The Toronto Maple Leafs have played three games this pre-season as I write this on Saturday afternoon, and a fourth one as you read it on Sunday morning.
The Toronto Maple Leafs dressed their B lineup last night against Montreal and while I'm intersted to see how some of the individual players did (especially Topi Niemela who is bizarely getting into just his first game) the first three games have given more than enough thoughts to work with.
Obviously, it's concerning seeing Matthews, Nylander and Tavares all go down with injuries, but at least they all seem fairly minor at this point. Except for maybe Nylander because you never know when someone hits their head.
Matthews at least returned to practice this weekend and doesn't look to be in any sort of trouble. Hopefully he rest up for the playoffs though, as I could not care less about his regular season performance. The guy has a Hart Trophy and another 69 goal season where he should have won it. He has also been pretty much useless in the playoffs due to injuries every year, so my view is rest him a lot and keep him fit for when it counts.
Toronto Maple Leafs Trade, Rumours, Cuts and News
Brad Treliving hasn't made a major trade since taking over for Kyle Dubas 16 months ago. I am starting to get curious about who has been a GM the longest without making a big trade. Brad might be going for a record here.
He clearly seems afraid to make a big deal, since his last one sent the Florida Panthers to the Stanley Cup Finals twice.
The rumours are that the Leafs could be open to moving Calle Jarkrok or David Kampf, but hopefully it's both as the Leafs need to turn the page on having too many vets and let the kids play.
Speaking of kids, Easton Cowan should have been on this team regardless of camp performance, just based on the fact that he's too good for junior and can't play in the AHL. The signing of Pacioretty and the Leafs inability to clear the roster in the summer has put his role in doubt, but he was so good in Thursdays pre-season game against Montreal that it would be criminal to keep him out of the lineup.
The Leafs will probably announce some cuts soon, as they don't appear to keen on giving most of their young players any chance to make the team. For instance, Topi Nimella played his first game last night.
As for news, there hasn't been too many big stories just yet, but the biggest news of Saturday was the fact that Nylander is apperently OK after accidently being knocked into a Hab's player by Nick Robertson the other night.
Here is to the Leafs making smart roster decisions, a big trade and to the health of their stars!