Set aside talk of pain and patience and probable lottery finishes. It’s Leafs versus Habs to open a new regular season. It doesn’t get much better than this.
A tonne of reading below to get you prepped for tonight.
Wednesday Links:
- Evan Dorey: Maple Leafs Preseason 2015-16: Scoring Chances and Zone Starts (MLHS)
While the Leafs didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard in the exhibition campaign, they did show strong puck possession numbers.
I - Tom Hunter: Mitch Marner’s Return to the OHL (MLHS)
The game was Marner’s second back with the Knights after his first taste of NHL training camp and preseason.
I - Staff: Leafs claim Frank Corrado off waivers, waive Richard Panik (MLHS)
Corrado is the youngest player to pass through waivers the past few days. At age 22, especially at the D position, there could still be upside here.
I - Transcript: Lamoriello on Corrado: “He was on the radar of our pro scouts over the last two years” (MLHS)
“Frank was on the radar of our pro scouts, who have seen him over the last two years, in particular our scout Mike Penny in Vancouver.”
I - Transcript: Frank Corrado on joining the Maple Leafs: “I broke down in tears today finding out the news” (MLHS)
I’m speechless. I saw the news, and I just remember me and my grandmother were hugging in the kitchen and we were both in tears.
I - Video: Tim Thompson’s ‘Maple Leaf Forever’ video montage will overwhelm you with feels (MLHS)
On the eve of a new season – and the dawn of a new era under GM Lou Lamoriello and head coach Mike Babcock – here’s a hopeful tribute to the Maple Leafs and their fans from the awesome videographer Tim Thompson.
i - Transcript: Mike Babcock’s sit down with Darren Dreger (MLHS)
We had the puck more in the past two games than we’ve had it forever. We cycled the puck in the offensive zone more than we’ve ever done.
I - Travis Yost: Bet on Babcock to boost Leafs’ possession numbers (TSN.ca)
We have seen a bunch of five-point improvements in the past, and if anyone can lead that charge, it’s probably Babcock.
I - James Mirtle: Leafs claim Frank Corrado off waivers from Canucks (The Globe and Mail)
Corrado brings what the Leafs need. He’s a right-hand shot (which Toronto has few of on the back end), a good puck mover and has some potential.
I - Steve Simmons: Remaining patient with Leafs won’t be easy: Lamoriello (Toronto Sun)
“Our goals are the same. We know where we want to go. Don’t you think when I saw a couple of those young kids play (during camp) that you get excited?
I - Frank Seravalli: Three players picked up on waivers on day before season (TSN.ca)
As the 27th place finisher last year, the Leafs may not have been the only team to place a claim on Corrado, as waivers use the inverse order of last season’s standings at this time of year.
I - Jonas Siegel: Babcock will be centre stage in Toronto this season (TSN.ca)
“He sees every little thing on the ice, every play,” Gardiner says. “If something’s wrong in the neutral zone he’ll fix it right away and if something’s wrong in the D-zone he’ll fix it right away.”
I - Mark Masters: Babcock gives Phaneuf a vote of confidence (TSN)
A day before the Leafs’ season-opener, Mike Babcock gave his captain Dion Phaneuf a vote of confidence and thinks he’ll be in for a big year.
I - Matt Larkin: Can Drake Berehowsky’s program change how we evaluate players? (THN)
Drake and his sister, Danielle, began work on idea called StatsTrack, an application that tracks player and team events on the ice in real time.
I - Jeff Veillette: Andrew Campbell named captain of Toronto Marlies (TLN)
A new coach, a plethora of new talent, and now a new leader. The Marlies announced that summer signing Andrew Campbell will be named the team’s seventh captain in their eleven-year history.
I - Damien Cox: Maple Leafs only stars to start season are in suits (Sportsnet)
Without a true NHL star now, the Maple Leafs are a team defined by its suits and their promises, not its players and their talent.
I - Kaitlyn McGrath: Leafs players welcome chance to help rebuild team they grew up watching (National Post)
“That’s one of the reasons why I signed back here is to be part of that Leafs revival, if you will,” Winnik said. “I think that would be great to be Canada’s team all over again.”
I - Arpan: The stupidity of waiving Frank Corrado (Nucks Misconduct)
It would be remiss if I didn’t point out that Corrado is a 22 year old defenceman who has the defensive awareness to be a lower bottom two top four d-man.
I - Zanstorm: Counterpoint: The Necessity Of Waiving Frankie Corrado (Nucks Misconduct)
Corrado’s fate was created by…..Corrado, actually! He was outplayed by Hutton and Hutton just happens to be a bigger defenceman with far more offensive upside.
