Preseason, how's your team doing?

Hapday · Post by **Hapday** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 12:35 pm

I know it's only preseaon, but any rookies on your team that have been impressive?

On the Leafs I have been really impressed with all of their prospects so far. It's too bad Quinn will never play them and will send them to the Marlies to save roster spots in case Wendel Clark and Todd Gill decide to make comebacks.

Wellwood, Coliacovo, Steen, Stajan, White, and even Tellqvist have all been impressive so far. I know it's only preseason, but after watching their prospects play I am more confident then ever that the Leafs will make the playoffs.

More importantly Belfour seems to have recovered from his back surgery. Time will tell if his back can take the grind of playing 50-60 games this year. If it does, the Leafs will really be in good shape.

AcidQueen · Post by **AcidQueen** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 4:19 pm

So far, so good.

Of course, it IS only preseason--so I'll reserve any enthusiasm until after I see a few games of the regular season.

fix · Post by **fix** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 12:41 am

Hapday wrote:I know it's only preseaon, but any rookies on your team that have been impressive?

On the Leafs I have been really impressed with all of their prospects so far. It's too bad Quinn will never play them and will send them to the Marlies to save roster spots in case Wendel Clark and Todd Gill decide to make comebacks.

Wellwood, Coliacovo, Steen, Stajan, White, and even Tellqvist have all been impressive so far. I know it's only preseason, but after watching their prospects play I am more confident then ever that the Leafs will make the playoffs.

More importantly Belfour seems to have recovered from his back surgery. Time will tell if his back can take the grind of playing 50-60 games this year. If it does, the Leafs will really be in good shape.

Um Hap.. just which Leaf games have you been watching?

Coli really doesn't belong on that list. If anything he's played himself off the Leafs roster and secured himself a spot on the Marlies to start the season. Being injured hasn't helped his cause.
Wellwood and Stajan (and Stajan's not exactly a rookie) are the top two rookie candidates up front to make the team. Wozniewski and possibly White on defence. Steen's looking really good but like Kronwall, a year in the AHL will do him well.

Stumpy and Marchment have both shown they deserve to make the team.
Marchment especially.
Now if only JF Jr would do the right thing and get rid of Berg, there'd be room for a rookie to step up.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:14 pm

From Wings' camp...

With Osgood out for the start of the season with a groin injury, Jim Howard has turned some heads with his play during the preseason. He's likely going to be the backup for Legace going into the season.

The veterans haven't been much of a concern...we know what they can do. The focus has been on some of the young players and free agent invitees. Kronwall has been very impressive on defense...should be a top 4 guy this year. Rivers, Lilja and Delmore are in competition for the last two defense spots on the team.

Up front, the battle has been for the 3rd and 4th line spots. Cleary and Murray have played well as camp invitees...one of those two could make the squad. A big battle has been between Franzen, Mowers, and Filppula. I'd say 17 or 18 spots are locked up...the 6th and 7th defensemen and the last 3 or 4 forward spots are still up for grabs.

On the injury front, Osgood is banged up, like I mentioned. Zetterberg had a groin injury as well but nothing too serious. The rest of the team is in decent shape from a health standpoint.

Datsyuk should be back with the team either for tonight's game or early next week...haven't seen any latest reports on his status.

Cross Traffic · Post by **Cross Traffic** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 3:26 pm

What is with the odd lettering on the Wings jerseys? They look like 50 cent iron ons.

Smoked Meat · Post by **Smoked Meat** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:31 am

I tend to be extremely superstitious when it comes to preseason. Over the years I've noticed the Habs usually do great during regular season/playoffs when they suck in preseason and suck in regular season/playoffs when they do great in preseason. So far, the Habs have been doing so so. I've watched a few games and I'm still a bit puzzled with all the changes, new rules and the huge amounts of penalties distributed each game.

However, great surprises have come out. The Habs latest draft choices have proven to be exceptionnal. As a matter of fact, Guillaume Latrendresse, the LJMHQ's best kept secret thanks to Sidney Crosby, might even make the team this year. As for Carey Price, I think it's safe to say Theo's years are counted. I'm confident the Habs will make the playoffs this year and the future looks bright.

p.s. Leaf Nation, I don't know about you guys but me thinks Racine would be a good option for backup goalie.

Hapday · Post by **Hapday** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:27 pm

Smoked Meat wrote:
p.s. Leaf Nation, I don't know about you guys but me thinks Racine would be a good option for backup goalie.

After seeing Tellqvist shit the bed last night against the Senators, I agree. Nice to see all he had to do was let in six goals, and then he was rock solid in nets... :roll:

I hope gives Racine a full game in the preseason.

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:32 pm

Cross Traffic wrote:What is with the odd lettering on the Wings jerseys? They look like 50 cent iron ons.

I know, they're lame. It's what they do in the preseason. The way they usually do their lettering is in that arc shape. They don't use nameplates and they just use the generic letters for preseason. They'll use their traditional lettering when the season starts. You'd think for one of the richest teams in the league, they can afford to do their fancy lettering all the time but I guess not.

After the latest round of cut, the roster is down to 34 guys...

Forwards (19) — x-Daniel Cleary, Kris Draper, Matt Ellis, Valtteri Filppula, Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom, Jiri Hudler, x-Dan LaCouture, Robert Lang, Donald MacLean, Kirk Maltby, Kent McDonell, Mark Mowers, x-Rem Murray, Brendan Shanahan, x-Blake Sloan, Jason Williams, Steve Yzerman, Henrik Zetterberg.

Defensemen (11) — Chris Chelios, Andy Delmore, Jiri Fischer, Niklas Kronwall, Brett Lebda, Nicklas Lidstrom, Andreas Lilja, Kyle Quincey, +-Travis Richards, Jamie Rivers, Mathieu Schneider.

Goaltenders (4) — Jimmy Howard, Manny Legace, Joey MacDonald, Chris Osgood.

x — free agent; +- Griffins contract

Hapday · Post by **Hapday** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 11:22 pm

Good to see the hockey hacks in Ottawa and elsewhere in full pre-season mode. The Ottawa Senators are going to win the Stanley Cup and the Toronto Maple Leafs won't make the playoffs. Haven't heard that for the last five years or anything... :roll:

fix · Post by **fix** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:31 am

Hapday wrote:
Smoked Meat wrote:
p.s. Leaf Nation, I don't know about you guys but me thinks Racine would be a good option for backup goalie.
After seeing Tellqvist shit the bed last night against the Senators, I agree. Nice to see all he had to do was let in six goals, and then he was rock solid in nets... :roll:

I hope gives Racine a full game in the preseason.

My guess, is that he'll split time with Belfour against Buffalo and then have the opportunity to play a whole game in the first of the home and home series against Detroit this weekend.

Speculation here is that Marchment's going to be the 7th defenceman to start the season with Coli joining White and Brown to with the Marlies to start the season.

Wellwood's going to edge someone out of a spot.. he's almost a lock to make the roster.

Hapday · Post by **Hapday** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:53 am

Otis wrote:
Hapday wrote:
Smoked Meat wrote:
p.s. Leaf Nation, I don't know about you guys but me thinks Racine would be a good option for backup goalie.
After seeing Tellqvist shit the bed last night against the Senators, I agree. Nice to see all he had to do was let in six goals, and then he was rock solid in nets... :roll:

I hope gives Racine a full game in the preseason.
My guess, is that he'll split time with Belfour against Buffalo and then have the opportunity to play a whole game in the first of the home and home series against Detroit this weekend.

Speculation here is that Marchment's going to be the 7th defenceman to start the season with Coli joining White and Brown to with the Marlies to start the season.

Wellwood's going to edge someone out of a spot.. he's almost a lock to make the roster.

I got a chance to see Coli play against Ottawa and he didn't impress me. He isn't very good in his own end. He could use a year with Paul Maurice and and the Marlies.

Marchment as the Leafs seventh? I guess I could see that. I hope this means (prays to God) that Belak isn't going to play defense. I was mad at Quinn for not even giving Bell a shot. I would have liked to see him in at least one game.

Hopefully the guy Wellwood beats out is Antropov. :twisted: Steen will obviously make the squad too.

fix · Post by **fix** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:14 pm

Hapday wrote:
Otis wrote:
Hapday wrote: After seeing Tellqvist shit the bed last night against the Senators, I agree. Nice to see all he had to do was let in six goals, and then he was rock solid in nets... :roll:

I hope gives Racine a full game in the preseason.
My guess, is that he'll split time with Belfour against Buffalo and then have the opportunity to play a whole game in the first of the home and home series against Detroit this weekend.

Speculation here is that Marchment's going to be the 7th defenceman to start the season with Coli joining White and Brown to with the Marlies to start the season.

Wellwood's going to edge someone out of a spot.. he's almost a lock to make the roster.
I got a chance to see Coli play against Ottawa and he didn't impress me. He isn't very good in his own end. He could use a year with Paul Maurice and and the Marlies.

Marchment as the Leafs seventh? I guess I could see that. I hope this means (prays to God) that Belak isn't going to play defense. I was mad at Quinn for not even giving Bell a shot. I would have liked to see him in at least one game.

Hopefully the guy Wellwood beats out is Antropov. :twisted: Steen will obviously make the squad too.

I wouldn't have any problem with Steen making the squad but at the same time, I think a year in the AHL would help him. If he does make it, it will be at Stumpy's expense.

LW Centre RW
Eric Lindros Mats Sundin Mariusz Czerkawski
Darcy Tucker Jason Allison Jeff O'Neill
Matt Stajan Nick Atropov Alex Ponikarovsky
Steve Thomas Kyle Wellwood Tie Domi

LD l RD
Bryan McCabe Alexander Khavanov
Ken Klee Tomas Kaberle
Aki Berg Wade Belak

Goal
Belfour
Racine

Reserves
Brian Marchment
Chad Kilger

First Call Ups
Alexander Steen F
Clark Wilm F
Brad Brown D
Carlo Colaiacovo D
Tellqvist G

Hapday · Post by **Hapday** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:38 pm

Otis wrote:
LW Centre RW
Eric Lindros Mats Sundin Mariusz Czerkawski
Darcy Tucker Jason Allison Jeff O'Neill
Matt Stajan Nick Atropov Alex Ponikarovsky
Steve Thomas Kyle Wellwood Tie Domi

Personally, I would like to see Alex Steen replace Antropov as the team's third line centre. He plays great at both ends of teh ice, and I don't really think he needs a year with the Marlies. I'm sure it couldn't hurt, but Antropov needs to work on a lot more than Steen. For some reason Quinn loves Antropov.

What about Nathan Perrott? You don't think he'll make the team?

Ponikarovsky is a left winger and Steve Thomas is RW. Just sayn'.

Otis wrote:
LD l RD
Bryan McCabe Alexander Khavanov
Ken Klee Tomas Kaberle
Aki Berg Wade Belak

Good God no. I REALLY hope Belak sees more time in the press box than on the ice. In this case I would definately rather see Marchment as the Leafs seventh defensemen instead of Belak. How long is Pilar going to be out for?

I pretty much agree with everything else.

fix · Post by **fix** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:44 pm

Hapday wrote:
Otis wrote:
LW Centre RW
Eric Lindros Mats Sundin Mariusz Czerkawski
Darcy Tucker Jason Allison Jeff O'Neill
Matt Stajan Nick Atropov Alex Ponikarovsky
Steve Thomas Kyle Wellwood Tie Domi

Personally, I would like to see Alex Steen replace Antropov as the team's third line centre. He plays great at both ends of teh ice, and I don't really think he needs a year with the Marlies. I'm sure it couldn't hurt, but Antropov needs to work on a lot more than Steen. For some reason Quinn loves Antropov.

What about Nathan Perrott? You don't think he'll make the team?

Ponikarovsky is a left winger and Steve Thomas is RW. Just sayn'.

Otis wrote:
LD l RD
Bryan McCabe Alexander Khavanov
Ken Klee Tomas Kaberle
Aki Berg Wade Belak
Good God no. I REALLY hope Belak sees more time in the press box than on the ice. In this case I would definately rather see Marchment as the Leafs seventh defensemen instead of Belak. How long is Pilar going to be out for?

I pretty much agree with everything else.

I won't disagree with you on either Belak or Antropov. Pilar's gone until at least Christmas before he can begin skating. Perrot's not done enough to warrant a spot on the team. Besides, he has a 2-way contract.

d-townmike · Post by **d-townmike** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:25 am

Avs are at 2-1, errr 2-0-0-1, errr 2 wins and one Overtime Loss, how about that. Sounds like there will be no ties this season which I think is great, IMO.

Even without Forsberg and Foote, we're doing just fine so far. Hell, we won the cup in '01 without him.

What really sucks is that I have yet to see a game on TV. In fact, the entire region has yet to see an Avalanche preseason game thanks to our local network that carries the Avs, Altitude. They signed on shortly after the end of the '04 season and then the lockout and they have yet to air an Avs game and are absolutely dying to do so. Just not in preseason for some strange and really stupid reason.

Damn corporates making things more difficult than what they should be.

:?

At least they're airing all but like 4 regular season games.

Cross Traffic · Post by **Cross Traffic** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:13 am

Been picking up selected preseason games on Sports pack on Directv, Detroit/Avs, Columbus/Detroit, NYI/NYR, NYR/Boston. Recorded NYR/NJD on the Tivo to watch later tonight.

LA and Anaheim have no preseason games on tv either.

fix · Post by **fix** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 12:24 am

So much for Racine backing up Belfour.. apparently in spite of the fact he outplayed Tellvquist, he got sent down to the Marlies.

And Marchment's rumoured release or not being offered a contract may well be a moot point anyways. From what I know he spent the day in hospital and is facing the possibility of having some surgery performed.

Both moves don't bode well for the Leafs outlook this season.
I have no faith in Tellvquist and Brian playing a regular shift would have been an improvement over Berg or Belak.

Hapday · Post by **Hapday** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 12:50 am

Otis wrote:So much for Racine backing up Belfour.. apparently in spite of the fact he outplayed Tellvquist, he got sent down to the Marlies.

:brad: :brad: :brad:

Pat Quinn is a useless tool. At least let Racine play a complete game against this preseason before sending him down.

fix · Post by **fix** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 2:15 am

Hapday wrote:
Otis wrote:So much for Racine backing up Belfour.. apparently in spite of the fact he outplayed Tellvquist, he got sent down to the Marlies.
:brad: :brad: :brad:

Pat Quinn is a useless tool. At least let Racine play a complete game against this preseason before sending him down.

As much as I think that Racine was robbed, the truth of the matter is that it probably will be better off for his overall development to be the number one goalie for the Marlies than sit on the bench here and only play 15-20 games if Belfour stays healthy.
Hap, this isn't about Quinn, this is Ferguson pulling the strings.
Tellvquist isn't on a 2 way contract... whereas Racine is.

Hapday · Post by **Hapday** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 2:30 am

Otis wrote: Tellvquist isn't on a 2 way contract... whereas Racine is.

I didn't know that. I guess it is better to see what he can do over an entire season with the Marlies. I still would have liked to see him in at least one more game.

fix · Post by **fix** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 2:39 am

Hapday wrote:
Otis wrote: Tellvquist isn't on a 2 way contract... whereas Racine is.
I didn't know that. I guess it is better to see what he can do over an entire season with the Marlies. I still would have liked to see him in at least one more game.

You and me both.

If nothing else, this training camp has increased his value to the franchise considering that he came into it ranked 4th on the goaltending depth chart.

T1B

Preseason, how's your team doing?

Preseason, how's your team doing?

Re: Preseason, how's your team doing?