2022 Line Combinations

[LeafParade]

Based on Tavares's history of producing with blue collar wingers, he will probably work between Engvall and Jarnkrok. He seems to not always jell with very skilled players.

And I've liked what I've seen from Robertson/Kerfoot/Nylander. So I feel like the lines are obvious. Malgin sticks around while Tavares is out to see if there is anything there worth keeping.

 

[mapleleaf979]

Robertson-Tavares-Nylander looked good to me last year. Robertson can be the binder between the 3 of them. Robertson can puck hunt and battle with Tavares along the wall which Tavares is good at it, Robertson can also mesh with Nylander on the rush or be the shooter to Nylander playmaking and puck carrying skills. In this sense, Tavares is locked in consistently because he can work all the time with Robertson even if Nylander is on vacation that night. Robertson overall can mesh with both those guys in different ways, which overall can help that unit mesh.

 

[therealkoho]

Why are you always here?

Somebody needs to make a point occasionally

 

[zeke]

Robertson-Tavares-Nylander looked good to me last year.

True they were pretty good. Tho Robbie looks like he's leveled up since then.

 

[The Masters]

 

[leafsfan5]

My biggest concern is a lack of scoring from the bottom 6 come playoff time

Engvall - Kerfoot - Jarnkrok
ZAR - Kampf - NAK

Who is scoring out of those guys? The 4th line is pure defense, and the third line has combined for a total of 8 goals in 129 playoff games (holy shit that's awful)! Depth scoring is why we lost last year, we cannot have this repeat again

The way I see it, we have a couple of solutions:

A.) A trade to upgrade the middle 6 at the TDL
B.) Drop Nylander to line 3 and spread the depth around more. This is all contingent on Tavares being able to carry a line. Acquiring a top 6 winger at the TDL could also make this possible
C.) Hope someone like Malgin can slot into line 3 and provide a scoring touch

 

[leafsfan5]

Panthers tied for 3 in cup odds is hilarious

They can't play defense and their solution was to hire Paul Maurice and trade their 2nd best defenseman. They're like the 17-18 Leafs

 

[MaKarter]

Kerfoot, Marner, Kampf, ZAR and NAK can kill penalties.

Hey I am just stopping by to see potential line-ups for Fantasy hockey (deep league looking mostly at Robertson) but Aube-Kubel doesn't kill penalties nor would you want him to.

He is a high tempo forechecker but not a real great defensive forward. He will take silly penalties but he was able to limit those once he settled-in in Colorado.

 

[TMLAM34]

My biggest concern is a lack of scoring from the bottom 6 come playoff time

Engvall - Kerfoot - Jarnkrok
ZAR - Kampf - NAK

Who is scoring out of those guys? The 4th line is pure defense, and the third line has combined for a total of 8 goals in 129 playoff games (holy shit that's awful)! Depth scoring is why we lost last year, we cannot have this repeat again

The way I see it, we have a couple of solutions:

A.) A trade to upgrade the middle 6 at the TDL
B.) Drop Nylander to line 3 and spread the depth around more. This is all contingent on Tavares being able to carry a line. Acquiring a top 6 winger at the TDL could also make this possible
C.) Hope someone like Malgin can slot into line 3 and provide a scoring touch

Depends on how Robertson plays IMO.

If Robertson, Kerfoot and Nylander continue to click, I’d leave those three together even when JT returns.

Slot JT in the middle of Engvall and Jarnkrok and you got 3 very good lines who can score.

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Robertson - Kerfoot - Nylander
Engvall - Tavares - Jarnkrok
Aston Reese - Kampf - Aube Kubel

 

[Puckstuff]

Based on Tavares's history of producing with blue collar wingers, he will probably work between Engvall and Jarnkrok. He seems to not always jell with very skilled players.

And I've liked what I've seen from Robertson/Kerfoot/Nylander. So I feel like the lines are obvious. Malgin sticks around while Tavares is out to see if there is anything there worth keeping.

I love this thinking and I think it can work but can Tavares keep up with Engvall? Regardless this has to be one of the preferred options.

Another alternative if they don’t sign ZAR is using Holmberg with Tavares and Jarnkrok as Holmberg is another one of those blue collar guys that can fit with just about anyone. That would allow Engvall to go on the Kampf and Aube-Kubel line similar to the Engvall-Kampf-Mikheyev line from last year giving us 4 good lines.


Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Robertson-Kerfoot-Nylander
Holmberg-Tavares-Jarnkrok
Engvall-Kampf-Aube-Kubel

 

[Jeffrey Pedler]

My biggest concern is a lack of scoring from the bottom 6 come playoff time

Engvall - Kerfoot - Jarnkrok
ZAR - Kampf - NAK

Who is scoring out of those guys? The 4th line is pure defense, and the third line has combined for a total of 8 goals in 129 playoff games (holy shit that's awful)! Depth scoring is why we lost last year, we cannot have this repeat again

The way I see it, we have a couple of solutions:

A.) A trade to upgrade the middle 6 at the TDL
B.) Drop Nylander to line 3 and spread the depth around more. This is all contingent on Tavares being able to carry a line. Acquiring a top 6 winger at the TDL could also make this possible
C.) Hope someone like Malgin can slot into line 3 and provide a scoring touch

Agree, in order to get scoring in the bottom 6, Kerfoot and Engvall will probably need to go. Especially if you want to aquire a top 6 winger at the deadline.

The biggest problem is finding a way To shed cap.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

It's time for Leaf fans to put out their final Starting Line up for this years' Toronto Maple Leafs.

 

[Dayjobdave]

I like the idea of Jarnkrok with Tavares.

 

[notbias]

My biggest concern is a lack of scoring from the bottom 6 come playoff time

Engvall - Kerfoot - Jarnkrok
ZAR - Kampf - NAK

Who is scoring out of those guys? The 4th line is pure defense, and the third line has combined for a total of 8 goals in 129 playoff games (holy shit that's awful)! Depth scoring is why we lost last year, we cannot have this repeat again

The way I see it, we have a couple of solutions:

A.) A trade to upgrade the middle 6 at the TDL
B.) Drop Nylander to line 3 and spread the depth around more. This is all contingent on Tavares being able to carry a line. Acquiring a top 6 winger at the TDL could also make this possible
C.) Hope someone like Malgin can slot into line 3 and provide a scoring touch

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

really think this is our ideal line

I think that the second line surprises a lot of people

 

[leafsfan5]

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

really think this is our ideal line

I think that the second line surprises a lot of people

I've been asking for Willy on line 3 for quite some time, would love for this to be the case. It finally gives us the depth scoring we lack

The only question is can Tavares drive that 2nd line well enough at this point

 

[Griffin76]

My biggest concern is a lack of scoring from the bottom 6 come playoff time

Engvall - Kerfoot - Jarnkrok
ZAR - Kampf - NAK

Who is scoring out of those guys? The 4th line is pure defense, and the third line has combined for a total of 8 goals in 129 playoff games (holy shit that's awful)! Depth scoring is why we lost last year, we cannot have this repeat again

The way I see it, we have a couple of solutions:

A.) A trade to upgrade the middle 6 at the TDL
B.) Drop Nylander to line 3 and spread the depth around more. This is all contingent on Tavares being able to carry a line. Acquiring a top 6 winger at the TDL could also make this possible
C.) Hope someone like Malgin can slot into line 3 and provide a scoring touch

So what is decent number that should be expected from a bottom 6 in total goals?

 

[notbias]

I've been asking for Willy on line 3 for quite some time, would love for this to be the case. It finally gives us the depth scoring we lack

The only question is can Tavares drive that 2nd line well enough at this point

I don't like how Tavares has been used here... he has made a career of making average players look good, he is Crosby-lite in that sense.

Give him two hard-working players with a little bit of skill and he probably still puts up close to PPG

 

[leafsfan5]

So what is decent number that should be expected from a bottom 6 in total goals?

There's not some specific number but is 8 goals in 129 playoff games not a concern for you? Which of those bottom 6 guys have a scoring touch?

From games 5-7 of the TB series the only players to score were the big 4 + Rielly. Not one depth goal. A single goal from the depth in games 6/7 and we're potentially moving on

I don't like how Tavares has been used here... he has made a career of making average players look good, he is Crosby-lite in that sense.

Give him two hard-working players with a little bit of skill and he probably still puts up close to PPG

I agree, Crosby-lite is a great description for him and his play style. To a certain extent our cap structure also demands for him with average players. Our top players need to carry their own lines

Keeping Matthews/Marner together makes sense since they've formed the best duo in hockey, but that means Tavares and Nylander should ideally drive production on their own. Make us into a 2016 Pens machine

 

[Community]

Put be on the split up Tavares and Nylander train.

On the surface, Marner - Matthews and Nylander - Tavares are two pairings to build around given it's playmaker with shooter and hybrid with hybrid (Nylander/Tavares are both skilled playmaker and shooters) and I originally advocated for it before we saw it.

However, Tavares needs to be with players that don't rely on their speed for their offense. Tavares is much better with possession/sustained pressure in the offensive zone and that's why historically he's made "grinders" play much better than they actually are. Nylander can do well in possession because hes an elite player, but he's better on the fast break.

 

[arso40]

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

really think this is our ideal line

I think that the second line surprises a lot of people

2nd lines more like a third line

 

[notbias]

2nd lines more like a third line

In what universe?

On our team? Maybe the 3rd line is more skilled.

In the NHL? No.

People have really weird views on what a top-6 forward is or what a second line is. Tavares puts up close to PPG and so does Nylander, those are elite level players, either of them with two scrubs is still a 2nd line.

 

[therealkoho]

Dubas has made it known that Wayne Simmonds is available

Kerf + Holl + Simmonds + 2024 1st to the Yotes Chychrun to the Bud's

Bunts Matty MM

Robbie JT Jarnkrok

Engvall Will Malgin

NAK Kampf ZAR

Reilly Brodie
Muzz Chychrun
Gio Sandin
Liljegren

 

[kb]

Dubas has made it known that Wayne Simmonds is available

Kerf + Holl + Simmonds + 2024 1st to the Yotes Chychrun to the Bud's

Bunts Matty MM

Robbie JT Jarnkrok

Engvall Will Malgin

NAK Kampf ZAR

Reilly Brodie
Muzz Chychrun
Gio Sandin
Liljegren

Doubtful Arizona trades Chychrun for Simmonds plus 2 older pending UFA's and a late 1st.

 

[Machinae]

Bunting / Matthews / Marner
Engvall / Tavares / Jarnkrok
Nylander / Kerfoot / Malgin
ZAR / Kampf / NAK

Rielly / Brodie
Muzzin / Holl
Giordano / Liljgren
Sandin

Murray / Samsonov

Robertson first call up

 

[Griffin76]

There's not some specific number but is 8 goals in 129 playoff games not a concern for you? Which of those bottom 6 guys have a scoring touch?

From games 5-7 of the TB series the only players to score were the big 4 + Rielly. Not one depth goal. A single goal from the depth in games 6/7 and we're potentially moving on


I agree, Crosby-lite is a great description for him and his play style. To a certain extent our cap structure also demands for him with average players. Our top players need to carry their own lines

Keeping Matthews/Marner together makes sense since they've formed the best duo in hockey, but that means Tavares and Nylander should ideally drive production on their own. Make us into a 2016 Pens machine

Calm down bud. It was a question. I'm sure there's someone out there with a formula or some advanced statistic that shows how many goals are expected for each line. Just because someone quotes your post and asks a question doesn't mean they're attacking your post.

Kerfoot 13
Engvall 15
Kampf 11
Aube-Kubel 11
Jarnkrok 12
Aston-Reese 3

That's 65 goals. Is that a low number? I have no idea, hence the question. I know they won't all necessarily reach those numbers again but they may.