35 for a goaltender isn't that old really, provided they been healthy; McBackup is honestly the best option for backup behind a guy like Andersen who's going to play 65+ games again.

And Pickard got the call-ups over Sparks, so they have to like him in the organization.

I'm rooting for Sparks, but might be better shipping him to a team that needs a 1B (Islanders, maybe Dallas) where he'll get 25-30 games.
- gravyface

35 is old for a backup

Very old actually, there aren’t many career backups that make it past 35

Enis + P = Willy??

Let that sink in
- mel_vin

That's what she said.

Sabres are still so poop. Don't see them improving any time soon. Disappointed in Rasbust Dahlin. Maybe just the one game, but was expecting more on a crappy team.
- walshyleafsfan

35 is old for a backup

Very old actually, there aren’t many career backups that make it past 35
- Santo_44

That may be because they can't find jobs, not because they're falling apart.

McBackup's been effective playing a small number of games, a uniquely Toronto thing, as most starters aren't playing 65+ games.

Sabres are still so poop. Don't see them improving any time soon. Disappointed in Dahlin. Maybe just the one game, but was expecting more on a crappy team.
- walshyleafsfan

The Sabres won two of the four preseason games and could have won all four.

That may be because they can't find jobs, not because they're falling apart.

McBackup's been effective playing a small number of games, a uniquely Toronto thing, as most starters aren't playing 65+ games.
- gravyface

Being able to play a game every three weeks is not enough.

If your starter goes down you need your backup to be able to play a month straight. I don’t have confidence that Mcbackup can do that.

The Sabres won two of the four preseason games and could have won all four.
- nbboy

Preseason doesn't mean anything.

Preseason doesn't mean anything.
- LeafGuy89

#garthblog

Gardiner is just so frustrating. He is like Kaberle 2.0. Soft as hell in front of the net and while he does get his points how many does he cost us at the same damn time?! I really hope we don't overpay to keep him.

Up front Engvall with his size has shown enough have to think he is pushing himself into consideration especially with others being a bit underwhelming so far.

Defence I think Oz and Rosen have really pushed themselves, as has CyBorg honestly. Dermott was meh before getting hurt and not sure Holl has done enough either to really outdo the other 3 at this point. Going to be a very interesting race to see who can claim the spots, at least out of the gate.

Goaltending I think the hope was Sparks was going to take McBackup's job but he just hasn't done enough and that last game was a stinker. Pickard has looked pretty good and steady, and McBackup doesn't look like he has fallen off in the least. Sparks also is going to have a bit of trade value so thinking he likely is the odd man out at this point.

I have been more comfortable watching McElhinney than Sparks as the backup. Last night Pickard looked really calm and collected.

andreas johnsson has been surprisingly disappointing so far. still early though
- daeth

Some had annointed him to play with Matthews, he's looked that bad?

Some had annointed him to play with Matthews, he's looked that bad?
- annoyed

Not bad, just mostly invisible.

35 is old for a backup

Very old actually, there aren’t many career backups that make it past 35
- Santo_44

Trade McElhinney. He has a tiny bit of value after his career year but he's old. The Leafs are better off with one of the young guys long term. The only problem is they need a back-up who can play 25+ games and it's unknown if Sparks or Pickard can do that right now, it'd be a bit of a gamble.

Trade McElhinney. He has a tiny bit of value after his career year but he's old. The Leafs are better off with one of the young guys long term. The only problem is they need a back-up who can play 25+ games and it's unknown if Sparks or Pickard can do that right now, it'd be a bit of a gamble.
- Unholy_Goalie

Babcock will not play any backup 25 games.

And the Leafs are a contender. I don't really want a rookie backup. Too risky.

Babcock will not play any backup 25 games.

And the Leafs are a contender. I don't really want a rookie backup. Too risky.
- RogerRoeper

Then he's making a stupid mistake by overworking Andersen.

What is the roster shrinking to today? Like 30-35 players?

Not bad, just mostly invisible.
- daeth

I think him and Kap both came into preseason thinking they had their spots locked down.

If they don’t show more, they might not get into the lineup until some injuries open up spots... seems like Leivo and Ennis are ahead of them.

Brown hasn’t been much either... but they’re not sending him down.

If Ennis keeps on working well with Matthews, I could see Nylander starting on the 3rd with Kadri. The two have been good together in the past, and it’d give the Leafs more depth.


Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Marleau-Matthews-Ennis
Leivo-Kadri-Nylander
Johnsson/Kapanen-Lindholm-Brown

Can Kap play on the left?

Sabres are still so poop. Don't see them improving any time soon. Disappointed in Dahlin. Maybe just the one game, but was expecting more on a crappy team.
- walshyleafsfan

It's the franking preseason, and the kid is getting used to 85X200 and 99 other things.

It might be a tad early to declare Dahlin a bust.

Let's wait until at least the 1st intermission of opening nifht.

I think him and Kap both came into preseason thinking they had their spots locked down.

If they don’t show more, they might not get into the lineup until some injuries open up spots... seems like Leivo and Ennis are ahead of them.

Brown hasn’t been much either... but they’re not sending him down.

If Ennis keeps on working well with Matthews, I could see Nylander starting on the 3rd with Kadri. The two have been good together in the past, and it’d give the Leafs more depth.


Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Marleau-Matthews-Ennis
Leivo-Kadri-Nylander
Johnsson/Kapanen-Lindholm-Brown

Can Kap play on the left?
- Feeling Glucky?

Kap and Johnsson have at least shown their speed.

They make the team over Lievo hands down. You do not throw away the last few seasons over two pre season games.

I bought two Gilmour beers.

Drinking one now.

My official review: very, very meh.

Trade McElhinney. He has a tiny bit of value after his career year but he's old. The Leafs are better off with one of the young guys long term. The only problem is they need a back-up who can play 25+ games and it's unknown if Sparks or Pickard can do that right now, it'd be a bit of a gamble.
- Unholy_Goalie

I would be up for that...I hope they keep Pikard and Sparks and then send one down in a few weeks to try and sneak one to the Marlies.

I like Mcbackup but unfortunately his career is almost over and Sparks/Pikards have just begun

I bought two Gilmour beers.

Drinking one now.

My official review: very, very meh.
- Atomic Wedgie

i was hoping it'd be an ok light beer but im not surprised lol

I bought two Gilmour beers.

Drinking one now.

My official review: very, very meh.
- Atomic Wedgie

Flavourless lagers are what these guys always put their names on.

Then he's making a stupid mistake by overworking Andersen.
- Unholy_Goalie

I agree but he did not rest him when the Leafs were stuck in 3rd from February-on.

Then he's making a stupid mistake by overworking Andersen.
- Unholy_Goalie

I don't disagree however some of the best goalies in recent memory played 65+ games a season routinely.... Brodeur, Belfour, Roy, Luongo, etc.

Some guys just do better with heavy workloads... is Andersen one of them? That's the question.

(Please know I'm not pegging Andersen as a future HoF-er, he has a lot to prove before that is even a whisper)