Anton Stralman has been called up in time for tonight's game against the Atlanta Thrashers. It's not yet decided whether he will play.
On one hand, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to call Stralman up just so he can watch the games in a suit. I can't see calling him up so as not to play him. Is practicing with an NHL team that much more beneficial to a young player's development than staying with his current team and becoming comfortable with his game?
On the other hand, it should be noted that the Toronto Marlies don't play at all this week until Saturday. so it's possible that Stralman has been called up simply to spend some time with the Leafs.
This is my theory: Stralman plays. The Leafs have been slowing down significantly in the third period, and even if Stralman is the 7th defenseman dressed, he can pick up 10 minutes of icetime and (hopefully) add something to the Leafs' defensive effort. At the very least, he is a fresh face to a group that hasn't been stellar.
What is the harm in dressing 7 defensemen and only 11 forwards? Paul Maurice plays his 4th liners less than 5 minutes per game - certainly minutes that can be picked up elsewhere by other forwards. So, take out one of your 4th line wingers, and insert Stralman. There really is no down side to the move. The worst than can happen is that remaining wingers may pick up an extra shift over the course of the game in exchange for an extra man on the back end where reinforcements are surely needed.
I am looking forward to the game for two reasons:
[1] Atlanta is one of the few teams currently worse than the Leafs.
[2] The bloodbath (147 penalty minutes) 9-1 game almost exactly two years ago. Obviously, the teams have changed since that game - so there is about zero chance history will repeat - but it still stands out as one of the biggest hockey boners in hockey boner history. A guy can dream, can't he?
On one hand, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to call Stralman up just so he can watch the games in a suit. I can't see calling him up so as not to play him. Is practicing with an NHL team that much more beneficial to a young player's development than staying with his current team and becoming comfortable with his game?
On the other hand, it should be noted that the Toronto Marlies don't play at all this week until Saturday. so it's possible that Stralman has been called up simply to spend some time with the Leafs.
This is my theory: Stralman plays. The Leafs have been slowing down significantly in the third period, and even if Stralman is the 7th defenseman dressed, he can pick up 10 minutes of icetime and (hopefully) add something to the Leafs' defensive effort. At the very least, he is a fresh face to a group that hasn't been stellar.
What is the harm in dressing 7 defensemen and only 11 forwards? Paul Maurice plays his 4th liners less than 5 minutes per game - certainly minutes that can be picked up elsewhere by other forwards. So, take out one of your 4th line wingers, and insert Stralman. There really is no down side to the move. The worst than can happen is that remaining wingers may pick up an extra shift over the course of the game in exchange for an extra man on the back end where reinforcements are surely needed.
I am looking forward to the game for two reasons:
[1] Atlanta is one of the few teams currently worse than the Leafs.
[2] The bloodbath (147 penalty minutes) 9-1 game almost exactly two years ago. Obviously, the teams have changed since that game - so there is about zero chance history will repeat - but it still stands out as one of the biggest hockey boners in hockey boner history. A guy can dream, can't he?
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