Marlies Training Camp Thread

[RobDM]

It was good to see Paul Ranger playing again, having missed nearly 3 years of hockey for personal reasons that he still won't talk about.

What would you like to hear him say, Rob?

Whatever he's comfortable saying.

[L K]

Did Kadri appear any different than last season in terms of strength, etc?

I thought he played with more of an edge. It was a very chippy start to the game. 25 seconds into the period, HAM's Blake Geoffrion got called for kneeing, then Kadri went to the box for elbowing on the next shift.

It's only one exhibition game, but I see no setback in terms of comparing his play to last year.

Maybe all the drama from the past 8-9 days lit a fire under him.

But were you disappointed with his body fat %.  I felt that he was probably the least impressive player on the ice in terms of arbitrary fitness statistics that have very little impact on actual performance.

[RobDM]

Did Kadri appear any different than last season in terms of strength, etc?

I thought he played with more of an edge. It was a very chippy start to the game. 25 seconds into the period, HAM's Blake Geoffrion got called for kneeing, then Kadri went to the box for elbowing on the next shift.

It's only one exhibition game, but I see no setback in terms of comparing his play to last year.

Maybe all the drama from the past 8-9 days lit a fire under him.

But were you disappointed with his body fat %.  I felt that he was probably the least impressive player on the ice in terms of arbitrary fitness statistics that have very little impact on actual performance.

Didn't get to see him in street clothes because he was not available to reporters after the game. But from what I saw on him on the ice - and we had a pretty good view at ice level - in one corner of the rink, I saw nothing obvious that would be a concern.

[CarltonTheBear]

Toronto's second (and final) preseason game is tonight against Hamilton again. Once again it will be broadcasted at http://www.funny820.com/ and the puck drop is at 7:30pm. Here's a preview from Marlies.ca:

http://blog.marlies.ca/preview-marlies-bulldogs/

Some line-up notes from @KyleTheReporter:

Whatever Jussi Rynnas tweaked last week in camp doesn't look to be an issue, he's skating this morning with tonight's game roster #Marlies

Eakins will dress Greg McKegg, Brad Ross, Andrew Crescenzi, Kenny Ryan and Tyler Brenner tonight. Solid prospect battle underway #Marlies

Ashton, Kadri, Colborne, Kostka, Aucoin, Gardiner, Abbott, Scott, Owuya will sit out tonight against Hamilton. #Marlies #AHLpreseason

[LeafsKessel]

Toronto's second (and final) preseason game is tonight against Hamilton again. Once again it will be broadcasted at http://www.funny820.com/ and the puck drop is at 7:30pm. Here's a preview from Marlies.ca:

http://blog.marlies.ca/preview-marlies-bulldogs/

Some line-up notes from @KyleTheReporter:

Whatever Jussi Rynnas tweaked last week in camp doesn't look to be an issue, he's skating this morning with tonight's game roster #Marlies

Eakins will dress Greg McKegg, Brad Ross, Andrew Crescenzi, Kenny Ryan and Tyler Brenner tonight. Solid prospect battle underway #Marlies

Ashton, Kadri, Colborne, Kostka, Aucoin, Gardiner, Abbott, Scott, Owuya will sit out tonight against Hamilton. #Marlies #AHLpreseason

It will be fun to listen. I think that the Marlies will win tonight.

[CarltonTheBear]

Engelage, Grimshaw, Hughesman and Syvret were all released from their tryout agreements. No surprise there of course.

Brenner, Carrick and Crescenzi were assigned to the ECHL. Toronto's new ECHL affiliate for this season are the Fort Wayne Komets. The team is also affiliated with Anaheim.

That leaves 16 forwards, 8 defencemen, and 3 goalies on the team. The team will definitely carry 8 d-men and likely 3 goalies, but another forward is probably destined for the ECHL as Eakins has said he doesn't want to carry more than 5 lines up front.

[OldTimeHockey]

Do you have any feelings on who the last forward cut will be?

[CarltonTheBear]

Do you have any feelings on who the last forward cut will be?

It's looking like McKegg will be taking the one open spot available at forward, which would leave Ryan, Abbott, Ross, and Devane outside of the top-12. I think Ryan is the least likely to go down as he already spent a fair bit of time there last season and has paid his dues, which is something Eakins seems to respect. He's also probably the best defensive player of the four. Abbott is probably the most offensively skilled guy in that group so it might be good to have someone like that around. Ross and Devane are in somewhat similar positions but it sounded like Ross had a better training camp and has more of a range as to where he can fit in the line-up.

So my guess would be Devane, who of course was my original pick to snag that 12 forward spot.

[cw]

So my guess would be Devane, who of course was my original pick to snag that 12 forward spot.

I'm wondering if their roster could use some grit. No Rosehill, Orr, Neuber or Wilson from last season. They have a number of lightweights in the forward group in a tough league. On that basis, maybe Devane will stick.

[Dr. Bobby Leafer]

Hi praise for Ziggy from the coach;

John Shannon ‏@JSportsnet
Marlie Coach Dallas Eakins just called MZigomanis the best face-off man in both leagues. This time I hope Grapes agrees with him!

[L K]

I don't think the Marlies are the only team that will be "soft" this year though with the lockout.  A lot of teams will have their high-AHL, NHL-ready prospects playing in the AHL who might not be otherwise.  I think it's going to be more of a weaker NHL kind of league until the lockout is over.

[Deebo]

The roster has been set:


Goaltenders:

Mark Owuya
Jussi Rynnas
Ben Scrivens

Defencemen:

Jesse Blacker
Mark Fraser
Jake Gardiner
Simon Gysbers
Korbinian Holzer
Mike Kostka
Paul Ranger
Dylan Yeo

Forwards:

Spencer Abbott
Will Acton
Carter Ashton
Keith Aucoin
Joe Colborne
Jerry D’Amigo
Nicolas Deschamps
Jamie Devane
Ryan Hamilton
Nazem Kadri
Leo Komarov
Greg McKegg
Brad Ross
Kenny Ryan
Greg Scott
Mike Zigomanis

[Champ Kind]

The roster has been set:


Goaltenders:

Mark Owuya
Jussi Rynnas
Ben Scrivens

Defencemen:

Jesse Blacker
Mark Fraser
Jake Gardiner
Simon Gysbers
Korbinian Holzer
Mike Kostka
Paul Ranger
Dylan Yeo

Forwards:

Spencer Abbott
Will Acton
Carter Ashton
Keith Aucoin
Joe Colborne
Jerry D’Amigo
Nicolas Deschamps
Jamie Devane
Ryan Hamilton
Nazem Kadri
Leo Komarov
Greg McKegg
Brad Ross
Kenny Ryan
Greg Scott
Mike Zigomanis

That's a good looking roster.  Great mix of veteran AHL talent and leadership with a really healthy mix of young, talented and touch players.  I'm especially happy to see guys like McKegg, Ross and Devane make the team, as well as Paul Ranger who I think will actually challenge for a spot on the Leafs if / when that time comes.

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Well with Devane, Komarov, Ross and Ryan, their will be plenty of sandpaper/agitation in the line-up. I just hope we're not in the penalty box for half the game.

[caveman]

I like the veteran AHL additions to the line-up. It may take some ice time from the young guys but should create a real stable atmosphere. Hopefully a winning one too.