Marincin is totally going to be on the opening night roster. Why? Because Babs will want him to kill penalties. I hope that one of Schmaltz or Holl suprises in camp (super long shot) or Liljegren really impresses and earns a spot. Once Dermott is back more changes will be made.

As for the depth guys, whoever wins a spot in training camp will remain with the club the rest will get traded or sent down.

Out of all the depth forwards which do you think/would like to see make the roster?

I don't think Timashov gets a look. The rest of them will be battling it out at camp

I'd like a 4th line of Mikheyev-Spezza-Moore

I too would like that because it means that Gauthier isn't playing and that there's enough quality wingers to push Mikheyev and Moore out of the top 9

When everyone is healthy I'd like to see this lineup, of course some of these guys will have to surprise but this is what I'd like to see. I also threw in Tanev because I want to see him added for cheap at the deadline.

Mikheyev-Matthews-Nylander
Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Moore-Spezza-Shore

Gauthier

Rielly-Tanev
Muzzin-Barrie
Dermott-Liljegren

Marincin
Holl

Gauthier isn't that bad, he's got very little offense but advance stats do show that he's pretty good defensively, wins faceoffs and is pretty big. I'll take that for the 4th line any time. They don't need to score points. To be honest if Spezza doesn't show that well I'd like to see a 4th line of Moore-Gauthier-Shore. Babs needs centres who can kill penalties and win draws.

I like Gauthier but I can't see him making the roster this year. If he wasn't trusted to get consistent penalty kill time last year I'm not sure how much his faceoff prowess or defensive capabilities are going to be valued ahead of the offense Spezza might generate against weaker competition. If Babcock wants low event hockey for 8-10 minutes a night he'll probably just play Shore instead. Gauthier likely gets traded during training camp to avoid being a waiver wire casualty to a basement dwelling team who would appreciate the fact that he gets paid less than league min...so probably Ottawa

Spezza though hasn't really been able to generate any offence. In fact, if you compare the two last season, Gauthier creates more offense and is way ahead defensively. Mind you the system in Dallas is far less offensive than TO and they lack the firepower lower in their lineup so that would affect Spezza's numbers but I am not sure he's the answer, the deeper we've got into this summer, the less I believe Spezza is a lock to make the team.

I think your "mind you" is exactly what the Leafs are banking on with Spezza. Let him face weaker opposition, with likely a better supporting cast and play on the 2nd PP unit and see what he can contribute at league min. If it's a failure, no big deal you can waive and his cap hit goes away entirely. If it's a success than suddenly you're generating points from your 4th line instead of just killing time which is what Gauthier was basically used for.

I think that is the hope but again, Gauthier generated a lot more offense than Spezza did last year. From a points per minute basis, Gauthier was well ahead of Spezza. The 2nd PP unit suggestion bares merit however, at the same time with Kerfoot, Johnsson and others on the 2nd Unit it could be a lot better than last year once the lineup is healthy. No Marleau taking up space and not scoring will help.