2022 Line Combinations

[ShaneFalco]

The 4th line is still useless and the 3rd line is soft vanilla with no finishing ability.

Was not a fan of giving Jarnkrok 4 years because he just compounds the pre-existing problems with that line, not to mention his age and playoff resume. I'd gut 2/3 of that line with Kerfoot and Engvall out the door, but that's a lot of tinkering mid-season so we're likely stuck until they walk as UFAs.

Internally, Steeves and Knies can add a nice element late-season, but honestly the whole bottom six still needs a facelift. No identity.

Kerfoot, Jarnkrok, Malgin, Engvall, ZAR, NAK. That is a pathetic group, especially when your core 4 similarly lacks pulse and battle level. Your depth should off-set the weaknesses of your top guys, not magnify them.

It's been a problem for year. Dubas addresses it by getting a mixture of new players on the cheap (or keeps guys that he should move)

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

3rd line is the issue. It’s not particularly effective at anything. It’s average defensively, not good offensively, and they add no physicality at all. Kerfoot, Engvall, and Jarnkrok are all the same type of tweener player. You can have one of those types of guys there, you can’t have a whole line of them. There’s no internal replacements available right now so until Dubas makes a trade that’s what we’re going to have to live with.

I’m still holding out hope that NAK and ZAR can figure it out on the 4th line, it really shouldn’t be that difficult for them to provide some energy, lay some hits, and not be liabilities. Hopefully their recent heathy scratching will be the kick in the ass they need.

2nd line looks real good with Robertson there. 1st line I’m willing to give a few more games to get something going before seriously considering breaking them up. They’re snake bitten currently but they’ve got a long enough track record to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Defence, Sandin has looked good since going back to LD, Holl is still a disaster and the sooner Lilly is back to bump Holl down or out of the lineup the better. Giordano is fine, Mete has been invisible which is a good thing. Brodie is still Brodie, solid defensively outside of last night, but that’s a one off.

Rielly has been very concerning to me. He’s partnered with the best defenseman he’s had in his time here, a pairing that’s worked extremely well in the past and yet he’s looked worse than usual defensively. No he was never a stalwart defensively but man has he struggled. Like with M&M I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and allow him time to get his head on straight but Christ it’s not looking good.

Samsonov has been great, no notes other than for him to play the puck as sparingly as possible. Still like Kallgren despite the team giving him no help against Arizona. Wouldn’t mind seeing him against one of these bad California teams.

 

[The Podium]

It might be time to just shuffle everything

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
- No explanation needed

Robertson - Tavares - NAK
- Two energy players to make up for Tavares’ foot speed, maybe it won’t be the most creative offensively, but they should be a good possession line who can grind out some offense

Kerfoot - Nylander - Jarnkrok
- Both have shown good chemistry with Nylander. Kerfoot and Jarnkrok both need a sniper on their line to be effective.

ZAR - Kampf - Simmonds
- Low event hockey, provides some physicality and decent D.

Reilly - Lilly
- Mobile pairing, Lilly has the feet to keep up with Reilly and is good enough defensively to cover his mistakes. Play them in offensive situations

Gio - Brodie
- Reunite 2 players that played multiple seasons together as one of the best pairings in the league. All situations.

Sandin - Holl/Trade
- Pray

 

[ZEBROA]

Just switch Nylander and Marner a few games. Or Tavares with Matthews. Send a message to the team. No one is untuchable.

 

[Tak7]

I'd seriously consider breaking up the top line.

Tavares & Nylander arr playing well - see if they can get Matthews & Marner going.

You also need to see what Bunting can offer you away from 34 & 16, before you start talking big extension with him

 

[arso40]

It might be time to just shuffle everything

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
- No explanation needed

Robertson - Tavares - NAK
- Two energy players to make up for Tavares’ foot speed, maybe it won’t be the most creative offensively, but they should be a good possession line who can grind out some offense

Kerfoot - Nylander - Jarnkrok
- Both have shown good chemistry with Nylander. Kerfoot and Jarnkrok both need a sniper on their line to be effective.

ZAR - Kampf - Simmonds
- Low event hockey, provides some physicality and decent D.

Reilly - Lilly
- Mobile pairing, Lilly has the feet to keep up with Reilly and is good enough defensively to cover his mistakes. Play them in offensive situations

Gio - Brodie
- Reunite 2 players that played multiple seasons together as one of the best pairings in the league. All situations.

Sandin - Holl/Trade
- Pray

Why shuffle the one line going and not shuffle the one that’s supposed to be going

 

[The Podium]

Why shuffle the one line going and not shuffle the one that’s supposed to be going

Because Nylander can play C and has previous chemistry with Kerfoot.

 

[arso40]

Because Nylander can play C and has previous chemistry with Kerfoot.

Yeah but doesn’t fix first line why ruin second line to help the third one

 

[The Podium]

Yeah but doesn’t fix first line why ruin second line to help the third one

Why keep together the first line that was literally the best line in hockey last season to preserve the second line that was a big problem last season? Ya why would I overreact to a 7 game sample and want that

 

[Martin Skoula]

I don't doubt that you see what you see, but I haven't read anything else about that anywhere. He worked so hard last off season, and it showed... If it's true, why exactly didn't he prepare the same way, or harder? Things didn't go your way in post season, so you don't work as hard in the summer? That's not a good look.

56% in the dot last year, dominant player... 48% in the dot this year, can't shoot... What exactly is wrong with him right now?

Apparently all the fat went to his wrists.

 

[Nhlpowerweek]

I thought Robertson and Nylander worked very well together, especially the couple of shifts without JT.

I'd like to see:

Bunting Matthews Marner
Robertson Nylander Jarnkrok
Kerfoot Tavares Engvall

I think that would improve both the second and third lines.

Yeah no. That is why some boarders are not nhl coaches. Tavares has been our key player and is the captain. That scenario will not happen. Ever.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Yeah no. That is why some boarders are not nhl coaches. Tavares has been our key player and is the captain. That scenario will not happen. Ever.

I don't think it will happen either. Not because JT wears the C, or because he's "our key player" (he isn't), but because Keefe is too scared of losing his job if he takes Nylander away from him without giving him Marner.

It's just my opinion, based on how Tavares and Nylander don't seem to be the best match, despite how well they each do. I think a middle 6 with more compatible lines and equal ice time would benefit the team.

 

[arso40]

Why keep together the first line that was literally the best line in hockey last season to preserve the second line that was a big problem last season? Ya why would I overreact to a 7 game sample and want that

Cause ur top six heavy and it’s vital for any team that wins a cup to have their top six out perform their opponents though I agree don’t over react after seven games I would leave the top six alone completely to figure it out there your most skilled forwards and focus on fixing the bottom six then

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Jarnkrok Matthews Marner


Can't be stated enough.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Keefer had success in 3rd period of Yotes game putting Kerfoot up with Matty and Mitch .. Kerfoot forecheck and speed created da Mitch goal .. only issue is Matty lost his best friend on team as his LWer .. Keefer sending a small message to Matty too here folks

 

[A1LeafNation]

Time to make this a 3 line team.

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

 

[sxvnert]

Kerfoot Matthews Marner
Robertson Tavares Nylander
Bunting Kampf Jarnkrok

 

[Clyde Brewer]

Bunting Tavares Marner
Robertson Nylander Malgin
Kerfoot Holmgren Jarnkrok
ZAR Kampf Simmonds

Rest Matthews for a game or two, there's something off about his game and I think he's hurt. It'll force others to pull up their socks as well.

Tell Engval to take a seat until he wants to play up to his size.

Possibly switch Nylander and Kerfoot around, but I'd like to see more of Nylander at C. I think he's maturing and he may thrive with added responsibility.

 

[TMLAM34]

Bunting Tavares Marner
Robertson Nylander Malgin
Kerfoot Holmgren Jarnkrok
ZAR Kampf Simmonds

Rest Matthews for a game or two, there's something off about his game and I think he's hurt. It'll force others to pull up their socks as well.

Tell Engval to take a seat until he wants to play up to his size.

Possibly switch Nylander and Kerfoot around, but I'd like to see more of Nylander at C. I think he's maturing and he may thrive with added responsibility.

Yes let’s just go ahead and scratch Matthews

 

[Folignos Helmet]

Has anyone seen Engvall’s physique. The guy is like every 80s action star rolled into one and he plays like a half empty bag of flour.

I don’t ever want to see him in a Leaf jersey again. He will never change. There is zero benefit to him over any of our other depth options.

 

[67leafs]

Looks like kerfoot with Mathews and marner

 

[Clyde Brewer]

Yes let’s just go ahead and scratch Matthews

I don't mean it as a healthy scratch, I think he's injured. He just hasn't been playing well. His shooting seems off and he's not as competitive in faceoffs.

I only suggest a game or two rest as a means of recovery. Surely you've noticed he isn't himself lately- I think it's obvious.

 

[ZEBROA]

Why keep together the first line that was literally the best line in hockey last season to preserve the second line that was a big problem last season? Ya why would I overreact to a 7 game sample and want that

No line should be untuchable based on history. That said even Keefe got a number in his head of how many games he will wait. It is not 7.

 

[ULF_55]

Robertson Tavares Nylander - Offensive Line
Bunting Kerfoot Malgin - 2nd O-Line
Aston-Reese Mathews Marner - Shutdown line
Engvall Kampf Jarnkrok - Leftovers

 

[I am Canadian]

Bunting - Matthews - Marner

Robertson - Tavares - Nylander

Engvall - Kampf - Jankrok

Kerfoot - ZAR - Kubel

Rielly - Brodie

Giordano - Liljegren

Sandin - Holl

Please try this