I bet he gets in to one of the games this weekend.

yeah back to back should allow for rotations

Yup

maybe on the back to back in place of one of the older guys

I think it'll have to be Barabanov

I'm not saying that Ottawa is going to beat the Leafs or anything like that, but going against the grain in the second but the second game of the season, in which you had no pre-season games, isn't the time to start juggling lines. I also wouldn't take this game as a "Gimme".

If Robertson makes the lineup better, then yes, he should be in it, but he should be playing full-time. If not, let him develop.

im starting to sweat at the thought of a Reilly-Zaitsev 2nd pairing. Everything else is fine on our team

I agree with you that no game is a gimme, but Robertson deserves a shot and there's not much developing to be done on the taxi squad at the moment.

haha I watched a different Rielly - Zaitsev for years and I don't know much about OTT's Reilly but I pray for him with Zaitsev lol.

I don't think its a gimme but I think Robertson earned a shot in this lineup and I would rather give it to him against Ottawa than another team

I wouldn't break up the checking line no matter who the opponent is. They need more time together than anyone if they are going to be tasked with shutting down McDavid, Petterson, etc. all year. Especially considering they had 0 exhibition games together.

Sit Barabanov or Spezza, and tweak the lines if needed, but I would not touch the checking line.

I'm kinda 50/50 on the "Not much developing to be done on the taxi squad" thing TBH. My opinion has always been that the best way to develop is to play, but after watching what baseball did this summer, with their "Taxi Squad-esque" training facilities, and with how young Robertson is, I can't imagine that it'll hurt.

I mean, I'm pretty frustrated that the Ducks sent Zegras down without really giving him a shot...at least you might get to see Robertson snag a roster spot if someone goes down with an injury

fair point. I would even give him a shot in Vesey or Thornton's spot then.

I feel like Ottawa is going to be a hard team to play against. I suppose if you just matched his line up against Zaitsev/Reilly you wouldn't really have to worry about him though

Again I'm not trying to discredit Ottawa, I think they are making positive strides and I agree that no game will come easy in this division, but they are the only rebuilding team in the division. If you're gonna give Robertson his first look, it should be against OTT, hopefully with that Reilly - Zaitsev matchup.

It pretty much has to be Barabonov. Everyone else on the roster at present would require waivers.

I just meant the "Ottawa is going to be hard team to play against" in the sense that I feel like they're going to be a team that's going to be throwing their bodies around a lot.

I hope so.

Yeah, I'm sure it won't hurt (he can always get stronger), I just think the best thing for him is to at least get into some games. The things with him that need improving are tough to work on outside of action. For instance, I think he needs to get a feel for finding the open spaces at the next level compared to junior so he can utilize his shot. I'd be filtering him in and out, give him his six games and if he appears to be the best option at that point then leave him, if not, hopefully the junior leagues are up and running by then.

I agree with this. Youthful hunger and a 'prove you wrong' attitude gets underestimated.

I doubt it happens this early, but I think at some point Spezza will hit the taxi squad for a night off. Considering he is in Leafs or retire mode, it would be a major a**hole move if another team put in a claim.

Yeah, that's what I thought.

Yeah. I assume they'll "Dobson" him, which I really hope (In Dobson's case at least) that it works out...he's a great kid and really deserves to be successful.

Yep, really a guy that can't help but root for.

Where?