Morning Mashup: It Begins

by Nikhil Daljeet on September 20, 2011 in Leafs News - 299 Comments

Photo: David Cooper/Toronto Star

The summer-long cork on Leafs hockey has been popped open, and the conclusion of the first preseason game (a 4-2 Leafs win over the Senators) has unleashed the expected outpouring of reactions, excitement, and media looking for a controversial storyline.  There is the unsurprising debate on line arrangements and battles for the few roster spots, but Toronto’s newspapers are not known to leave any contentious point unexplored.  Early into this iteration of the Maple Leafs season, one such point is the future of Jonas Gustavsson.

Whether it be due to the rising stock of Ben Scrivens, or purely for the sake of finding something to talk about, there are a few articles out there that discuss the uncertainty of the Monster’s role with this club.  The big Swede has talent and a fiery competitiveness that will eventually see him to NHL success in my books.  I also see the combined pressure of Scrivens and Reimer giving Gustavsson the motivation he needs to find his legs, although he will need some time to get there.  But it remains to be seen whether he can settle down into the level of goaltending consistency that is so dependent on mental focus and fortitude.  One thing is for sure: this storyline will be supplemented and replaced by a multitude of others as the Leafs trot out a different roster tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers (feat. Kessel vs. Kessel + Schenn vs. Schenn?).

LINKS

• Game in Six, in case you missed it
• Mislav’s postgame recap
• Gustavsson in an uncertain position – National Post
• The Bozak line has made a quick impression
• Are the inexperienced Leafs goaltenders up for the task at hand?
• Jake Gardiner has another strong showing
• The Schenns get ready to go head-to-head
• Toronto hires former linesman as a part-time scout
• New assistant coaches will add a different dimension
• Players react to the NHL’s experimental changes
• Connolly is an 80 point center (or is he?)

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