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On Friday, we discussed the report of Dmytro Timashov moving to the Shawinigan Cataractes, pending the waive of his no-trade clause.

Mikael Lalancette of TVA Sport has a few updates from the weekend. Translations are below the tweets.

The Cataractes discussed with Timashov’s agent today. I wouldn’t be surprised if he accepts going to Shawinigan.”

“Nothing new in the Timashov report. Since the start, Cataractes confident he’ll accept the deal.”

More details on the possible move below.


Travis Dermott makes 2016 Team Canada World Junior Championship roster

Travis Dermott, in a battle for a spot with 17-year-old Jakob Chychrun, 2014 pick Jake Walman and fellow 2015 second rounder Vince Dunn, seized the opportunity with a strong camp (including a goal and an assist versus Belarus in exhibition) and a little help from injuries to Dunn and Walman.

With Noah Juulsen one of the final cuts (a Montreal Canadiens 2015 first rounder was left off the team in favour of a Leafs‘ draftee selected eight picks later), Roland McKeown is the only righthander on the Canada defense corps. The competition continues now for Dermott in hopes of securing a spot in the regular six among six other lefties.

Congrats to Dermott. Leafs fans officially have five prospects to watch in the World Juniors this year — Marner (CAN), Dermott (CAN), Timashov (SWE), Nylander (SWE), and Kapanen (FIN).


NHL scout on the Maple Leafs: “If they had average to above-average goaltending, they’d be a playoff team”

This from Steve Simmons’ Sunday column:

An NHL scout on the Maple Leafs: “If they had average to above-average goaltending, they’d be a playoff team. I’m not kidding. They have been impressive to watch this season.”

Below are the numbers. .916 is the current league average save percentage.

Games with .916 or aboveGames with below .916Games with .910 or belowGames with below .900
3-1 loss to MTL3-1 loss to MTL4-0 loss to DET4-0 loss to DET
2-1 loss to PIT4-0 loss to DET5-4 SO loss to OTT5-4 SO loss to OTT
2-1 SO loss to BUF5-4 SO loss to OTT6-3 win over CBJ6-3 win over CBJ
3-1 loss to NYR6-3 win over CBJ5-3 loss to MTL5-3 loss to MTL
4-1 win over DAL5-3 loss to MTL4-3 loss to PHX4-3 loss to PHX
3-2 SO loss to WAS4-3 loss to PHX4-0 loss to PIT4-0 loss to PIT
3-2 win over DAL4-0 loss to PIT4-2 loss to WPG4-3 loss to NYR
2-1 SO win over NSH4-2 loss to WPG4-3 loss to NYR4-3 SO loss to BOS
4-2 win over VAN2-1 OT loss to DET4-3 SO loss to BOS4-2 loss to WAS
5-1 win over COL4-3 loss to NYR4-2 loss to WAS6-1 loss to WPG
2-1 SO win over CAR4-3 SO loss to BOS6-1 loss to WPG5-4 OT loss to TB
2-0 loss to BOS4-2 loss to WAS5-4 OT loss to TB5-4 OT loss to SJ
3-0 win over EDM6-1 loss to WPG5-4 OT loss to SJ
1-0 loss to MIN5-4 OT loss to TB
4-1 win over STL5-4 OT loss to SJ
3-2 SO win over NJ
5-0 win over LA
Total: 17Total: 15Total: 13Total: 12
Record: 10-5-2Record: 1-8-5Record: 1-8-4Record: 1-7-4

It’s not rocket science that a hockey team wins more games with solid goaltending, but the Leafs are 10-5-2 with league average or above goaltending, and more than anything have had far too many games (12) with below .900 goaltending so far this season.

Part of the results above is attributable to the fact that the Leafs couldn’t outscore any goaltending issues earlier in the season — they’ve won only one game with below .916 goaltending all season.

The Leafs are 9-5-3 in their last 17, collecting 21 points in that span. That’s a playoff pace of 101 points prorated over 82 games.

They might have to be consistently that good or better to make up for their dismal October.


Rich Clune called up for road trip

With a tough back-to-back against Colorado and Phoenix on Monday and Tuesday, the Leafs have brought along an extra body on their pre-Christmas road trip in case of injury.

The Marlies, off until after the holiday, enter the Christmas break with a remarkable .800 winning percentage.


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