Lauren Kelly
I think the Toronto Maple Leafs have the same idea I do. I believe it will be Miro Aaltonen in the final 4C spot – he’s looked a lot better than Dominic Moore this preseason in terms of faceoffs and defensive plays, and for a player who played more of an offensive game in Finland, he’s proven he can play at the other end of the ice without fault as well.
I think the stricter faceoff calls really hurt Moore at the beginning, he hasn’t looked like the player the Leafs hoped to be getting when they signed him. I also think Calle Rosen will take the final spot on the blueline. I was impressed by the confidence he had on the ice and I think it ultimately will come down to him and Dermott.
Borgman has an outside shot, and Liljegren still needs more development in the AHL (not a huge deal). Rosen has really stood out as a calm, steady presence and even though he’s never played in the NHL, he looked all right playing on that third pair, whether it was with Dermott or Carrick. As far as the backup goalie situation goes, Curtis McElhinney is your obvious choice because although he hasn’t played very well in the preseason, he’s there for a reason. Kasimir Kaskisuo has been the better of the remaining three goalies but he didn’t start much for the Marlies last season and spent most of his time in the ECHL. Garret Sparks may challenge for the backup position but I can’t see the Leafs sending McElhinney to the Marlies. There isn’t a large enough gap to justify that, so for now, McElhinney is their guy.