I haven't really paid any attention to Vegas this preseason. Didn't know Glass made the team.

Is he gonna be on the 4th line or actually get a chance with good players?
- GreatGigInTheSky

He jumped Stastny for 2nd line center and as of now is on PP1 according to DailyFaceoff.com

Babcock being Babcock. So tone deaf sometimes. Spezza returning home to the Leafs and opening night he sits him against his former team in favor of Nick Shore?
Can you honestly argue Nick Shore is so much better than Spezza in preseason evaluation that Babcock has to create drama over it?

He jumped Stastny for 2nd line center and as of now is on PP1 according to DailyFaceoff.com
- RickJames77

Oh poop. Glad I didn't take Stastny late in any of my fantasy leagues.

I just wonder if he's not doing some little details that he's been asked to do, things we don't pick up in games that would fly under the radar.

I used to like it when the beat reporters would sit close enough to listen in on practice, but nowadays, they post their obligatory "Leafs lineup at practice" tweet and go back to their story drafts and Starbucks.
- gravyface

Yup, Spezza kept boasting that he would like to be a voice.

Well, was he doing the drills properly? Was he even giving a poop during them? Was he munching on pizza in the lockeroom like Philly cheese?

Idk, the next 10 games we will know which guy deserves to stick there.

I'll place a $400 bet on them in January when they're last.

Babcock being Babcock. So tone deaf sometimes. Spezza returning home to the Leafs and opening night he sits him against his former team in favor of Nick Shore?
Can you honestly argue Nick Shore is so much better than Spezza in preseason evaluation that Babcock has to create drama over it?
- floater_willy

Can you argue that he does deserve it so much more than Spezza?

Babcock being Babcock. So tone deaf sometimes. Spezza returning home to the Leafs and opening night he sits him against his former team in favor of Nick Shore?
Can you honestly argue Nick Shore is so much better than Spezza in preseason evaluation that Babcock has to create drama over it?
- floater_willy

Its so stupid. Babs is an idiot. You put in Spezza on opening night. If you need to manage his workload, fine, but not opening night... makes no sense. Babs just wants to flex his schlong so Dubas knows who is in charge! lol

O'neil is hot about Spezza...

Making some good points... Spezza showed up early to help with the young guys and could have signed for more elsewhere. It is a slight from Babs.
- Hockey_Reverend

Leadership is not something that is appreciated here. Some say...... it doesn't even exist.

Can you argue that he does deserve it so much more than Spezza?
- Santo_44

Maybe the Leafs coaching staff just picked the best players.

Can you argue that he does deserve it so much more than Spezza?
- Santo_44

No, but based on skill and being a vet, you go with Spezza. Nic Shore? Really?

Babcock being Babcock. So tone deaf sometimes. Spezza returning home to the Leafs and opening night he sits him against his former team in favor of Nick Shore?
Can you honestly argue Nick Shore is so much better than Spezza in preseason evaluation that Babcock has to create drama over it?
- floater_willy

I can guarantee 100%, without any shadow of a doubt, Shore will try harder than Jason, i d'ne give a (frank), Spezza. He was horrific in preseason.

Thankfully Babcock has moved away from "Tie goes to the vet" and decided to go with the younger guy.

Babcock is 100% getting fired this season.

Dubas goes and gets Spetz and Petan.

Nope, minors and scratched. Let’s see what Shore and Timashov can do.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Babcock doesn't control who gets waived and who is on the roster. He does control who is dressed. Petan getting waived in favour of Shore or Timashov isn't something I'd have done personally - I like Petan more than Timashov - but for that to have happened, it means that Dubas is in agreement and he also was willing to risk losing Petan on waivers over Timashov.

As for Spezza sitting in game one? He also sat the last preseason game. Maybe something's wrong. Maybe his play isn't up to par. Maybe he isn't practicing hard enough for his coach. Spezza is a veteran and a professional. If he has enough left in the tank, he knows what to do to step up.

Maybe the Leafs coaching staff just picked the best players.
- bixll

Spezza is an NHLer.

The numbers say Shore is too.

But regardless there was just a month long training camp. Shore obviously impressed management and the staff....pre season games aren’t the whole story. I’d say it’s barely the story for picking players.

Its so stupid. Babs is an idiot. You put in Spezza on opening night. If you need to manage his workload, fine, but not opening night... makes no sense. Babs just wants to flex his schlong so Dubas knows who is in charge! lol
- Hockey_Reverend

Spezza is an NHLer.

The numbers say Shore is too.

But regardless there was just a month long training camp. Shore obviously impressed management and the staff....pre season games aren’t the whole story. I’d say it’s barely the story for picking players.
- Santo_44

I am guessing the speed difference is noticeable.

Babcock doesn't control who gets waived and who is on the roster. He does control who is dressed. Petan getting waived in favour of Shore or Timashov isn't something I'd have done personally - I like Petan more than Timashov - but for that to have happened, it means that Dubas is in agreement and he also was willing to risk losing Petan on waivers over Timashov.

As for Spezza sitting in game one? He also sat the last preseason game. Maybe something's wrong. Maybe his play isn't up to par. Maybe he isn't practicing hard enough for his coach. Spezza is a veteran and a professional. If he has enough left in the tank, he knows what to do to step up.
- Monkeypunk

This.

We just don’t know, people instantly jump the gun and blame Babcock because he doesn’t like him. They are both serviceable 4th line players, there is a reason he picked Shore to play first and as outsiders we don’t know.

Why does Babcock owe Spezza? Does he owe him something that he doesn’t owe Shore?

No, but based on skill and being a vet, you go with Spezza. Nic Shore? Really?
- Hockey_Reverend

All the points they made on LL are valid.

Why would a FA like Spezza want to sign here now if they are going to get scratched for KHL’ers?

So here’s the issue with big egos. Dubas should have the final say, not Shanny. What is Shannys role now? Why make KD GM if you don’t believe in his vision? Clearly Shanny blocked Dubas from firing Babs. The rift is obvious between them. I think Shanny will quickly turn on Babs if he starts taking heat.

I am guessing the speed difference is noticeable.
- bixll

I honestly didn’t catch the games Shore played in.

No, but based on skill and being a vet, you go with Spezza. Nic Shore? Really?
- Hockey_Reverend

We hated him picking the vet

We hated him picking the vet
- walshyleafsfan

I would need to drop one of Zucker, Nedierreiter, Granlund, DeBrusk or Lee. I don't want to drop any of them, but I want my Glass! Ahh what to do

French (or anyone else for that matter) would you drop someone like a Jason Zucker for him now or wait? I'm in a keeper league (it's a weird one, don't get me started) and it could be very wise. Maybe a bit risky, but I could take the chance and probably replace Zucker's production elsewhere. Any advice appreciated.
- RickJames77

Gallant hasn't really played any of the young players. Hard to tell...in fact...they keep trading the young guys for vets

Babcock doesn't control who gets waived and who is on the roster. He does control who is dressed. Petan getting waived in favour of Shore or Timashov isn't something I'd have done personally - I like Petan more than Timashov - but for that to have happened, it means that Dubas is in agreement and he also was willing to risk losing Petan on waivers over Timashov.

As for Spezza sitting in game one? He also sat the last preseason game. Maybe something's wrong. Maybe his play isn't up to par. Maybe he isn't practicing hard enough for his coach. Spezza is a veteran and a professional. If he has enough left in the tank, he knows what to do to step up.
- Monkeypunk

I think Babcock and Pridham control everything, lol...

A lot of it is just juggling the cap restraints. I think people are looking into it wayyy too much if they think the Spezza scratch was anything other than Babs pulling a power move. A (frank) you to Dubas. Which is a (frank) you to Shanny.

I would need to drop one of Zucker, Nedierreiter, Granlund, DeBrusk or Lee. I don't want to drop any of them, but I want my Glass! Ahh what to do
- RickJames77

Lee

I think Babcock and Pridham control everything, lol...

A lot of it is just juggling the cap restraints. I think people are looking into it wayyy too much if they think the Spezza scratch was anything other than Babs pulling a power move. A (frank) you to Dubas. Which is a (frank) you to Shanny.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Could also be PK preference.

When Hyman comes back, maybe Jason plays more.?