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NFL Buddha's dog of the week , WOOF WOOF GO, the Cleveland Browns, won handily (17-6 over the Bengals) and didn't need the points. The relatively new NFL picks blog NFL Buddha, Football as it truly is, was only wrong in believing in the Jets, while being on the correct side of all other games except Houston, which was a push at +3.
Another sweet bonus of this National Football League betting tips blog is that it provides a number of Games to Avoid, which are those where the line is too accurate and things could fall on either side of it.
NFL Buddha likes The Fish (+6.5) in the Miami at New Orleans NFL Monday Night Football Tilt.
Toronto Maple Leafs 2013-2014 opening roster at 22 players
With Brodie and Smith placed on waivers, and Devane and Leivo headed to the American Hockey League, it looks like Carter Ashton will stick and be in the Leafs opening night lineup. John-Michael Liles was expected to be placed on waivers and is also likely headed to the Toronto Marlies. The Buds may be looking to pick up a big tough forward (left wing preferably) from the waiver wire, at least until Frazer McLaren returns, though that would require Ashton being parked in the AHL.
Jamie Devane, Trevor Smith, Troy Brodie also headed to Marlies
Here is the current 22-man Toronto Maple Leafs lineup:
Forwards
JVR - Bozak - Kessel
Lupul - Kadri - Raymond
Orr - McClement - Kulemin
Bolland - Ashton
Clarkson (suspended)
McLaren (inj)
Defence
Phaneuf - Gunnarsson
Fraser - Franson
Gardiner - Ranger
Rielly
Net
Reimer
Bernier
If an affordable forward gets picked up in a trade or off waivers or is re-called from the Marlies, look for Reilly to join Clarkson and McLaren in the press box Tuesday evening in Montreal. If there's an injury to Leafs back end, Macwilliam may be the D-man who gets first call-up from AHL.
With Dave Nonis trading Joe Colborne to his former boss Brian Burke's (is he chasing a mistake?) team for a 4th round pick next year, the competition for the 12th and 13th forward spots (at least until Clarkson and McLaren return) has come down to the wire. Joe C never really impressed in Toronto, though he often upped his game when with the Leafs relative to his time with Marlies (as with Kadri). Colborne has big size but doesn't use it, which must have befuddled Carlyle daily.
Here is the current situation up front for the Leafs:
Big Six:
JVR - Bozak - Kessel
Lupul - Kadri - Clarkson (suspended, pencil Raymond in for now)
Third Line
McClement - Bolland - Kulemin
Fourth Line
Here's where it gets tricky, and don't be surprised if the Leafs pick up a center off waivers, after letting Colborne go. McClement or Bolland could be asked to center the fourth line if no C is picked up today or tomorrow. Regardless, there are two openings (Orr will play certain teams) and five bodies:
Carter Ashton, Troy Bodie, Trevor Smith, Jamie Devane and Josh Leivo
Ashton makes a mil per year, more than the others, and can also be sent down without waivers, so look for him to be parked with the Marls for now. While Leivo probably deserves a shot soon, with Clarkson out of the lineup, more experienced players like Brodie and Smith may get the nod, so here is one possibility for a temporary fourth line:
Devane - Smith - Orr
13th forward: Brodie
Leivo and Ashton will be sent to Marlies with encouragement to continue stellar play and be ready for a callup.
Maple Leafs 7th D: Reilly or Liles?
Most commentators assume Liles is going on waivers and ending up with the Marlies but that only frees up 900k or so, whereas if they trade him and pay half his salary that frees up 2 mil. Even if he does go to Marlies, he could be back up if Reilly goes down, but don't hold your breath. The vibes would indicate that Lieweke, Nonis and Carlyle all believe that for the Leafs to be serious Stanley Cup contenders, they will need both Gardiner and Reilly to be dynamic offensive contributors. Add in Franson, and all three leafs pairings could be dangerous.
Here are the perceived D starters:
Top Six
Phaneuf - Gunnarsson
Fraser - Franson
Gardiner - Ranger
7 and 8
Reilly, Liles, MacWilliam
I called the Joe Colborne trade a couple of days ago, and I can't avoid this feeling that some other NHL team is going to cut someone that Nonis and Carlyle want, so stay tuned, the next twenty-eight hours (deadline for rosters is 3pm Monday) will be fascinating for NHL fans.
Cody Franson, Jake Gardiner, and Nazem Kadri were among the few Leafs who really stood out in tonight's pre-season 5-2 loss to Detroit. More kids will be in the lineup tomorrow at the ACC, for both teams, and with a job or two still on the line, could be fun.
Gardiner assisted on both Leaf goals, by Kadri and Joffrey Lupul. Play was mostly uninspired, with both teams looking to stay healthy, though Detroit's power play was unsolvable by the usually stellar Toronto penalty killers. The Red Wings tallied three extra-man markers, versus only one the Buds gave up during the first six exhibitions.
Tuesday in Montreal the real deal begins, then the next night in Philly. I'm looking for Reimer to start in Montreal, and Bernier in Philadelphia.
HELLO Toronto, It's HOCKEY TIME!
Jonathan Bernier will look to prove his value to his team mates and Leafs management.
Let's first look at the horses that will be relied upon extensively:
Forwards
Lupul - Bozak - Phil Kessel
JVR - Kadri - Clarkson
Jay McClement
Defence
Dion Phaneuf
Jake Gardner
Carl Gunnarsson
Goalies
Bernier / Reimer
The next wave should include:
Forwards
Dave Bolland
Nik Kulemin
Defence
Cody Franson (if signed soon)
Mark Fraser (with Kostka gone, more minutes for Mark)
Goal
McIntyre (if Bernier and Reimer are both healthy, will start with Marlies)
That's 17 players, so 16 Leafs if you figure Drew heads to the Marlies net. Twenty-one skaters will likely include thirteen or fourteen forwards and seven or eight defencemen, which means we need four of five forwards, plus two or three on defence, up to four if Cody Franson is not ready to start the 2013-2014 NHL season.
Main contenders:
Forwards
Joe Colborne (needs to clear waivers if sent down, so will make team or be traded)
Mason Raymond (looks like may stay, based on exhibition games)
Frazer McLaren (with Orr injured, pencil Frazer in; now they're both out)
Defence
John Michael-Liles (needs to rebound, still has top four potential)
Morgan Reilly (more likely if Franson holds out or is traded)
Paul Ranger (may be perfect 3rd pairing guy)
If you are with me up to this point, there now remains just one position open, at forward:
Carter Ashton (getting a look at filling the pest role)
Troy Brodie (depth in enforcer ranks)
Jamie Devane (will likely start with Marlies, if McLaren or Orr can be ready in time)
This thirteenth forward position may also be filled via trade or free agent signing, pushing a fourth-liner into the press box.
If there are injuries or upsets, other defencemen in the mix include Holzer, MacWilliam and Brennan.
Leafs have a lot of D contracts expiring at the end of the season, so they want Cody to sign for at least two years. If he gives up the one year idea and goes for an even bigger deal, say three or four years, then Liles would likely be moved, possibly to Calgary, to make room for Franson.
In today's NHL, you need about 30 NHLers to have a successful Stanley Cup run. Look for the Buds to add another free agent signing or two, and soon.
