Lineup Your Lineups WTF its September? Edition

[leafman101]

JVR-Kadri-Komarov
Michalek-Matthews-Nylander
Soshnikov-Bozak-Marner
Martin-Laich-Brown
Hyman

Marincin-Rielly
Gardiner-Zaitsev
Hunwick-Carrick
Corrado-Polak

Andersen
Enroth

 

[zeke]

VanRiemsdyk - Kadri - Marner
Komarov - Matthews - Nylander
Michalek - Bozak - Leivo
Martin - Laich - Greening
(Holland - Froese - Rychel)


Rielly - Zaitsev
Gardiner - Carrick
Marincin - Polak
(Hunwick - Corrado)

 

[LeafGm]

Leo Komarov - Nazem Kadri - Nikita Soshnikov
James van Riemsdyk - Tyler Bozak - Mitch Marner
Matt Martin - Auston Matthews - William Nylander
Milan Michalek - Brooks Laich - Connor Brown
(Josh Leivo - Byron Froese)

Morgan Rielly - Nikita Zaitsev
Jake Gardiner - Connor Carrick
Martin Marincin - Roman Polak
(Frank Corrado)

Frederik Andersen
Jhonas Enroth

A few notes:

• Lupul & Greening get buried, or otherwise disappear. Though I wouldn't be surprised if Greening got a call-up at some point. If Komarov, Martin or Laich get injured, I think he'll be high up on Babcock's list as a replacement.
  
  
• Holland gets waived too, because I think Babcock likes Froese better as our depth center, and Holland doesn't beat out any of the wingers I've got listed for a roster spot.
  
  
• Matt Martin's not really my first (or second...or third) choice for Auston Matthews' left-winger, but if Babcock is telling the truth about Nylander playing on Matthews' wing, then I'd be very surprised if Martin's not on that line. That's what he's here for---to protect the young golden children, and have them bang in a few pucks off him along the way.
  
  
• With Marner, Nylander & Matthews all pushing their way onto the team, and vets like Michalek, Martin & Laich taking up space on the roster, one of Connor Brown, Zach Hyman, Nikita Soshnikov or Josh Leivo will have to go to the Marlies.
  
  And honestly, I can't really make up my mind which one. Based purely on merit and ability, Leivo seems the most likely, but he's also the only one that isn't waiver exempt. Hyman's the oldest, but he also has the least professional experience out of that group. So, while training camp might help make this decision, just pick a name out of a hat at this point, I guess.

 

[zeke]

are you sure Leivo is waiver exempt?

 

[zeke]

W Leivo (23): 21gms, 6gls, 6pts, 10:19 (23gls/23pts) ---------- AHL '16: 51gms, 17gls, 48pts (27gls/77pts)
W Brown (22): 7gms, 1gls, 6pts, 14:58 (12gls/70pts) ---------- AHL '16: 34gms, 11gls, 29pts (27gls/70pts)
W Leipsic (22): 6gms, 1gls, 3pts, 14:14 (14gls/41pts) --------- AHL '16: 65gms, 20gls, 54pts (25gls/68pts)
W Soshnikov (23): 11gms, 2gls, 5pts, 15:37 (15gls/37pts) ----- AHL '16: 52gms, 18gls, 28pts (28gls, 44pts)
W Rychel (22): 37gms, 2gls, 12pts, 9:40 (4gls/27pts) --------- AHL '16: 37gms, 6gls, 27pts (13gls/60pts)

There's probably only 1 or 2 spots for these guys - which ones have to go on waivers before being sent down?

 

[Preston_Mizzi]

W Leivo (23): 21gms, 6gls, 6pts, 10:19 (23gls/23pts) ---------- AHL '16: 51gms, 17gls, 48pts (27gls/77pts)
W Brown (22): 7gms, 1gls, 6pts, 14:58 (12gls/70pts) ---------- AHL '16: 34gms, 11gls, 29pts (27gls/70pts)
W Leipsic (22): 6gms, 1gls, 3pts, 14:14 (14gls/41pts) --------- AHL '16: 65gms, 20gls, 54pts (25gls/68pts)
W Soshnikov (23): 11gms, 2gls, 5pts, 15:37 (15gls/37pts) ----- AHL '16: 52gms, 18gls, 28pts (28gls, 44pts)
W Rychel (22): 37gms, 2gls, 12pts, 9:40 (4gls/27pts) --------- AHL '16: 37gms, 6gls, 27pts (13gls/60pts)

There's probably only 1 or 2 spots for these guys - which ones have to go on waivers before being sent down?

I think only Leivo has to clear waivers out of that group. Perhaps Leipsic too? But nah, I think just Leivo.

 

[zeke]

Oh I guess I should include these guys with them:

C Froese (25): 56gms, 2gls, 5pts, 12:38 (3gls/7pts) ----------- AHL '16: 4gms, 3gls, 3pts (62gls/62pts)
W Holland (25): 127gms, 20gls, 52pts, 14:36 (13gls/34pts) ---- AHL '16: ---
W Hyman (24): 16gms, 4gls, 6pts, 15:41 (21gls/31pts) -------- AHL '16: 59gms, 15gls, 37pts (21gls, 51pts)

are these guys waiver exempt?

 

[Preston_Mizzi]

Oh I guess I should include these guys with them:

C Froese (25): 56gms, 2gls, 5pts, 12:38 (3gls/7pts) ----------- AHL '16: 4gms, 3gls, 3pts (62gls/62pts)
W Holland (25): 127gms, 20gls, 52pts, 14:36 (13gls/34pts) ---- AHL '16: ---
W Hyman (24): 16gms, 4gls, 6pts, 15:41 (21gls/31pts) -------- AHL '16: 59gms, 15gls, 37pts (21gls, 51pts)

are these guys waiver exempt?

I know Froese and Holland would have to clear. No idea about Hyman though.

EDIT: Okay, yeah.

Waiver exempt:

Leipsic
Hyman
Sosh
Brown
Rychel

Must clear:

Froese
Holland
Leivo

 

[oscarheyman]

I never got around to asking this but how did Frank Corrado look for you guys this past season?

In his last year as a Canucks - he looked nothing like the promising player the year before. It was only after he was sent adrift by our GM Jethro Bodine that it was revealed he was playing thru an injury [broken hand & separated shoulder] in our AHL affiliate's post-season - which unsurprisingly caused him to be far than 100% in the Canucks training camp a short time later. That's the kind of treatment you get from this management group for 'playing thru the pain' - being put on waivers.

 

[LeafGm]

are you sure Leivo is waiver exempt?

Sorry, I missed a word. I meant to write that Leivo's the only one that isn't waiver exempt in that group, as Brown, Hyman & Soshnikov can all be sent down without waivers (I was honestly kind of surprised that Hyman's waiver-exempt, considering his age). Leipsic & Rychel are also waiver-exempt until next season.

And FYI zeke, the best place to check out a player's waiver status is this waiver calculator on CapFriendly.com.

 

[zeke]

So Martin is obviously a keeper and not going anywhere, for better or worse.

Michalek and Laich aren't long for here but they won't be dumped without pumping them first, so they're not going anywhere to start. Does Greening get pump and dumped as well? He played well enough last year that it's probably worth it, and this FO doesn't seem to like to waste assets.

If we're keeping all three there's not much room for the younger guys to start the year at least. Obviously Matthews/Nylander/Marner are in of course.

But that leaves us with only 2 or 3 slots (depending on whether we carry 13 or 14 forwards) for all these guys.....and those are likely bottom line / extra forward slots where we probably don't want to be keeping kids with upside in.

C Froese (25): 56gms, 2gls, 5pts, 12:38 (3gls/7pts) ----------- AHL '16: 4gms, 3gls, 3pts (62gls/62pts)
W Holland (25): 127gms, 20gls, 52pts, 14:36 (13gls/34pts) ---- AHL '16: ---
W Hyman (24): 16gms, 4gls, 6pts, 15:41 (21gls/31pts) -------- AHL '16: 59gms, 15gls, 37pts (21gls, 51pts)
W Leivo (23): 21gms, 6gls, 6pts, 10:19 (23gls/23pts) ---------- AHL '16: 51gms, 17gls, 48pts (27gls/77pts)
W Brown (22): 7gms, 1gls, 6pts, 14:58 (12gls/70pts) ---------- AHL '16: 34gms, 11gls, 29pts (27gls/70pts)
W Leipsic (22): 6gms, 1gls, 3pts, 14:14 (14gls/41pts) --------- AHL '16: 65gms, 20gls, 54pts (25gls/68pts)
W Soshnikov (23): 11gms, 2gls, 5pts, 15:37 (15gls/37pts) ----- AHL '16: 52gms, 18gls, 28pts (28gls, 44pts)
W Rychel (22): 37gms, 2gls, 12pts, 9:40 (4gls/27pts) --------- AHL '16: 37gms, 6gls, 27pts (13gls/60pts)

Holland and Leivo I guess both have to clear waivers, and were just re-signed, so I don't see how they don't make the team.

Froese stinks so it doesn't really matter if he stays or goes - but he's the kind of guy you don't mind keeping as a 14th forward, given he's not really a prospect.


So if I had to guess, all of Hyman, Sosh, Rychel, Brown, Leipsic are with the marlies to start the year.

And that's not even counting Lupul.

 

[Preston_Mizzi]

So Martin is obviously a keeper and not going anywhere, for better or worse.

Michalek and Laich aren't long for here but they won't be dumped without pumping them first, so they're not going anywhere to start. Does Greening get pump and dumped as well? He played well enough last year that it's probably worth it, and this FO doesn't seem to like to waste assets.

If we're keeping all three there's not much room for the younger guys to start the year at least. Obviously Matthews/Nylander/Marner are in of course.

But that leaves us with only 2 or 3 slots (depending on whether we carry 13 or 14 forwards) for all these guys.....and those are likely bottom line / extra forward slots where we probably don't want to be keeping kids with upside in.

C Froese (25): 56gms, 2gls, 5pts, 12:38 (3gls/7pts) ----------- AHL '16: 4gms, 3gls, 3pts (62gls/62pts)
W Holland (25): 127gms, 20gls, 52pts, 14:36 (13gls/34pts) ---- AHL '16: ---
W Hyman (24): 16gms, 4gls, 6pts, 15:41 (21gls/31pts) -------- AHL '16: 59gms, 15gls, 37pts (21gls, 51pts)
W Leivo (23): 21gms, 6gls, 6pts, 10:19 (23gls/23pts) ---------- AHL '16: 51gms, 17gls, 48pts (27gls/77pts)
W Brown (22): 7gms, 1gls, 6pts, 14:58 (12gls/70pts) ---------- AHL '16: 34gms, 11gls, 29pts (27gls/70pts)
W Leipsic (22): 6gms, 1gls, 3pts, 14:14 (14gls/41pts) --------- AHL '16: 65gms, 20gls, 54pts (25gls/68pts)
W Soshnikov (23): 11gms, 2gls, 5pts, 15:37 (15gls/37pts) ----- AHL '16: 52gms, 18gls, 28pts (28gls, 44pts)
W Rychel (22): 37gms, 2gls, 12pts, 9:40 (4gls/27pts) --------- AHL '16: 37gms, 6gls, 27pts (13gls/60pts)

Holland and Leivo I guess both have to clear waivers, and were just re-signed, so I don't see how they don't make the team.

Froese stinks so it doesn't really matter if he stays or goes - but he's the kind of guy you don't mind keeping as a 14th forward, given he's not really a prospect.


So if I had to guess, all of Hyman, Sosh, Rychel, Brown, Leipsic are with the marlies to start the year.

And that's not even counting Lupul.

There will be injuries though. There always are.

 

[zeke]

I never got around to asking this but how did Frank Corrado look for you guys this past season?

In his last year as a Canucks - he looked nothing like the promising player the year before. It was only after he was sent adrift by our GM Jethro Bodine that it was revealed he was playing thru an injury [broken hand & separated shoulder] in our AHL affiliate's post-season - which unsurprisingly caused him to be far than 100% in the Canucks training camp a short time later.

He reminds me quite a bit of Colaiacovo, but not as good. But the same kinda skilled kinda gritty but loosey goosey sloppy all around play.

I don't hate him but I don't think he's a guy to count on going forward.

 

[Preston_Mizzi]

He reminds me quite a bit of Colaiacovo, but not as good. But the same kinda skilled kinda gritty but loosey goosey sloppy all around play.

I don't hate him but I don't think he's a guy to count on going forward.

Great possession player in sheltered minutes last year. As a bottom pair guy, he's kind of exactly what I like in a player. Not to mention, he'll always be a cheap contract because of his limited offensive ability. Very similar to a guy like Marincin in that way (albeit a much worse player).

Sloppy, ugly, and not very good, but he's a good 5/6. Much better than Polak. I won't shed a tear if they lose him but if they lose him at the expense of Polak/Hunwick I'll be a bit annoyed.

 

[leafman101]

Last year Babcock said Brown could've made the team out of camp but they wanted to be patient with him, then he scored 6 points in 7 games on his callup. If he has a good camp IMO he is on the team. Babcock also loved Hyman and Soshnikov.

Also I don't think Leivo and Holland are set in stone just because they have NHL deals. Maybe someone claims them on waivers, but who cares. No one claimed Holland this summer.

Guys like Rychel and Leipsic will be hard pressed to earn a spot.

 

[Preston_Mizzi]

Leivo is a guy with strong underlying numbers. It's a shame they have a bunch of garbage on the team, really. He's the type of guy that contending teams need on their 3rd/4th lines on cheap deals. His skating is kind of shit, but I do think he is an NHL player. Definitely a bottom 6er and possibly even a 4th liner, but he's an NHL player.

Holland I believe has some great shot suppression numbers but his offensive game hasn't really gone so well. Once again, a type to love if you have on your 4th line. They have a bunch of guys in the organization on cheap contracts that can fill that role beautifully. I guess it isn't the worst thing in the world to lose those guys, but it's a shame to get nothing in return.

I guess the difference is, with Holland you kind of know what he is already. Leivo may still have an outside shot at being somewhat better. Unlikely, but there may be more risk in losing him. Either way, they're both NHL caliber players IMO.

 

[zeke]

I wouldn't mind in the least seeing Brown even on a top line with JVR and Kadri. I love the kid. (and don't really see why people like sosh better, tbh).

But man the roster is tight. I'd love to clear Michalek, Laich, Greening (and Martin and Lupul and Bozak of course) right off the roster.


VanRiemsdyk - Matthews - Brown
Komarov - Nylander - Leivo
Soshnikov - Kadri - Marner
Holland - Froese - Leipsic
(Hyman - Rychel)

 

[Preston_Mizzi]

I wouldn't mind in the least seeing Brown even on a top line with JVR and Kadri. I love the kid. (and don't really see why people like sosh better, tbh).

But man the roster is tight. I'd love to clear Michalek, Laich, Greening (and Martin and Lupul and Bozak of course) right off the roster.


VanRiemsdyk - Matthews - Brown
Komarov - Nylander - Leivo
Soshnikov - Kadri - Marner
Holland - Froese - Leipsic
(Hyman - Rychel)

They did make a great deal getting Laich for a legit top 4 prospect in Carrick, and a decent deal for Phaneuf, but man it has caused an unfortunate logjam. Out of the useless old guys, I do think Michalek is actually a good player and could net a decent return in a trade (assuming this is his last year), plus he'll be hurt half the year I'm sure. Signing Martin amplified the logjam too and it may cost them Leivo or Holland. Again, not a huge piece to lose but they are both NHL players, and fairly young, which sucks when you consider they're gone because of the Laich's and Greening's. I do think they'll eventually trade a bunch of their mediocre future 3rd/4th line prospects for a top 6 forward, or at least try to - even if it's for picks. If not, they'll end up losing a handful of them. There are just too many and it's becoming a problem because soon they'll have to pick between more than just Holland and Leivo, and they better not be wrong...

 

[zeke]

I just hope that this is the end of these types of guys here. Pump and dump these guys if you must but please don't go out and replace them with more shitty vets again next year.

 

[LeafGm]

Last year Babcock said Brown could've made the team out of camp but they wanted to be patient with him, then he scored 6 points in 7 games on his callup. If he has a good camp IMO he is on the team. Babcock also loved Hyman and Soshnikov.

Also I don't think Leivo and Holland are set in stone just because they have NHL deals. Maybe someone claims them on waivers, but who cares. No one claimed Holland this summer.

Outside of Matthews, Marner & Nylander, I think Brown's the best prospect we've got. I'd be very surprised if, barring injury, he didn't make the team.

And while I don't really care about losing Holland on waivers, I'd prefer to keep Leivo. But I agree it's not a huge deal, with the depth of prospects in the organization. Right after training camp is the best time to sneak a player through waivers too. The Leafs may have claimed Corrado then last year, but generally teams already have full rosters and want to give their own guys a shot instead of some other team's unproven, mid-tier prospect.

Guys like Rychel and Leipsic will be hard pressed to earn a spot.

Rychel needs more time in the AHL anyway. He had an OK, but not great regular season there, and then he didn't really contribute much of anything during Lake Erie's Calder Cup run. I also suspect Lamoriello and Babcock will want him to be a good soldier and put in his time with the Marlies before he graduates to the NHL. It would surprise me if they took on a malcontent from another organization that fought with management about having to play in the AHL, and immediately graduated him to the NHL.

As for Leipsic, there's probably a bunch of NHL rosters he'd be ready to crack at this point, but he seems to be pretty clearly behind the big-3, as well as Brown, Soshnikov & Hyman.