I disagree that Robertson is a tiny little guy, Debrincat (5'7" and 165lbs soaking wet) and Caulfield (5'6" 170lbs) are tiny. Despite their size both players are top six players on their teams. Robertson has an elite shot and playing with top six forwards has a chance to be successful. Robertson is 5'9" and 185 lbs about the size of Brendan Gallagher (or Marcel Dionne - 6th all time NHL scorer - ahead of Lemieux, Yzerman and Sakic) So he is short, but stalky. He's also only 21 years old - won't be 22 until September of next year. If he adds a few pounds of muscle, he will be about the size of Brett Hull.



- winsix

Pretty sure that extra weight the golden Brett had wasn't all muscle.

Pretty sure that extra weight the golden Brett had wasn't all muscle.

- Scabeh

Possibly so, but he had popeye arms like his dad. He didn't start scoring goals steadily until age 23. Bobby Baun who - with clean hip checks broke Serge Savard's leg twice was only 5'9" tall. (Savard is 6'3"). Stan Jonathan - toughest player in the NHL of his era was 5'8" tall.

Possibly so, but he had popeye arms like his dad. He didn't start scoring goals steadily until age 23. Bobby Baun who - with clean hip checks broke Serge Savard's leg twice was only 5'9" tall. (Savard is 6'3"). Stan Jonathan - toughest player in the NHL of his era was 5'8" tall.
- winsix

My dad still speaks about the time Jonathan knocked out Pierre Bouchard.

No one expected it because of how much bigger Bouchard was.

For those of you looking to go to a Leafs game, you may want to look at the prices on Ticketmaster this morning.

There's value to be had - lots going for under face value.
- Atomic Wedgie

Check Sens prices Watching Sens vs Yotes for $43

It should be remembered that the team has played only 3 games. They've won 2 of them, and while they have not looked convincing, the only consistent factor from last year is the top line. Every other line combination has added new elements. The more you decide it's not working and want to mix it up and add in new players, the longer it takes for lines to gel.

I don't think the 4th line has been considerably effective either - the goaltender has been keeping their numbers up - I mean to put it in perspective, David Kampf has an HDCA rate of 22 per 60 minutes of play. His career worst was 12.8 playing in Chicago. Noting that both Aube-Kubel and Aston-Reese are even worse at limiting high danger chances against (25 and 23, respectively) - but none of them have historically been this poor at it.

Chemistry and playing your role takes a bit of time to develop and learn, but the role they will ultimately play is critical to the team's success, so I'd expect Keefe to have some patience. If I were tinkering with that line, I might consider swapping ZAR and Engvall and seeing if the additional mobility changes anything with the line's effectiveness.

With regards to Robertson - I mean, they could use more 5v5 scoring for sure, but one of the 5 5v5 goals we've scored this year was by Malgin - and he's been somewhat effective. His reward is to sit in the press box for it? I don't know. Right now (again only 3 games), one problem with the team is that Marner isn't going yet - the top line has 3 goals against at 5v5 and only 3 goals for. They need to be better, control the play better, and take fewer risky chances. Their opportunities will come - so keep the puck out of our net.

My dad still speaks about the time Jonathan knocked out Pierre Bouchard.

No one expected it because of how much bigger Bouchard was.
- Scabeh

Mike Johnson talking about Robertson said height doesn’t matter, strength does.

It should be remembered that the team has played only 3 games. They've won 2 of them, and while they have not looked convincing, the only consistent factor from last year is the top line. Every other line combination has added new elements. The more you decide it's not working and want to mix it up and add in new players, the longer it takes for lines to gel.

I don't think the 4th line has been considerably effective either - the goaltender has been keeping their numbers up - I mean to put it in perspective, David Kampf has an HDCA rate of 22 per 60 minutes of play. His career worst was 12.8 playing in Chicago. Noting that both Aube-Kubel and Aston-Reese are even worse at limiting high danger chances against (25 and 23, respectively) - but none of them have historically been this poor at it.

Chemistry and playing your role takes a bit of time to develop and learn, but the role they will ultimately play is critical to the team's success, so I'd expect Keefe to have some patience. If I were tinkering with that line, I might consider swapping ZAR and Engvall and seeing if the additional mobility changes anything with the line's effectiveness.

With regards to Robertson - I mean, they could use more 5v5 scoring for sure, but one of the 5 5v5 goals we've scored this year was by Malgin - and he's been somewhat effective. His reward is to sit in the press box for it? I don't know. Right now (again only 3 games), one problem with the team is that Marner isn't going yet - the top line has 3 goals against at 5v5 and only 3 goals for. They need to be better, control the play better, and take fewer risky chances. Their opportunities will come - so keep the puck out of our net.
- Monkeypunk

Agree with most of this. One point on Malgin is that he's a 25 year old that played in Switzerland for the last two seasons because he wasn't good enough to play for the Leafs. Robertson who just turned 21 is one of the top prospects in the organization. Which one would you prefer to put your efforts into developing if you had to choose one?

Check Sens prices Watching Sens vs Yotes for $43
- AdamFrench

We got my parents tickets and a hotel to stay down for there anniversary. Should’ve just sent them to ottawa.

It should be remembered that the team has played only 3 games. They've won 2 of them, and while they have not looked convincing, the only consistent factor from last year is the top line. Every other line combination has added new elements. The more you decide it's not working and want to mix it up and add in new players, the longer it takes for lines to gel.

I don't think the 4th line has been considerably effective either - the goaltender has been keeping their numbers up - I mean to put it in perspective, David Kampf has an HDCA rate of 22 per 60 minutes of play. His career worst was 12.8 playing in Chicago. Noting that both Aube-Kubel and Aston-Reese are even worse at limiting high danger chances against (25 and 23, respectively) - but none of them have historically been this poor at it.

Chemistry and playing your role takes a bit of time to develop and learn, but the role they will ultimately play is critical to the team's success, so I'd expect Keefe to have some patience. If I were tinkering with that line, I might consider swapping ZAR and Engvall and seeing if the additional mobility changes anything with the line's effectiveness.

With regards to Robertson - I mean, they could use more 5v5 scoring for sure, but one of the 5 5v5 goals we've scored this year was by Malgin - and he's been somewhat effective. His reward is to sit in the press box for it? I don't know. Right now (again only 3 games), one problem with the team is that Marner isn't going yet - the top line has 3 goals against at 5v5 and only 3 goals for. They need to be better, control the play better, and take fewer risky chances. Their opportunities will come - so keep the puck out of our net.
- Monkeypunk

I don’t think Malgin has been particularly effective so far. He scored because he was left alone in front of the net but he hasn’t been adding much to the JT/Willie show. Again, everything is early but I like the idea of using the cap flexibility they have now to see how Nickie does in there. It wasn’t clear to me that Robertson lost that spot so I think he deserves a few starts in there.

We got my parents tickets and a hotel to stay down for they’re anniversary. Should’ve just sent them to ottawa.
- bryant

That’s cruel

Would love to go, going to see Jeff Blake.
- winsix

Geoff Black is f'n great, man

Agree with most of this. One point on Malgin is that he's a 25 year old that played in Switzerland for the last two seasons because he wasn't good enough to play for the Leafs. Robertson who just turned 21 is one of the top prospects in the organization. Which one would you prefer to put your efforts into developing if you had to choose one?
- winsix

With regards to both yours and CC's point - I am not adverse to seeing what Robertson brings to the table, obviously. But Robertson is more of a pure shooter than a puck carrier, defender or play maker. He is not going to bring any defensive acumen to that line, in my opinion.

Malgin might be 25, but Mikheyev was 25 when he joined the Leafs after having a good 24 year old season and previously going undrafted. Michael Bunting was 26 last year when he broke out. Obviously you usually know what you have in a player by this age, so typically if they haven't delivered by 25, they're not going to, so your point is well taken - but it doesn't preclude maturity from being a factor in their game. I haven't seen a ton from Malgin, but he's a decent puck carrier and a decent puck distributor - and that line has had a 55.6 xG% and hasn't been scored on which is good.

But I agree that if Robertson is making this team, they need to figure out where he plays and role he plays.

If I am shifting a player out of our lineup right now, the guy I'm least impressed by after just three games is Aube-Kubel. Half the time I'm watching a forward out of position or losing a battle or making a poor decision I think, "Who the hell is 96?"

With regards to both yours and CC's point - I am not adverse to seeing what Robertson brings to the table, obviously. But Robertson is more of a pure shooter than a puck carrier, defender or play maker. He is not going to bring any defensive acumen to that line, in my opinion.

Malgin might be 25, but Mikheyev was 25 when he joined the Leafs after having a good 24 year old season and previously going undrafted. Michael Bunting was 26 last year when he broke out. Obviously you usually know what you have in a player by this age, so typically if they haven't delivered by 25, they're not going to, so your point is well taken - but it doesn't preclude maturity from being a factor in their game. I haven't seen a ton from Malgin, but he's a decent puck carrier and a decent puck distributor - and that line has had a 55.6 xG% and hasn't been scored on which is good.

But I agree that if Robertson is making this team, they need to figure out where he plays and role he plays.

If I am shifting a player out of our lineup right now, the guy I'm least impressed by after just three games is Aube-Kubel. Half the time I'm watching a forward out of position or losing a battle or making a poor decision I think, "Who the hell is 96?"
- Monkeypunk

Cube-Hubble

Cube-Hubble
- 21peter

Ineffective in the shootout, because he always telescopes his moves.

Ineffective in the shootout, because he always telescopes his moves.
- Atomic Wedgie

With regards to both yours and CC's point - I am not adverse to seeing what Robertson brings to the table, obviously. But Robertson is more of a pure shooter than a puck carrier, defender or play maker. He is not going to bring any defensive acumen to that line, in my opinion.

Malgin might be 25, but Mikheyev was 25 when he joined the Leafs after having a good 24 year old season and previously going undrafted. Michael Bunting was 26 last year when he broke out. Obviously you usually know what you have in a player by this age, so typically if they haven't delivered by 25, they're not going to, so your point is well taken - but it doesn't preclude maturity from being a factor in their game. I haven't seen a ton from Malgin, but he's a decent puck carrier and a decent puck distributor - and that line has had a 55.6 xG% and hasn't been scored on which is good.

But I agree that if Robertson is making this team, they need to figure out where he plays and role he plays.

If I am shifting a player out of our lineup right now, the guy I'm least impressed by after just three games is Aube-Kubel. Half the time I'm watching a forward out of position or losing a battle or making a poor decision I think, "Who the hell is 96?"
- Monkeypunk

NAK the Knocker

Same lineup except Kallgren starting

Same lineup except Kallgren starting
- Canada Cup

Is Nylander in?

It was roomered he wasn't in tonight - fighting a cold or something.

Same lineup except Kallgren starting
- Canada Cup

Weird choice with the delay for the next game...but I guess gives him the best chance to win.

Same lineup except Kallgren starting
- Canada Cup

Thought Sammy would get 8 of the next 10.

Guess Kallgren could use the confidence putting up a decent game(hopefully) against the worst team in the NHL.

Is Nylander in?

It was roomered he wasn't in tonight - fighting a cold or something.
- Atomic Wedgie

Too sick to practice but he was cleared to play. Arizona makes sense for Kalgren because of high levels of suckage

With regards to both yours and CC's point - I am not adverse to seeing what Robertson brings to the table, obviously. But Robertson is more of a pure shooter than a puck carrier, defender or play maker. He is not going to bring any defensive acumen to that line, in my opinion.

Malgin might be 25, but Mikheyev was 25 when he joined the Leafs after having a good 24 year old season and previously going undrafted. Michael Bunting was 26 last year when he broke out. Obviously you usually know what you have in a player by this age, so typically if they haven't delivered by 25, they're not going to, so your point is well taken - but it doesn't preclude maturity from being a factor in their game. I haven't seen a ton from Malgin, but he's a decent puck carrier and a decent puck distributor - and that line has had a 55.6 xG% and hasn't been scored on which is good.

But I agree that if Robertson is making this team, they need to figure out where he plays and role he plays.

If I am shifting a player out of our lineup right now, the guy I'm least impressed by after just three games is Aube-Kubel. Half the time I'm watching a forward out of position or losing a battle or making a poor decision I think, "Who the hell is 96?"
- Monkeypunk

Also

Keefe - top six getting less ice time cause I trust bottom six more this year

Also

Keefe - top six getting less ice time cause I trust bottom six more this year
- Canada Cup

LEafS HaTeRz:

"Keefe says he doesn't trust his top six!"

Also

Keefe - top six getting less ice time cause I trust bottom six more this year
- Canada Cup

And he's being very specific (so far) in his use of his lines.

It's like an airline that makes two flights per day. One to Mexico and one to Winnipeg. The crew that goes to Mexico ..I expect a nice tan and some tequila to be the outcome. The crew that goes to Winnipeg ..I expect to return with bug bites and depression.

Same lineup except Kallgren starting
- Canada Cup

If he's going to be with the team for 4 weeks or so might as well get him in some games.