2022 Line Combinations

[LeafEgo]

Non-leafer here, and had a quick question. Why doesn't Marner play with Tavares? I feel like Matthews is going to be a goal threat on every shift regardless of who he plays with, and Nylander can still enter the zone at an elite level. Meanwhile, Tavares had his best goal scoring season with Marner on his wing. Wouldn't it balance out scoring and bring out the best in both lines with Marner on the second line?

There has been a lot of talk about that. You're basically trying to establish what will give you the most value out of the top two lines combined.

Personally I like the idea of trying Marner back with JT to get two equally dangerous top lines, but with the Bunting-Matty-Marner line being maybe the best in the league last year the idea becomes tougher to sell.

We're also one top 6 winger short now which makes it more complicated.

 

[Face Of Bear]

I think ZAR-Kampf-NAK can be a real good shut down/energy line for us. If we sign ZAR then there is one roster spot left between Robertson/Gaudette/Simmonds/Abruzzese/Anderson/Holmberg/Malgin. Best case scenario imo is Robertson showing he's ready to play full time:

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Engvall-Tavares-Nylander
Robertson-Kerfoot-Jarnkrok
ZAR-Kampf-NAK

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Gio-Liljegren

Engvall/Kerfoot/Jarnkrok can be juggled around the middle-6 to find the right mix.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Please no Kerfoot Tavares Nylander unit and Muzzin Holl pairing.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I really think we have to have Tavares and Nylander on separate lines.

If management doesn't want to call JT 3C, then call them 2A and 2B, and let them fight for ice time.

 

[francis246]

Non-leafer here, and had a quick question. Why doesn't Marner play with Tavares? I feel like Matthews is going to be a goal threat on every shift regardless of who he plays with, and Nylander can still enter the zone at an elite level. Meanwhile, Tavares had his best goal scoring season with Marner on his wing. Wouldn't it balance out scoring and bring out the best in both lines with Marner on the second line?

Keefe is an idiot that that’s why. Marner and Tavares playing together I think is the key to us having success.

 

[IPS]

Please no Kerfoot Tavares Nylander unit and Muzzin Holl pairing.

Both are going to be reunited when the season starts. Count on it.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Both are going to be reunited when the season starts. Count on it.

Yes I know lol.

 

[-DeMo-]

I think people are sleeping on Kerfoot this is his most important year in the league for him personally and financially. this year determines his next contract, you will probably never see Kerfoot as motivated as this year.

 

[Torontonian]

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Kerfoot - Tavares - Nylander
Engvall - Jankrok - Robertson
ZAR - Kampf - NAK

Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Lilly
Sandin - Gio.

Gives the top 9 lines a scoring threat/ability to put the puck in the net and gives you a hard 4th line with some defensive responsibility. You could always swap Robertson for Kerfoot but I don't think Keefe does that.

 

[Menzinger]

If Robertson makes it I think he gets a chance on the Nylander/JT line. Kerfoot better suited for the third linez especially defensively

 

[andora]

Bunting / Matthews / Marner
Anderson / Tavares / Jarnkrok
Robertson / Holmberg / Nylander
Engvall / Kampf / Aston-Reese
Aube kubel rotate

Rielly / Liljegren
Muzzin / Brodie
Sandin / giordano

 

[Joel Ward]

Bunting - Matthews - Nylander
Robertson - Tavares - Marner
Kerfoot - Engvall - Jarnkrok
ZAR - Kampf - NAK
Simmer

Rielly - Brodie
Giordano - Liljegren
Muzzin - Sandin

Top line still should be elite even with Nylander swapped for Marner. Put Robertson in a position to succeed and build confidence while also optimizing Johnny. 3rd line can skate and chip in a little offense from time to time. The fourth line should drive the opposition insane.

The top pair is strong, although maybe flip Liljegren and Brodie, depending on chemistry. The bottom two pairings are pretty much interchangeable, just don't want Gio and Muzz on at the same time.

 

[jaric1862]

Assuming Sandin re-signs...

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Jarnkrok
Z.A.R-Gaudette-N.A.K

Muzzin-Brodie
Giordano-Rielly
Sandin-Liljergren

Extra: Simmonds

 

[notDatsyuk]

Keefe is an idiot that that’s why. Marner and Tavares playing together I think is the key to us having success.

I think it's a waste putting either Marner or Nylander with Tavares. Yes, it will boost his numbers some, but it makes them worse and doesn't really help the team.

 

[GreatDayforHockey]

Best case scenario imo is Robertson showing he's ready to play full time".
actually the "Best case scenario" is for the now 25 year old Denis Malgin to prove in pre-season games that he is ready to fullfill his potential and be a top 6 scorer. Look at all the top level NHL'ers he excelled with at World Championships just a few months ago: Elite Prospects - WC Stats 2021-2022 Note that while he scored 5 goals and 7 assists for12 points in 8 games, in those very same 8 games all of his Swiss teammates Nico Hischier, Pius Suter and Timo Meier each scored just 8 points!

 

[A1LeafNation]

Bunting Matthews Marner
Knies Tavares Nylander
Engvall Kerfoot Jankrok
Aston-Reese Kampf Aube-Kubel
Clifford

Rielly Brodie
Giordano Liljegren
Sandin Holl
Benn

Murray
Samsonov

Muzzin for picks.

Gaudette Robertson Malgin can take turns until Knies season ends.

 

[francis246]

I think it's a waste putting either Marner or Nylander with Tavares. Yes, it will boost his numbers some, but it makes them worse and doesn't really help the team.

What? Marner is 100% not a worse player with Tavares. If anything he’s even better with Tavares. Their play style works so well together.

Additionally it makes our offense more balanced

 

[zeke]

Bunting-Matthews-Marner is the best line in hockey.

ZAR-Kampf--NAK would be one helluva 4th line.

Tavares/Nylander/Kerfoot/Jarnkrok/Engvall/Kids is a great mix of talent for the 2nd/3rd lines but I'm not sure which combo will work best.

 

[Clyde Brewer]

How would Evan Rodrigues look at C on 3rd line?

How much would he cost?

 

[zeke]

How would Evan Rodrigues look at C on 3rd line?

How much would he cost?

He's more of a W than a C tbh. He might be good but aside from his scorching hot first half last year he's never really produced.

He'd be a decent pickup but at the same time we might want to give some kids a shot instead

 

[Stephen]

Bunting Matthews Marner
Knies Tavares Nylander
Engvall Kerfoot Jankrok
Aston-Reese Kampf Aube-Kubel
Clifford

Rielly Brodie
Giordano Liljegren
Sandin Holl
Benn

Murray
Samsonov

Muzzin for picks.

Gaudette Robertson Malgin can take turns until Knies season ends.

Kind of wish we had Nugent-Hopkins to center Aube-Kubel and Aston Reese. What an epic hyphenated line that would be.

 

[jaric1862]

A lot of people seem to have Robertson pencilled in in their top 6. If Robertson is going to play there, he’s going to have to have a flawless camp. I’m not banking on it.

 

[Clyde Brewer]

A lot of people seem to have Robertson pencilled in in their top 6. If Robertson is going to play there, he’s going to have to have a flawless camp. I’m not banking on it.

Hey, I'm hoping he scores 40 goals, but I really don't think he's ready for a full NHL season- especially on the 2nd line.

 

[zeke]

A lot of people seem to have Robertson pencilled in in their top 6. If Robertson is going to play there, he’s going to have to have a flawless camp. I’m not banking on it.

Personally I'd like to see him get a shot regardless of how camp goes. He earned it by being the best producer on the Marlies last year at only age 20.

But not necessarily top-6. Kerfoot Jarnkrok and Engvall are also in the mix to play on that Tavares line.

And Robertson isn't the only kid I'm interested in seeing get a shot - I'd also like to see Holmberg, Steeves, Anderson in the mix too.


1st: Bunting - Matthews - Marner
4th: ZAR - Kampf - NAK

and then Tavares Nylander Engvall Kerfoot Jarnkrok plus one kid (Robertson, Anderson, Holmberg, Steeves, Abruzzese) mixing and matching for the 2nd and 3rd lines.

 

[Notsince67]

Personally I'd like to see him get a shot regardless of how camp goes. He earned it by being the best producer on the Marlies last year at only age 20.

But not necessarily top-6. Kerfoot Jarnkrok and Engvall are also in the mix to play on that Tavares line.

And Robertson isn't the only kid I'm interested in seeing get a shot - I'd also like to see Holmberg, Steeves, Anderson in the mix too.


1st: Bunting - Matthews - Marner
4th: ZAR - Kampf - NAK

and then Tavares Nylander Engvall Kerfoot Jarnkrok plus one kid (Robertson, Anderson, Holmberg, Steeves, Abruzzese) mixing and matching for the 2nd and 3rd lines.

I cannot understand how anyone could think Kerfoot with Tavares and Nylander is a viable line after watching them play together