2016-17 Marlies Talk: New Season, Continued Expectations

[seahawk]

AHL regular season ended last night. Marlies finish 2nd in the North Division and will face the Albany Devils in the 1st round.

North Division Semifinals – Series β€œD” (best-of-5)
N2-Toronto Marlies vs. N3-Albany Devils
Game 1 – Thu., Apr. 20 – Toronto at Albany, 7:00
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 22 – Toronto at Albany, 5:00
Game 3 – Wed., Apr. 26 – Albany at Toronto, 7:00
*Game 4 – Fri., Apr. 28 – Albany at Toronto, 7:00
*Game 5 – Sat., Apr. 29 – Albany at Toronto, 7:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern

[Highlander]

Wondering if Dermott will be called up to Leafs as I here he is most NHL ready?

[herman]

Kapanen loaned to the Marlies

They also signed the Wheat Kings' overaged goalie Jordan Papirny to an ATO.
Not sure what kind of action he'd see with the Marlies.

[Captain Canuck]

Kapanen loaned to the Marlies

They also signed the Wheat Kings' overaged goalie Jordan Papirny to an ATO.
Not sure what kind of action he'd see with the Marlies.

I was wondering if any Leafs were going to be lent to the Marlies for their playoff run. Sounds like Kapanen was the only one who was both healthy and eligible. Hope he lights it up for the Baby Buds!

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Kapanen to Leipsic x2

2-2 After 2

[CarltonTheBear]

Kapanen to Leipsic x2

2-2 After 2

Colin Greening scored less than a minute into overtime to give the Marlies a 2-1 series advantage. Highlights here:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUGhRKK6RCw[/youtube]

These were the Marlies' lines for anyone interested:

Rychel-O'Reilly-Griffith
Leipsic-Gauthier-Kapanen
Johnsson-Kalinin-Sislo
Timashov-Greening-Moore

Dermott-Valiev
Campbell-Holl
Nielsen-Oleksy

Kasimir Kaskisuo got the start for the Marlies. Sparks was hurt in game 2.

[herman]

These were the Marlies' lines for anyone interested:

Rychel-O'Reilly-Griffith
Leipsic-Gauthier-Kapanen
Johnsson-Kalinin-Sislo
Timashov-Greening-Moore

Aside from that woeful centre depth, that's the kind of attack balance I would like to see on the Leafs eventually.

Babcock prefers a Top-9/Bottom-3 in ice time spread, and a Scoring-6/Checking-6 in terms of line role. Defensively responsible wingers with scoring panache is where it's at if you have the right horses down the middle.

[Nik]

I hope somehow that Leipsic and Kapanen are paired up on the big club next year. Ideally surrounding Nylander but I think that would work for Kadri too.

[CarltonTheBear]

I hope somehow that Leipsic and Kapanen are paired up on the big club next year. Ideally surrounding Nylander but I think that would work for Kadri too.

Those 2 with Nylander would be awesome. I think them with Kadri would make a good scoring line too but it obviously wouldn't be able to get used in a shutdown role like Kadri did this season. But I am starting to have some doubts about whether Bozak and/or JVR get traded this offseason or not. If they do stay, I still think that whole line needs to get broken up. Throw JVR with Matthews and Marner with Kadri and you can still have Leispic and Kapanen together with Bozak.

Either way, I agree with the premise that both of them should get a fair shot at a top-9 role next season. Just watching the highlights from that game and Kapanen looks like such a different player when he's got skill around him. Still can't believe he was never put on the powerplay up here.

[cabber24]

Any of the Dman on the Marlies expected to make a run at the Leafs roster next season? I have been oblivious to the Marlies this season.

[Zee]

Any of the Dman on the Marlies expected to make a run at the Leafs roster next season? I have been oblivious to the Marlies this season.

McKenzie has been talking about Nielsen and Dermott this season, I guess it depends on how the Mariles run + training camp goes for them.

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Dermott moves like an NHLer already, he has a bit of Gardiner about him in his own zone though.

If they are as committed to the plan as they say they are, I have a hard time understanding not moving JVR this summer. JVR with 50% retained could fetch a kings ransom from a contender looking to take another run.

2.2 million for 30/60 is unreal value.

[Highlander]

Kapanen to Leipsic x2

2-2 After 2

Colin Greening scored less than a minute into overtime to give the Marlies a 2-1 series advantage. Highlights here:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUGhRKK6RCw[/youtube]

These were the Marlies' lines for anyone interested:

Rychel-O'Reilly-Griffith
Leipsic-Gauthier-Kapanen
Johnsson-Kalinin-Sislo
Timashov-Greening-Moore

Dermott-Valiev
Campbell-Holl
Nielsen-Oleksy

Kasimir Kaskisuo got the start for the Marlies. Sparks was hurt in game 2.

Found it strange that Kaskisuo got the start in place of Bibeau (has he lost his mojor or something?).  I had read that Kaskisuo was gone to the Solar Bears as Massa was hurt in the line brawl in their playoff game. Also Kappi took two stupid penalties last night, really dumb ones that Babs would have made him sit for a while

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Bibeau still has the ability to be a .940 goalie in the AHL for stretches, the problem with him seems to me to be that he uses micro adjustments and it means often times against quality opponents he isn't "set" for the shot against, when he concedes a couple he doesn't seem to have the best bounce back ability.

[herman]

Bibeau still has the ability to be a .940 goalie in the AHL for stretches, the problem with him seems to me to be that he uses micro adjustments and it means often times against quality opponents he isn't "set" for the shot against, when he concedes a couple he doesn't seem to have the best bounce back ability.

He is also terrible on high danger scrambles in front (moreso than most).