Leafs experimenting with an all-Swedish power play unit
The Leafs are a much deeper team than we've seen in the past - that much is evident this season. The Buds have had a bevy of different combinations up and down the lineup, at forward, defense and in goal this season and are still sitting 3rd in the NHL and 2nd in the Atlantic Division.
To that point, the Buds appear to be trying something that we haven't seen before in Toronto. During practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Leafs deployed an all-Swedish 2nd PP unit, consisting of Calle Jarnkrok, Pontus Holmberg, Pierre Engvall, Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren.
The Leafs' power play has not been its usual potent self this year and with Auston Matthews currently sidelined due to a knee injury, Sheldon Keefe is trying anything and everything he can think of to try to maximize his lineup. Something like an all-Swedish power play unit could be a lot of fun to watch, given the skill and work ethic with which these players have played this season.
Rasmus Sandin was asked following the morning skate on Wednesday what language the all-Swede PP unit speaks when they're out on the ice together. Sandin, again with his sensational sense of humour, simply looked at TSN's Mark Masters and said with a smirk:
Have I mentioned before how much I love this kid? LOL
Earlier this season, during a special Borje Salming celebration weekend, the Leafs iced a starting line of all Swedes, featuring William Nylander, Calle Jarnkrok, Pierre Engvall, Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Lijegren, with Erik Kallgren in net, which was such a respectful, heartwarming gesture and a beautiful nod of appreciation for Salming just a couple of weeks before his passing. You just know that Borje would be loving this.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 1 | 110 ANSWERS Leafs experimenting with an all-Swedish power play unit Will the all-Swedish PP unit score a goal for the Leafs tonight? | ||
| Yes | 67 | 60.9 % |
| No | 43 | 39.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
