye to both Gio and Brodie this summer -- replacing a third d-man on top of that would be difficult, especially a right-handed shot. Currently the only guys signed for next year that have played on the right side are McCabe and Timmins, and McCabe's a left-handed shot.
I'm seeing a definite difference between the types of players Dubas brought in and the type Treliving added. KD focused on surrounding the core with players who were responsible defensively and could hopefully chip in with some offense here and there. BT on the other hand swung for some more offensive talent with little or no regard to their defensive acumen (and apparently not having much regard for penalty killers either).
I'm agreeing with Stu -- I would rather see them stand pat at the deadline this year, rather than further depleting our draft capital and/or prospect pool just to add a guy like Tanev, who while nice to have, ultimately won't move the needle much this year.
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