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14 Apr 2021 01:41:10
I kinda want to see Robertson with marner and Matthews.
14 Apr 2021 07:07:59
I'm not sure Robertson is ready right now. I think he's being jerked around a bit too much. Playoffs-AHL-injury-AHL-taxi squad-injury-AHL-Taxi squad-NHL it's a lot on a young cat.
Personally I think his development is being hurt right now. I would like to see him have a permanent spot in the AHL for the rest of the season.
13 Apr 2021 21:47:44
Same as you have the Hero line of JT, MM and AM when your down late in a game I would love to see a shutdown line late in games with the lead.
Foligno Nash Simmonds
A line like this may have made the difference against Boston late in games.
14 Apr 2021 01:21:20
Foligno Nash micheyev, Simmonds isn't great defensively, I'd also be fine with Hyman on it.
14 Apr 2021 05:13:10
Avoided Hyman because I would like him on the top line. Mikheyev fits well too.
13 Apr 2021 14:00:53
I have to give Dubas credit. He made some good moves and was creative while doing it. He also seems to have realized that "toughness" is needed for the playoffs.
These are the lines I would try when Willy is healthy to play.
Galchenyuk Matthews Marner
Foligno Tavares Hyman
Mikheyev Engvall Nylander
Robertson/Thornton Spezza Simmonds
Hutton is for depth.
The tandem of Campbell and Rittich should be solid.
Leafs/Dubas have built a very solid looking playoff type of team with lots of depth at every position. Well done Leafs.
13 Apr 2021 15:05:32
I’d like to see them try Foligno between Hyman and Simmonds. That would be a tenacious line to play against.
Does anyone expect Matthews and Marner to be able to play 22+ minutes a game in the playoffs?
We need a strong third line. Any plug beside Matthews and Marner would do. Hyman and Foligno are both play drivers. Along with Simmonds, they would turn the third line into something that resembles a proper checking line. That can also provide secondary scoring.
Mikheyev has cement hands. He couldn’t score a goal if I was in net. But he does everything else well . Put him on the top line. He’s an upgrade over Thornton.
13 Apr 2021 21:45:15
I wouldn't put Hyman anywhere but top line. Anyone else noticed Mathews and Marner were in a slump until Hyman returned? I would keep that line as is.
Hyman Mathews Marner
Gally Tavares Nylander
Robertson Foligno Simmons
Mikheyev Engvall Spezza
I'm sure Jumbo stays in the lineup though. No way he came here to sit in the press box. Kerfoot also wouldn't be sitting out since that would make Dubas look the fool in the Kadri trade.
Above is just my take on an optimal lineup. When Riley Nash comes in for the playoffs you bump down any one of Mikheyev, Engvall or Robertson. Whoever is playing worse and make Nash your 3C.
Reilly Brodie
Muzzin Holl
Dermott Bogosian
Nothing new to add here. If injuries happen you have Sandin/ Liljigren. Not sure if Niemela can join the team but he was D of the year in Finland so maybe give him a look in emergency situation.
14 Apr 2021 00:42:06
Nash is 4C not 3C. I'm sure everyone here knew what I meant anyway though lol.
13 Apr 2021 10:10:00
Starting lineup
Hyman Matthews marner
Galchenyuk Tavares mikheyev
Foligno Kerfoot nylander
Thornton spezza simmonds
When down
Tavares Matthews marner
Hyman foligno nylander
Galchenyuk spezza simmonds
Thornton kerfoot Mikheyev
When up
Hyman foligno Mikheyev
Kerfoot Matthews marner
Galchenyuk Tavares simmonds
Thornton spezza nylander
Engvall Robertson
The D
Rielly Brodie
Muzzin holl
Dermott bogosian
Hutton liljegren
13 Apr 2021 21:45:45
I would greatly prefer Engvall to Kerfoot but I see why you did that.
13 Apr 2021 04:05:33
Anyone else notice the Leafs making some interesting plays lately.
The other night on the power play they had three guys line up in front of the net. I’ve never seen that formation before.
Tonight I saw Matthews feed the puck to Muzzin to send Muzzin into the offensive zone while Matthews hung back and covered the blue line. He did a pretty good job too, as the play got turned over and Matthews was responsible for stopping the puck carrier. Which he did. By knocking him down. Good job Matthews.
Robertson in the lineup. At one point I saw a Galchenyuk/ Matthews/ Mikheyev lineup. He pulled the goaltender tonight with almost 3:00 minutes remaining.
It’s like Keefe is taking the time to experiment. Given we are so far ahead right now, why not try new things?
I’m glad to see the team taking the time to work on new projects and ideas and give new players opportunity. Hopefully Liljegren gets a game next. I mean, let’s face it, what harm can he do?
13 Apr 2021 15:38:52
I still hate the concept of pulling the goalie before you have possession, a dump in is a 50/ 50 play, pulling the goalie there is to risky. Especially at 3 minutes, if there's only a minute left go for it, but at 3 minutes you still have time to get your possession then pull.
14 Apr 2021 05:29:39
Not a big fan of that either @AF7. in some circumstances I get it but most of the time it just gives me a heart attack.
13 Apr 2021 03:18:27
What do people think is our best playoff lineup ? Below is the best I can come up with.
Alex g / Matthews / Marner
Foligno / Tavares / Nylander
Hyman / kerfoot / Ilya
Spezza / Nash / Simmonds
Other
Thornton
Robertson
Engerval
I think keefe has Nash penciled in for 4th line center which should relegate engerval. Keefe is super bullish on rash based on press conference and nash is amazing defensively. Can't really take time from spezza IMO as he has been so good. Thornton seems like odd man out and we still don't know if Robertson is accretive - my view is he just seems like he would take simmonds before anyone else.
What do people think ?
13 Apr 2021 06:18:15
Engvall plays higher up the depth chart right now than Kerfoot.
Hard to say Thornton doesn't play. Been wondering that myself.
13 Apr 2021 11:32:12
I think Nash is going to play on the third line center position he’s a defensive centre and keefe has wanted that third line to be a shutdown line my prediction is
Galchenyuk matthews marner
Foligno Tavares Nylander
Mikheyev Nash Hyman
Simmonds Kerfoot Spezza
Thornton engvall
The leafs need to start using Thornton better he should not be dressed every game.
14 Apr 2021 00:43:44
Hyman and Gally look good in the top 6 so far. I'm more leaving towards Nash and Foligno being the bottom 6 centres. Foligno would look good beside Mathews/ Marner though in my opinion. Both are making great strides in the defensive side of the game but Foligno can show them how a true defensive forward plays.
12 Apr 2021 19:53:59
So these are the lines I would roll out for playoffs.
Hyman Matthews Marner
Galchenyuk Tavares Nylander
Foligno Kerfoot Simmonds
Mikheyev Nash Spezza
Thornton in case of injury or if someone isn't playing well.
12 Apr 2021 22:49:07
Kerfoot is not a capable centre. He’s not.
Foligno or Engvall as 3C and put Kerfoot on the 4th line somewhere.
Hyman/ Matthews/ Marner
Galchenyuk/ Tavares/ Nylander
Foligno/ Engvall/ Simmonds
Thornton/ Kerfoot/ Spezza
*Mikheyev, Nash (IR)
Mikheyev has done nothing to prove he deserves a spot ahead of any of these players on this team. He is a good player. Fast. Well liked. But the results aren’t there. Him and Thornton can rotate in and out of the lineup.
Trade Kerfoot in the off season or expose him for Seattle and hope they take him. $3.5M for a 4th line player who can’t play centre is too much.
13 Apr 2021 06:19:06
I would rather use Mikheyev than Kerfoot. I like his style and effort better.
13 Apr 2021 08:05:26
You convinced me. I agree. Bench Kerfoot and play Mikheyev.
13 Apr 2021 15:42:11
And I mean he's (micheyev) having a down offensive year but he is probably our best penalty killer, I'd honestly just say sorry Thornton you're not pulling your weight, you've had a hell of a career but you are a spare piece on this team, we will use you if there are injuries.
14 Apr 2021 00:44:35
Jumbo and Kerfoot are my picks to sit. The problem is Dubas. I can't see a world in which they don't play barring injury.
12 Apr 2021 17:34:23
The additions of Nick Foligno and Big Save Dave have given clear signs the Leafs are prepared to go all the way.
While not exactly going all in, Dubas has upped the ante enough to make the rest of the table sweat.
Dubas is very much holding his breath right now. The stakes just got a lot higher. The possible reward is greater. The consequences of losing are even more severe.
All Leafs Nation is rejoicing just now. Foligno was a popular choice. Probably the most popular of rumoured players. A middle six forward capable of both centre and the penalty kill. He was a good choice.
While being better than completely useless is a bar low enough even Kerfoot can jump. It is only by the smallest increment. I feel much more confident in Foligno holding that spot on the third line. Whether centre or wing.
The more exciting news for me is the acquisition of Big Save Dave.
This is not a backup goalie. This is a man capable of playing starting goalie. A guy that is above “replacement level”. A player that is proven NHL caliber. Someone we can trust to do at least as good as job as Andersen. Or better.
The likelihood of Andersen ever playing for the Leafs again has been reduced to basically nothing.
Wish you the best Freddie. Sorry about your luck.
Hopefully you played enough games this year that if the Leafs win the cup, you get your name on it too. You probably deserve it.
Though a few jerks in the fan and media base might not agree.
14 Apr 2021 00:46:55
I agree Freddy is probably fine. If Freddy comes back before playoffs what's the plan? Going to run a short roster with 3 goalies? I just don't see how this works.
Soup/ Rittich is a good tandem. If need be Freddy can still play if injuries happen as well.
This year's draft is going to be some nonsense. Scouting is way down. That pick is also a first round exit pick at best. It's not a top 15. I'm happy to hang on to prospects instead.