Jesusberg

Which is something I'd never consider happening to this team with Babcock in charge. Now... who knows. Management seems really impressed by Larkin. If he continues to impress them, who knows.

I'm curious as to what happens when (if?) Helm returns next week. Do they waive Andersson or send Larkin down to Grand Rapids?

I think leaving Glendening on the outside looking in is a pretty big stretch. If anything, I think Glendening being on the 3rd line is indicative of Blash having a higher opinion of him than the guys used on the 4th. It's not like he's Pulkkinen and suited for a scoring line - he's the prototypical 4C. I can't imagine him being left out of the lineup for Andersson or Ferraro. A by-product of having Larkin make the team though, right? It likely pushes one of those guys out. Otherwise, we're looking at Jurco or Pulkkinen on the fourth line next to Miller-Glendening. Zetterberg-Larkin-Abdelkader Tatar-Richards-Nyquist Jurco/Pulks-Sheahan-Franzen Miller-Glendening-Ferraro/Cleary/Andersson With Kindl on the IR, they're carrying 15 forwards and 6 defensemen.

I didn't like the Cleary signing when it happened - I still don't. He hasn't taken a job from anyone "better", though. Cleary's the 14th forward - a placeholder until Helm and Datsyuk return. If Ferraro is waived before Cleary, then there's something to complain about. You're not going to have Athanasiou or Mantha sit every night in the NHL, instead of playing first-line minutes in the AHL.

I think his skating alone makes him special enough to play on the bottom pair. He's got great mobility on the blueline, he can rush the puck up the ice and get back to cover his position quickly. During the TC training camp, he spent some time as Ouellet's partner. While XO roamed, Jensen covered for him. His speed allows him to play a solid two-way game. I also think he has a solid first pass out of the defensive zone. Ouellet might have better instincts, but I think the way Jensen performed during the preseason is enough reason to keep him up over Ouellet right now. At the very least, he deserves a shot to show what he can do during the regular season in the NHL.

I'm floored he made the team, based on how they've operated in the past. It's crazy to think the kid basically went from possibly being sent down to Grand Rapids, to centering the top line. Not shocked that Callahan, Miele and Lashoff went unclaimed.

Richards getting his SC ring is the source of all my Twitter-related issues today.

You stop it right now. Ken Holland is the devil and he hates youth.

I mean, it could be Andersson. We don't know for sure that it's Cleary vs. Larkin.

You Owe Larkin One?

Forgot Marchenko was hurt. I'm a little bummed about Jensen, too. I thought he did a fantastic job during the preseason. Good for Ouellet, though. Seems as if they're debating whether or not to waive Cleary/Andersson so Larkin can stay up.

Just speculating here, but I think this is the roster they're going with: Abdelkader-Zetterberg-Nyquist Jurco-Richards-Tatar Pulkkinen-Sheahan-Franzen Miller-Glendening-Ferraro Andersson, Cleary Datsyuk (IR) Helm (IR) Kronwall-Ericsson Quincey-Green Smith-Marchenko/Jensen Kindl DeKeyser (IR) Howard Mrazek They waived Miele and Callahan up front. The rest of the forwards (the prospects) outside of the ones I listed are waiver-exempt. I think if Larkin was on the team, they would have waived Cleary today. On the blueline, I think one of the kids is going to make it since they waived Lashoff. I doubt they'll keep Marchenko or Jensen as the 7th defender, so I'm guessing they'll get in some games.

Miele is a Darren Haydar type player - high scoring in the AHL, but it doesn't necessarily translate to the NHL. It would be great for Grand Rapids if he made it through, but it really won't hurt Detroit if someone picks him up. Out of the three, I think Callahan has the highest chance of being claimed, but with his ACL tear last year and most teams waiving their own players, my gut says he'll pass through.

Potential unpopular opinions: - I think Jimmy's earned the right to start next week in the opener. He's been solid all preseason. - I still think Larkin should start in the AHL. He's good, but he can be great. Just needs to bulk up and fine-tune a few aspects of his game. - Drew Miller has mad value, yo.

Can I give Miller credit without giving credit to Cleary, too?

I almost wonder if they're considering Larkin over Jurco/Pulkkinen for a spot in the lineup (would explain why Jurco's been skating on a line with fringe players). Maybe they're firm on keeping Sheahan at center, and want to see how Larkin looks on the wing. It would mean waiving one of Andersson or Ferraro if Helm's ready for the season opener. Just spitballing here, of course. Abdelkader-Zetterberg-Nyquist Larkin-Richards-Tatar Franzen-Sheahan-Helm Miller-Glendening-Ferraro/Andersson Jurco, Pulkkinen

The one thing kind of throwing me off is that Jurco is skating with the other group, again. He was with Nosek-Ferraro last game, so I'm assuming it'll be the same tomorrow night. Kind of weird to see him leading the team in plus-minus (+6) and stuck with a group that looks to be the 12th-14th forwards. At the very least, you'd think he'd be in over Miele.

These are the Leafs' projected lines. Per https://twitter.com/HennyTweets : Projected lineup for the Toronto Maple #Leafs as they take on the Detroit #RedWingstonight in pre-season action: JVR-Kadri-Winnik Matthias-Bozak-Lupul Komarov-Holland-Hyman Panik-Arcobello-Kapanen Phaneuf-Robidas Rielly-Polak Gardiner-Marincin James Reimer is in net.

Ansar Khan ‏@AnsarKhanMLive 15s15 seconds ago DeKeyser has strained ligament in left foot, out 3-4 weeks, Ken Holland said.

This sucks big time. I was really looking forward to the DeKeyser-Green pairing.

I kind of just condensed the timeline. Saw Datsyuk leaving Andersson being waived and sort of lumped it all in together.

I definitely think some are likely. If we're being specific to next season, I see Richards, Quincey, Miller and Andersson moving on. I'm not totally sold on Datsyuk retiring a year early; Franzen's more likely. I also think one of Smith/Kindl gets moved this year (or in the offseason), and one gets to finish his contract. I'd prefer to see Ouellet, Marchenko AND Jensen up next season, but I think it'll be two of the three. Sproul's on the outside looking in right now, IMO. I can see a battle between some of the skilled players, but I think Nyquist is safe. I wouldn't be surprised to see Jurco and Pulkkinen pitted against each other, though. Different style of player, but they're going to feel a push from Mantha and Bertuzzi. I'm torn on the Helm thing, but I'm definitely hoping for it. It just doesn't make sense to keep him with Larkin and Athanasiou on their way up soon.

That's a ton of turnover. I can't tell if you're being cheeky or not...

Them's fightin' words 'round here. I'm inclined to agree with him needing to build some strength. While I think he could work on his shot, he's got solid accuracy and a good release. Could add more zip to it, though. In addition, I've noticed that he has a tendency to overskate the puck. He's pretty good at erasing his "mistakes", though. Just needs to refine a few things.

Just wow. What a nice play by all three guys.