Lee
- walshyleafsfan

Could also be J.T Miller - I missed him, but think he could get a good opportunity in Vancouver. I was leaning Lee too. (frank) me

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

Fair point. If he sticks and has a good season he'd be a last round pick for me next season - that's the kicker. Thanks for all of your help btw.

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

Why does this have to be a fu k you move. Maybe Spezza is hurt. Maybe Shore just won the position.

I am guessing the speed difference is noticeable.
- bixll

The speed difference is - but I didn't really think Shore was all that fast. My personal take on the preseason was that Spezza never really tried all that hard. He played a veteran's preseason. The problem is that he was playing for a role, so he didn't really press himself into a role, which is why he has to continue to battle for one now.

I still think that now that the season has started and the games matter, Spezza will battle harder, and he'll do more. That's pure speculation. He could be done, but I hope he has something left. But if last year's Spezza shows up, he should oust anyone of the 4th liners for a spot. If preseason's Spezza sticks around, then Spezza will be playing for a different Toronto team.

Lastly, I think Shore brings the ability to PK which is important. While Spezza has said "I used to PK,". . . . you know what, *I* used to be able to do handstands. Now I would break my elbows in four places and get a concussion.

Could also be J.T Miller - I missed him, but think he could get a good opportunity in Vancouver. I was leaning Lee too. (frank) me
- RickJames77

Oh God yeah. Miller first 100%. Then Lee.

Leivo had chances also. He was going to pot 25 goals a year given the chance.


Then he didn't.

Could also be PK preference.

When Hyman comes back, maybe Jason plays more.?
- walshyleafsfan

Spezza has played 16 years in the league.

I think they know what they were getting when they signed him. Tbh, I was pretty anti-Spezza before they signed him. I laughed at how slow he was for DAL. I didn’t understand the signing, and maybe he actually sucks now, idk. But I doubt he sucks so much that they couldn’t start him for the first game. At least that way Babs could be like, “Nope, you all saw that, so nope”...

Why does this have to be a fu k you move. Maybe Spezza is hurt. Maybe Shore just won the position.
- bixll

Ya maybe.

But he could have still started him. It’s just one game. If they lose I doubt it’ll be because of the 6 minutes Spezza plays..

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

I think you're reading a power dynamic where there isn't one. There are going to be times (like when Dubas acquired Petan last year - there's no way Babcock wanted a 5'9 guy for his 4th line - but it's not like Par Lindholm was any good) that they disagree, but I think they're pretty transparent about it.

A good management group communicates. They will disagree. Dubas will try and accommodate Babcock where he can, but Dubas has a vision and a plan, and Pridham's job is to help him accomplish that plan financially by giving him options. At times Dubas will acquire or move out players that Babcock is unhappy about. But Babs will have had a say.

I firmly believe that if you have a hockey team that doesn't operate in a similar fashion it's dysfunctional and someone is going to be fired soon.

It seems way more obvious to scratch Timashov - hasn't done anything to impress.
Spezza can PP and win faceoffs, and Shore is a good PK'er.

4th line should be Spezza - Gauthier - Shore.

Could also be PK preference.

When Hyman comes back, maybe Jason plays more.?
- walshyleafsfan

that's a fair point.

could be spezza's role is utility player.

if he's mentally prepared for it, he physically might be better off not playing all 82 games anyways.

idk. i'm probably stretching looking for some upside to this.

It seems way more obvious to scratch Timashov - hasn't done anything to impress.
Spezza can PP and win faceoffs, and Shore is a good PK'er.

4th line should be Spezza - Gauthier - Shore.
- MaximusAurelius

It's getting annoying that I've agreed you a number of times of late. But I actually also would have done this.

I don't know what Timashov did to impress them so much. I'll admit that he does add speed to that line. If I look at that line, it's not fast. Who's my breakout option? a defenseman gets the puck and gives it to . . . who? They'll all be standing still beside him.

Spezza has played 16 years in the league.

I think they know what they were getting when they signed him. Tbh, I was pretty anti-Spezza before they signed him. I laughed at how slow he was for DAL. I didn’t understand the signing, and maybe he actually sucks now, idk. But I doubt he sucks so much that they couldn’t start him for the first game. At least that way Babs could be like, “Nope, you all saw that, so nope”...
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Honestly he is done. We are 10 years too late.

He was awful last year, i watched a bit of Dallas for Fantasy Hockey purposes. The games just pass him by 5vs5. He brings nothing unless you're playing with an extra man (something the Leafs rarely do).

4th line RW doesn't have to be a PP specialist (which to be honest he's not really even that anymore). He was a lottery ticket and it didn't come in. No shame in that. It was a dubious move at the time, and it didn't pan out. That's all.

Hopefully our fortunes are not dependent on which 4th line wingers we pick

Why does this have to be a fu k you move. Maybe Spezza is hurt. Maybe Shore just won the position.
- bixll

Because he disagrees and the only answer is Dubas is being mind controlled because they don’t agree with AA.

Honestly he is done. We are 10 years too late.

He was awful last year, i watched a bit of Dallas for Fantasy Hockey purposes. The games just pass him by 5vs5. He brings nothing unless you're playing with an extra man (something the Leafs rarely do).

4th line RW doesn't have to be a PP specialist (which to be honest he's not really even that anymore). He was a lottery ticket and it didn't come in. No shame in that. It was a dubious move at the time, and it didn't pan out. That's all.

Hopefully our fortunes are not dependent on which 4th line wingers we pick
- walshyleafsfan

Between that and a sub-par backup, were are screwed.

Between that and a sub-par backup, were are screwed.
- bixll

To be honest, the backup situation does bother me.

I think you're reading a power dynamic where there isn't one. There are going to be times (like when Dubas acquired Petan last year - there's no way Babcock wanted a 5'9 guy for his 4th line - but it's not like Par Lindholm was any good) that they disagree, but I think they're pretty transparent about it.

A good management group communicates. They will disagree. Dubas will try and accommodate Babcock where he can, but Dubas has a vision and a plan, and Pridham's job is to help him accomplish that plan financially by giving him options. At times Dubas will acquire or move out players that Babcock is unhappy about. But Babs will have had a say.

I firmly believe that if you have a hockey team that doesn't operate in a similar fashion it's dysfunctional and someone is going to be fired soon.
- Monkeypunk

I watched a little piece with Elon Musk (starship related interview) and he talked about the importance of having respect and the right balance in your company. I think running an NHL team would be similar. There was a leaked story that said Dubas wanted to fire Bab, but Shanny blocked it. Maybe it’s not true, but if it is (I believe it probably is) then that indicates a fractured relationship. Babs doesn’t (frank) around, he’s swinging his big Saskatchewan d!ck around, waiving it in Kyles face.

He’s (frank)ing doomed, Dubas is a (frank)ing savage behind those square frames, you’ll see.

Because he disagrees and the only answer is Dubas is being mind controlled because they don’t agree with AA.
- Santo_44

I care not, if he disagrees with me or Babs for that matter.

There seems to be a lot of anger in here for a day I thought ( ) Leafs fans would be excited to watch these kids play to their potential.

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 don’t give a flying frank about who Spezza played for 5 years ago.

I don’t give a flying frank about Spezza returning to Toronto.

I don’t give a flying frank about anything other than icing the best lineup.

Spezza looked like disinterested poop in the preseason.

He sits tonight.

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

He was pretty awful last year with Nashville.

I don’t give a flying frank about who Spezza played for 5 years ago.

I don’t give a flying frank about Spezza returning to Toronto.

I don’t give a flying frank about anything other than icing the best lineup.

Spezza looked like disinterested poop in the preseason.

He sits tonight.
- Atomic Wedgie

Yeah but did you see his 2007/8 stats?

76GP 34G 58A 92P

Waking up today is like a kid at Christmas time. No presents, no stocking filled

Did you have a sad childhood or something?

Because he disagrees and the only answer is Dubas is being mind controlled because they don’t agree with AA.
- Santo_44

Irks you, huh?

You literally just can’t ignore someone who doesn’t agree with you.

Fwiw, I think it’s a power move, but that doesn’t mean it’s the wrong move. Maybe he could have started him the first game just out of respect, then at least he could say he gave him a shot.

If Spezza isn't hurt or he didn't do something at practice that pissed the coach off, then he should start. PERIOD! 16 seasons, hometown boy, signed for cheap with the Leafs, he deserves to have his name called on opening night against his former team.

Total douchebag move if you ask me.

And for all ya'll that are standing behind him because Shore kills penalties ....

If the difference between the two is the game breaker....?

We're (frank)ed anyway.

If Spezza isn't hurt or he didn't do something at practice that pissed the coach off, then he should start. PERIOD! 16 seasons, hometown boy, signed for cheap with the Leafs, he deserves to have his name called on opening night against his former team.

Total douchebag move if you ask me.

And for all ya'll that are standing behind him because Shore kills penalties ....

If the difference between the two is the game breaker....?

We're (frank)ed anyway.
- .OHOH.

meh...I don't think they signed him for the feelgood story. They want him to play hockey for them and if he's not good enough he sits

I care not, if he disagrees with me or Babs for that matter.

There seems to be a lot of anger in here for a day I thought ( ) Leafs fans would be excited to watch these kids play to their potential.
- bixll

No anger.

Tons of excitement!

Things I’m most excited to see:

1. Sandin awe the crowd
2. Mikheyev do his best Datsyuk impression
3. Mitch break ankles
4. Matthews snipe 2 the night he becomes captain.