Preseason GDT 1: Leafs vs Sens W4-2

[You're right]

Pretty good game - they beat a team they should have and put in a good effort. I'm just happy hockey is back!

[barney_rebel]

We rule man

[princedpw]

I know it is just a pre-season but look what increased competition for jobs brings out of the players. Bozak, who was slotted for the first line job last year, now battling for third line job and look how desperate he is.

Bozak and his linemates Kessel and Versteeg looked spectacular in the preseason last year as well, tic-tac-toeing passes around the offensive zone and generally appearing as though they were toying with the opposition.

[Boston Leaf]

Also: Aulie looked pretty bad out there. It looked like he was getting beat a lot, making bad passes and bad decisions. Everyone talks about Gunnarsson being on the bubble, but Aulie's play earlier tonight did not give me a lot of confidence.

1 exhibition game. Keith proved himself last year with his steady play. Crazy to dismiss that over the first exhibition game.

[AvroArrow]

Also: Aulie looked pretty bad out there. It looked like he was getting beat a lot, making bad passes and bad decisions. Everyone talks about Gunnarsson being on the bubble, but Aulie's play earlier tonight did not give me a lot of confidence.

Aulie's turn for the sophomore slump.

[Zee]

Anyone else think Scrivens has a shot of unseating Gustavsson?

[hockeyfan1]

Anyone else think Scrivens has a shot of unseating Gustavsson?

That would be possible only if Gustavvson's play shows a monumental collapse.  He certainly looked a little slow, 'off-key' some say, that's after not having played dating back to last season, a long time it's been.  Gustavvson would be exhibitng some 'rust'.  Then again, who knows how things will turn out?  If the Goose keeps playing with mediocrity and Scrivens one-ups him......   

[Bender]

Anyone else think Scrivens has a shot of unseating Gustavsson?

He'll need to play a few more games yet, but I think there's a possibility. He looked more settled than Goose.

[Potvin29]

Anyone else think Scrivens has a shot of unseating Gustavsson?

That would be possible only if Gustavvson's play shows a monumental collapse.  He certainly looked a little slow, 'off-key' some say, that's after not having played dating back to last season, a long time it's been.  Gustavvson would be exhibitng some 'rust'.  Then again, who knows how things will turn out?  If the Goose keeps playing with mediocrity and Scrivens one-ups him......

Overall I would 'agree'.

[sb78]

Like everyone else, I was really happy to see how well Gardiner fit in.  But the guy who really impressed me (who hasn't seemed to have received as much press) was Joe Colborne with his puck control down low.   I know it's a pre-season roster, but the Sens defenders could not move him off the puck and he created a couple of nice chances.   Future is looking bright.

[nutman]

Like everyone else, I was really happy to see how well Gardiner fit in.  But the guy who really impressed me (who hasn't seemed to have received as much press) was Joe Colborne with his puck control down low.   I know it's a pre-season roster, but the Sens defenders could not move him off the puck and he created a couple of nice chances.   Future is looking bright.

yup.. he will be a top center for us down the road.

[Zee]

Anyone else think Scrivens has a shot of unseating Gustavsson?

He'll need to play a few more games yet, but I think there's a possibility. He looked more settled than Goose.

I worry about Gustavsson.  I remember last season the way he'd freak out after giving up a goal, he seems way too high strung or something.  Even last night after the goal he took his mask off and looked like he was about to lose it.  That and the way he moves around so much in the net, he just doesn't seem to play a classic Allaire style, I hope he proves me wrong.

[cw]

A few notes (with a big caveat that it was only one preseason game):

I didn't mind Grabbo's line. Their timing was a little off but they all looked like they were ready to pick up from where they left off. Grabbo was still bouncing back up when he got knocked down. MacArthur showed his brand of grit trying to go to some tough places and had a nice steal.

I was a little surprised how easily an Ottawa winger outraced Liles to a puck in the first. For a dman who likes to join in in the offensive zone, I hope that demonstration of his skating speed was an aberration.

Late in the game, Neil hit Phaneuf. It looked to me like Dion hurt his shoulder some on the play ... Otherwise, Dion looked like the Dion of recent Leafs seasons past, a bad pinch or some out of positioning along with some good hits and some shooting threats from the point.

Ryan deserves some credit for doing everything he could when he got the chance.

Of the rookies/young guys, ignoring his points, Gardiner impressed me the most. Not so much in the offensive zone because I kind of expected that from him. And I expected his skating to be good - it's what he's known for. But I thought he handled himself pretty well in the D zone - he didn't panic with the puck and made some nice passes. He and Schenn might make a really nice pairing some day soon as I think they compliment each other.

Bozak & Armstrong obviously carried on from where they left off last season. They seem to play well together. Not sure about Kadri yet.

The goaltending by either goalie didn't bother me. They stopped what they should have stopped and looked fine to me.

One other thing stood out: the PP. Wilson had them rotating more on the point and sideboards to help get shooting lanes. That was encouraging as was some players tending to go to the net.

[Bender]

A few notes (with a big caveat that it was only one preseason game):

I didn't mind Grabbo's line. Their timing was a little off but they all looked like they were ready to pick up from where they left off. Grabbo was still bouncing back up when he got knocked down. MacArthur showed his brand of grit trying to go to some tough places and had a nice steal.

I was a little surprised how easily an Ottawa winger outraced Liles to a puck in the first. For a dman who likes to join in in the offensive zone, I hope that demonstration of his skating speed was an aberration.

Late in the game, Neil hit Phaneuf. It looked to me like Dion hurt his shoulder some on the play ... Otherwise, Dion looked like the Dion of recent Leafs seasons past, a bad pinch or some out of positioning along with some good hits and some shooting threats from the point.

Ryan deserves some credit for doing everything he could when he got the chance.

Of the rookies/young guys, ignoring his points, Gardiner impressed me the most. Not so much in the offensive zone because I kind of expected that from him. And I expected his skating to be good - it's what he's known for. But I thought he handled himself pretty well in the D zone - he didn't panic with the puck and made some nice passes. He and Schenn might make a really nice pairing some day soon as I think they compliment each other.

Bozak & Armstrong obviously carried on from where they left off last season. They seem to play well together. Not sure about Kadri yet.

The goaltending by either goalie didn't bother me. They stopped what they should have stopped and looked fine to me.

One other thing stood out: the PP. Wilson had them rotating more on the point and sideboards to help get shooting lanes. That was encouraging as was some players tending to go to the net.

Love reading your thoughts here.

[seahawk]

Did he say Mike Hoffman playing for the Senators?

Wonder if that's the Hoffman who played in Belfast, Northern Ireland last year.. He's decent.

Nope, apparently a different one!

He played in Bingo last year. Previous to that was Drummondville and Kitchener.