Maybe it's happened before but an unsigned/undrafted rookie camp invite actually getting into a pre-season game feels pretty rare.

I feel like it happens more frequently in team's first couple pre-season games, but typically not this close to the end of camp. Usually, these guys are sent back to their junior team by now.

Spencer Martin is apparently generating a ton of interest on the waiver wire right now, per Dregs. So if that's the case we should be able to get at least a 2nd for Jones if teams are that desperate.

Claimed by Columbus, which frees up Aaron Dell as an option for teams looking for goalies.

The interest in Martin is curious, but, he's shown some promise and isn't as much of a known quantity as Jones.

And if it is Jones, chances are they'll have to trade for him because they're way down the waiver wire.

Maybe, but I also don't expect there to be a ton of interest in him around the league, quite frankly. Most teams have two goalies who are as good or better. Unless there's a few other goalie injuries, he probably passes through waivers. He's put up sub .900 Sv% in 4 of the last 5 seasons, and the one he didn't he was right at .900.

He's had a reasonably good showing in the pre-season, but he's very much an established player. Teams know what they're going to get from him, and that's 3rd string quality.

I suspect Tampa has their sites set higher than Jones. I also suspect better goalies will be available.

Seriously. If they run with Jones and Jonas Johansson for the first 2+ months of the season, they might as well start selling already.

Honestly not sure which goalie could be available that would be a clear upgrade over Jones, even before taking into account cap hit and acquisition cost.

Wouldn't shock me if Anaheim make Stalock available on waivers. He's not a big upgrade, but he's at least kept his Sv% over .900 for most of his career.

You're right that there's not much out there, but, if Jones is really it, Tampa is in rough shape.

I suspect Tampa has their sites set higher than Jones. I also suspect better goalies will be available.

Seriously. If they run with Jones and Jonas Johansson for the first 2+ months of the season, they might as well start selling already.

Starting to think Timmins isn't getting through waivers.

Chances were slim to none he'd pass before. He's def not now so something has to give barring injury. I'd say the same is probably true now with Lafferty and Gregor as well.
Leafs need to keep 13F and 7D so if that means trading Jarnkrok, so be it.

Gregor's not under contract, so he's already prime for poaching if a team really wanted him. If he's not signed by someone in the next few days, that's a pretty strong indication he'd pass through waivers.

I'm interested in seeing such talent up-and-down the lineup. However, I'm also a proponent of sticking with what's working. Nylander got 40 goals and 87 points in a particular position. I'd be tempted to stick with what works.

That said, we'd actually be pretty thin on a 3rd/4th line centre

I also tend to lean to "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," but, at the same time, training camp and early pre-season games are the optimal time to experiment to see what options you might have. If it works, great, you're now getting more out of your roster. If it doesn't, no loss, you can just go back to the tried and true before the season gets going.

If you're going to really give Nylander a shot down the middle, now is the time. See what he can do there and how it impacts the rest of the lineup when the results don't actually matter - especially since the Leafs aren't icing a roster with a lot of rookies or inexperienced players. These guys having been playing long enough that going back to their previous roles is an easy and quick transition for them.

How did Giordano grow an inch?

New and improved measuring tape. ;P

Am I the only one who finds it crazy that the league is starting training camp closer to the end of September, and is still holding 7 or 8 pre-season games for each team, only to have the season start after Canadian Thanksgiving? 

No reason they shouldn't be in the midst of training camp right now with the season starting as the calendar month flips.

I think they only have 6 pre-season games now. Other than that, yeah, seems a little rushed.

Dreger is usually just a mouthpiece for trial balloons, so this is quite the floater.

Oh, it's a floater, alright. Just needs a good flush.

Former Coyotes goalie coach so you'd assume there'd be some familiarity with Treliving there. Good luck in Pittsburgh.

Former Soo goalie coach under Dubas, so, you know, continuing his trend of trying to get the band back together.

Also, should probably be pointed out, he wasn't a goalie coach with the Leafs - or, at least, not THE goalie coach. That's Curtis Sanford. Elkin's official job was Goaltender Evaluation and Development.

It's weird, but it definitely doesn't seem malicious. Feels like trying to create a controversy out of a pretty innocuous oddity. 

I have a feeling deep in my gut that Leafs are winning the Cup this season.  You heard it here first.  56 year drought, done.

Might be indigestion

That's a crazy contract for a guy with one year of NHL experience

That was basically my take. It's not like he came out and set the league on fire - and there was no need to get an extension done this summer, as he still has a year on his ELC. He had a strong, promising rookie season and showed promise, but, even if he has a great year this season, he wasn't going to get much more than this on whatever contract he signed. And, if he doesn't take that leap, they almost certainly signed him for cheaper, even if that meant shorter term.

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1699594887962800567

Is he that good?  If he is, Chabot Chychrun Sanderson Zub is a nice top-4 d-man collection.

He has good potential, but it's a big commitment to a guy who had a good rookie year. As of right now, that number represents the 14th highest cap hit for a defenceman for the 24/25 season.