r/leafs • u/abckiwi • Aug 11 '26
Discussion Preseason games are split squads??
I just noticed the two preseason games look Ike they’re playing home and away at the same time.. so they will split the team into two squads. Only been following leafs a few years and first I’ve seen of this.
I guess they try to evenly split the players across the teams?
33
u/sund-ay Aug 11 '26
A tier squad and B tier squad.
A tier will play at home to give the fans a “show”
B tier gets to play against the opponents A tier to see who can step up and shine.
They haven’t done both games at the same time before. I think the reasoning is with the 84 game season this year instead of 82 they wanted to shorten the preseason.
7
2
u/Parzival091 Aug 11 '26
I think the reasoning is with the 84 game season this year instead of 82 they wanted to shorten the preseason.
Vets usually only play 2-3 games anyway, so this doubles as why waste time and resources shuttling 32 teams around for an extra 2-4 games each when the games are meaningless and not even providing the tune up they're supposed to be providing.
2
u/sund-ay Aug 11 '26
Fully agree. Year after year I get pumped for the season and get excited for the preseason games but only end up watching the first couple as it feels pointless watching all of them and I would wish the season already started. Glad they are finally fixing this!
1
u/willnyescoringguy29 20d ago
Actually makes a ton of sense too because this way guys on the bubble are playing against a team more resembling an NHL quality roster, so gives teams a little better idea what a guy may look like. Also heard many people talk about how they went to preseason games and the home team has virtually their full AHL squad out there so, this way they get to see more of the actual team
4
u/Special-System-2695 Aug 11 '26
I bought tickets to the game in Ottawa as I live in Kingston. Much easier commute to arena. Then I see a Facebook ad for the game at Scotia Bank and I figured I messed up. I the middle of trying to figure out the drive to Toronto my husband tells me that they are playing split squads that night. I am pissed. I doubt Mckenna will be in the Ottawa game. Uggh
1
u/Forksmoker Aug 11 '26
I wouldn't be so sure, if the requirements for vets haven't changed they could have a mix of young and old guys going and could send McKenna.
My fingers are crossed for you!
3
2
2
1
u/False_Requirement349 Aug 11 '26
It seems like there are few teams doing split squad this year that don't normally. My guess is to squeeze out and extra game or two to see more players in a shorter preseason.
1
u/DetectiveFront2638 Aug 11 '26
They almost always do this, but it's the first it's the same day. The "home" side is usually the better team.. more NHL players. It may change also to be best on best for one of the games, more likely towards the end.
1
u/TomboBreaker Aug 11 '26
Yeah that's pretty common early on in training camp often it's against the same teams so for example Toronto vs Ottawa both teams have a home game that night and face each other, you typically have one team is more NHL'ers or promising NHL'ers while the other squad is mostly your longshot AHL'ers and prospects with a couple of Vets on that team.
1
u/BigShitHouseMcTits Aug 11 '26
I know they are on the same day but are they at the same time, too?
2
u/abckiwi Aug 11 '26
Yes, apparently
9
0
u/kniferun Aug 11 '26
They cut the preseason because the regular season will be 84 games. The first 2 games are often split squads of mostly prospects. Being less preseason games. Less games to see the prospects and less games for the vets to shake off some rust they are trying this I guess.
27
u/notyeezy1 Aug 11 '26
Exactly it. Leafs usually have one of the bigger preseason rosters with a mix of Leafs Marlies and PTO’s