Polak signs 1x1.1

[Dappleganger]

I like it.  Team needs someone to clear the front of the net.  Far too much traffic for our goalies to see past

"Roman Polak clears the front of the net"...except he doesn't. (Red is bad) pic.twitter.com/pmgEUq1foh

— Ian Tulloch📊 (@IanGraph) October 22, 2017

Is it possible to see GAA and save percentage rates 5v5 for when Polak is on the ice and without?

[herman]

I have been thinking that our team needs more experience learning how to:
- play without the puck
- break out of our own zone
- have forwards cover for defensemen
- play shorthanded

We are going to get a lot more reps of all of that with Polak on the ice.

[AvroArrow]

This move means somebody needs to go down. Either Borgman or Rosen likely. Or maybe Babs finally gives Moore the 4C spot permanently and Fehr finds a new home. But my money's on Rosen.

Isn't Polak a RD?  Wouldn't this more likely spell the end for Carrick?

[CarltonTheBear]

Isn't Polak a RD?  Wouldn't this more likely spell the end for Carrick?

I would imagine it would bump Carrick out of the line-up (or at least they'll rotate), but my money would be on Rosen getting bumped off the roster and onto the Marlies.

[AvroArrow]

Isn't Polak a RD?  Wouldn't this more likely spell the end for Carrick?

I would imagine it would bump Carrick out of the line-up (or at least they'll rotate), but my money would be on Rosen getting bumped off the roster and onto the Marlies.

Ah, right, that makes sense.

[herman]

I brought this up before, but with Babcock basically only playing Zaitsev and Hainsey on the PK some type of move here was inevitable. I was hoping it'd be bringing Marincin back up, but here we are. I'd expect Polak to sub in for Carrick pretty quickly to fill that hole on the PK.

The Leafs currently have a top 10 PK in terms of CA/60 (7th), GA/60 (6th), xGA/60 (6th) riding Hainsey and Zaitsev, but it definitely isn't sustainable with only two guys on the backend.

[Frank E]

Re-arranging deck chairs here.

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Rosen to the Marlies.

Polak probably the 7th for a bit at least.

[CarltonTheBear]

Interesting conspiracy theory: did Babcock only play 2 defencemen on the PK to essentially force management into re-signing Polak?

[cabber24]

It's disappointing how little has changed between this year and last on the blue line. Hainsey for Hunwick? Virtually the same group who as whole are still not very good.

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

Interesting conspiracy theory: did Babcock only play 2 defencemen on the PK to essentially force management into re-signing Polak?

Mmmmm nah.

[Guilt Trip]

It's disappointing how little has changed between this year and last on the blue line. Hainsey for Hunwick? Virtually the same group who as whole are still not very good.

It's not getting good overnight without a major trade. It's going to take time and clearly Liljegren, Rosen and Borgman need time to develop. Who knows what their ceiling will be.
And just because they signed Polak, doesn't mean he automatically bumps someone out. He may well be the 7th guy and play against the tougher teams. Time will tell on how Babcock will use him.

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Liljegren a 1st and a 2nd for Doughty.

[Zee]

It's disappointing how little has changed between this year and last on the blue line. Hainsey for Hunwick? Virtually the same group who as whole are still not very good.

I think Hainsey has been better than Hunwick was at least early in last season.

[herman]

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I was really hoping someone captured this.