Toronto Maple Leafs: Impressions and Game Notes
The Toronto Maple Leafs have two spots in the lineup that are up for grabs.
Although no official decision has been made about who will claim those spots on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster, Miro Aaltonen, and Calle Rosen have set the tone.
At least to myself and a few others.
Going into Monday nights game, the spotlight was indeed on these two, but by the time the game had ended, the light was entirely on Auston Matthews four-point night.
Three of which were goals, one that was pretty impressive.
Now that a couple of days have passed, I’m looking back on Aaltonen and Rosen’s performance and shining the light back on them.
I think it’s safe to say that the fourth line center position and the bottom left defender position are respectively Aaltonen’s and Rosen’s to lose.
Let’s take a closer look.
Just Greasy
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Aaltonen centered Matt Martin and Connor Brown on the fourth line as well as serving in a penalty killing capacity.
His foot speed is above average and the only real concern to his game is his ability to win draws, which can and will be improved upon.
I’ll be looking at an article written by Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun here, quoting Mike Babcock who’s speaking of Aaltonen.
"I think he’s pretty greasy. I think he learns really fast and he has a good skill set. He looks like a good player. In saying that, you guys are getting ahead of the game here."
Maybe we are getting ahead of ourselves, but that’s what speculation is, isn’t it?
Babs went on to add that Dominic Moore and Eric Fehr are still in the battle for the spot, both will appear in tonight’s game, more on that to come.
Don’t completely count out Ben Smith (you can) because he technically hasn’t been cut, yet.
As for Rosen, Babcock’s favored him throughout exhibition play and camp.
He’s been compared to, throughout his career, Paul Coffey – just a slightly smaller version of the legend.
Yes, those are pretty big shoes to fill, but it’s more about the style Rosen plays with.
He has some confidence and swagger to his game, all good things.
Lines
The Leafs are back at it again tonight against the Canadiens and here are the lines.
Josh Leivo – Miro Aaltonen – Connor Brown
Kerby Rychel – Dominic Moore – Kasperi Kapanen
Colin Greening – Ben Smith – Carl Grundstrom
Andreas Johnsson – Eric Fehr – Nikita Soshnikov
Calle Rosen – Travis Dermott
Andreas Borgman – Connor Carrick
Martin Marincin – Justin Holl
Curtis McElhinney
Garret Sparks
All four centerman who are competing for that final center spot are in the lineup tonight and my guess is that line numbers will be irrelevant after a few shifts.
Babcock will give more ice time to the more deserving lines, that’s just how it goes.
However, one can see which players Babs is and isn’t favoring here.
Heading over to the defenseman, it looks like Dermott will be possibly competing with Carrick for the bottom right spot?
I’m just guessing at this point, unless him playing the right side just goes to show how much more versatile he can be, giving more incentive to add him to the final roster.
On the left side, it looks like the two Swedes will be heavily vying for the open position.
Puck drops at 7 PM tonight, live from Centre Videotron, be there.