{allcanada} SCRIVENS COULD HAVE SHOT WITH LEAFS

 

The Toronto Star projects that Marlies coach Dallas Eakins' club could face a dramatic shakeup in the next week if the NHL settles its labour war with its players. Perhaps six, maybe more, of his best players could be skating at the Maple Leafs training camp, with some making the big club.

Is he worried the heart of his Western Conference-leading club (20-9-1-2) could be gutted?

Not one bit.

"We have enough players here if we lose two or lose five. We've got enough players to be covered," Eakins said on Thursday after practice at the Ricoh Coliseum following Wednesday night's 6-0 romp over the Hamilton Bulldogs. "We've had to put a number of guys in the East Coast League, who we haven't forgotten. We've got lots of players to fill holes if the need arises."

Goalie Ben Scrivens will also challenge James Reimer for a spot — and possibly veteran Roberto Luongo should the long-rumoured trade with Vancouver happen.

Scrivens is starting to provide the same type of stellar netminding he gave the Marlies last season en route to winning the Western Conference title and reaching the Calder Cup finals. Eakins said there is no doubt Scrivens could have a shot when and if the Leafs open camp.

"In a shortened season, it's not going to be hey, we lost game five or six, no big deal. If you lose game five or six in a shortened season it's a huge deal." Eakins said. "As soon as they drop that puck, Day One, you're in a playoff race. And the most important position on your team is a goaltender.

"If you're a team where your two NHL goalies have been sitting around and not playing anywhere. There is going to be an adjustment process. A week of training camp just isn't enough. So the guys, who have been playing overseas or in the AHL are definitely going to be better prepared to accept the workload.

"I've seen it many times. Guys, who miss training camp or have a shortened camp, a lot of times there are injuries. They don't get up to speed very quickly. It's not just going to be the goaltenders. Leaguewide you may see rashes of injuries like you've never seen before."

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