Speculation: 2024-25 Playoffs Thread - series, opponents, players and team discussion

[I am not exposed]

Tanking to play anyone is stupid. So is purposefully losing in anything and Ill die on that hill.

That 2022 playoff run was cursed right when dressed players and for them to just sit there and watch the last game of the season.

I concur. It can really bite you in the arse.

I stand by Toronto will be a tougher out than previous versions as well.

 

[PSLguy]

I concur. It can really bite you in the arse.

I stand by Toronto will be a tougher out than previous versions as well.

Let's see how Charlotte does against them tomorrow night.

 

[FinlandPanther]

I agree that of course I’d rather have them winning games than losing. It’s frustrating and worrisome. But ultimately I’m with @FinlandPanther that at this point I gotta trust Maurice and believe his strategy gives us the best shot.

We may still be out in first round. But if we’re not, then we’ll pretty much know it was the right thing to do.

Exactly. We won a cup, everything else is gravy. If they’re tired, who can blame them. Maurice had that same smug attitude last year telling the fanbase to chill out. I don’t believe for a second this team forgot how to play hockey.

 

[FinlandPanther]

I concur. It can really bite you in the arse.

I stand by Toronto will be a tougher out than previous versions as well.

I mean is that really saying much? Toronto has sucked every year in the playoffs. They have to figure it out one year.

 

[KW]

Maurice pretty much says it’s better for them to heal… and he says he doesn’t care that they aren’t scoring right now.

Panthers focused on getting healthy for chance at Cup repeat, not standings | NHL.com

Reigning champions awaiting return of full lineup from injury, Ekblad suspension

www.nhl.com

 

[Gentle Man]

F-L-A, fish filet, chik-fil-a, Bobby flay

Leafs in 5

 

[FinlandPanther]

F-L-A, fish filet, chik-fil-a, Bobby flay

Leafs in 5

If the Leafs beat us in 5 you know this team was beat to shit. That team is full of losers and could only accomplish that if this team is on the brink of death.

 

[Dread Clawz]

Lundell started the season hot, but him cooling off was inevitable. Still a great year, as he has only 6 less points than Bennett while being much better defensively and having less PP time. He is more of a two-way player.

Rodrigues has never been high-end offensive scorer. He is a swiss-knife type of player, could play at any line and look ok, just not necessarily producing. Team is better having him in the lineup than just average bottom-6 forward, but his value is not as high with that much competition for offensive and defensive roles.

Luostarinen role is cover teammates defensively, block shots and play on PK. Team has too much talent to expect him to carry significant offensive load.

I'm not sure why everyone is so confident in Bennett. This is essentially his first year there without significant injuries, that helped him to find consistency. But strategically, how long do you expect the perfect situation to continue? What if he gets hurt again in the playoffs? What if his body gets worn out by his style of play?

Verhaeghe is having outlier year with bad luck+confidence issues. Still doing things right to bounce back one day. He wouldn't have that on-ice puck possession numbers no matter with whom he played if he didn't do much besides shooting (and not scoring as much this year) as some people suggest.

If Bennett 's body breaks down with injuries in a few years, you just place him on LTIR. It's a win-win, Bennett still gets his money and you clear cap space for a healthy player.

 

[iam76]

Bennett staying home to ensure healthy for contract.. smart man

 

[Chaos2k7]

Bennett staying home to ensure healthy for contract.. smart man

Already has his career high in points. If he needs to show anything else to the team at this point, he is as good as gone.

 

[austropanther]

I think we will see the following line combos:

Verhaege (Rodrigues) - Barkov - Reinhart
Samoskevich (Marchand, Rodrigues) - Bennett - Tkachuk
Luostarinen - Lundell - Marchand (Rodrigues, Samoskevich, Boqvist)
Rodrigues (Gadjovich) - Nosek (Sturm) - Greer (Boqvist, Puljujärvi)

Forsling - Ekblad
Mikkola - Jones
Schmidt (Megna) - Kulikov (Balinskis)

PoMo loves Rodrigues as his Swiss army knife. He is the most versatile player (behind Barky and Reino) who can play with anybody on any forward position, is a righty, can be clutch, is defensively aware, hits and is decent at FOs. Before we loose him, clearly Luosty gets traded next year.

Megna has been a very nice surprise over the last games, looking better than Björnfot and Balinskis and better suited for hard fought PO times. I believe he is just about to win himself a job for the POs as a 7th Dman with his size, physicality and decent outlet passing.
If Puljujärvi continues to use his body as much as over the last games, he might get a real shot next year.

We will see a lot of rotation on the 4th line, as PoMo did last year, keeping them fresh to be able to pound the opposing team game after game.

 

[violaswallet]

I think we will see the following line combos:

Verhaege (Rodrigues) - Barkov - Reinhart
Samoskevich (Marchand, Rodrigues) - Bennett - Tkachuk
Luostarinen - Lundell - Marchand (Rodrigues, Samoskevich, Boqvist)
Rodrigues (Gadjovich) - Nosek (Sturm) - Greer (Boqvist, Puljujärvi)

Forsling - Ekblad
Mikkola - Jones
Schmidt (Megna) - Kulikov (Balinskis)

PoMo loves Rodrigues as his Swiss army knife. He is the most versatile player (behind Barky and Reino) who can play with anybody on any forward position, is a righty, can be clutch, is defensively aware, hits and is decent at FOs. Before we loose him, clearly Luosty gets traded next year.

Megna has been a very nice surprise over the last games, looking better than Björnfot and Balinskis and better suited for hard fought PO times. I believe he is just about to win himself a job for the POs as a 7th Dman with his size, physicality and decent outlet passing.
If Puljujärvi continues to use his body as much as over the last games, he might get a real shot next year.

We will see a lot of rotation on the 4th line, as PoMo did last year, keeping them fresh to be able to pound the opposing team game after game.

I think for game 1 (with Ekblad suspended), I'd like

Forsling-Jones
Mikkola-Rod
Megna-Schmidt

I think Schmidt does better with a stronger defensive D.

I agree with your top 3 lines, but would run
E-Rod-Sturm-Boqvist as the fourth.

Sturm is a much better center, and I think Boqvist provides more all around game than Greer. We also could play this line for 12 minutes if necessary and take pressure off the top 9.

 

[KW]

So the forwards are 16 total.
Barky
Reino
Verh
Benny
Chucky
Marchy
Lundy
Samo
Luo
Sturm
ERod
Boq
Nosek
Greer
Gadjo
Pulju

The game of who gets left out? Assuming everyone is healthy for round 1, those sitting will probably need to be the last 4. But I’m intrigued about Pulju in the lineup and Greer always brings the extra physicality.

And it’s been floated that Samo should sit because he won’t be ready for the intensity. Maybe but I think he’s earned it to start game 1.

 

[KW]

TOR up 2-1.

That’s gotta jinx somebody.

 

[Dread Clawz]

So the forwards are 16 total.
Barky
Reino
Verh
Benny
Chucky
Marchy
Lundy
Samo
Luo
Sturm
ERod
Boq
Nosek
Greer
Gadjo
Pulju

The game of who gets left out? Assuming everyone is healthy for round 1, those sitting will probably need to be the last 4. But I’m intrigued about Pulju in the lineup and Greer always brings the extra physicality.

And it’s been floated that Samo should sit because he won’t be ready for the intensity. Maybe but I think he’s earned it to start game 1.

Samo plays, no question. Pulju has looked fine but everyone healthy, he sits.

Swag-Barky-Reino
Samo - Benny- Chuck
Luosty- Lundy- March
Greer-Sturm-ERod

Crazy forward depth, but it's a good thing .

 

[KW]

Samo plays, no question. Pulju has looked fine but everyone healthy, he sits.

Swag-Barky-Reino
Samo - Benny- Chuck
Luosty- Lundy- March
Greer-Sturm-ERod

Crazy forward depth, but it's a good thing .

The tough call in your list is playing Greer over Boquist… I think I would sit Greer in game 1. Skill over muscle, because the whole team is a pest. Otherwise I agree.

 

[Dread Clawz]

The tough call in your list is playing Greer over Boquist… I think I would sit Greer in game 1. Skill over muscle, because the whole team is a pest. Otherwise I agree.

Idk, our whole identity is muscle, grit, and defense. Greer does a lot of dirty work for us. But it wouldn't be damaging if Boqvist plays a game o r two.

 

[austropanther]

Idk, our whole identity is muscle, grit, and defense. Greer does a lot of dirty work for us. But it wouldn't be damaging if Boqvist plays a game o r two.

They will both get enough ice time. PoMo kept rotating the 4th line last year to keep them fresh.

 

[Dread Clawz]

They will both get enough ice time. PoMo kept rotating the 4th line last year to keep them fresh.

I agree, we will see something similar.

 

[Bobby Butler]

Team finally realized Ekky hasn’t left his couch since March 9th and petitioned the league to make him practice

 

[Chaos2k7]

Team finally realized Ekky hasn’t left his couch since March 9th and petitioned the league to make him practice

Ekblad should be ready to go once he can play again, good news for the team.

 

[TheImpatientBoomer]

Added reassurance he's our next Rodrigues with a higher offensive ceiling.
I want Samo in the playoff lineup but will understand if Maurice does go vet heavy early on in first round.

But I can also see him in if Tkachuk isnt ready for first few games.
Either way, Lundell and Samoskevich have been amazing 1st round picks and our scouting department did a great job.

 

[Idiot Stick]

Added reassurance he's our next Rodrigues with a higher offensive ceiling.
I want Samo in the playoff lineup but will understand if Maurice does go vet heavy early on in first round.

But I can also see him in if Tkachuk isnt ready for first few games.
Either way, Lundell and Samoskevich have been amazing 1st round picks and our scouting department did a great job.

looks like boqvist is the odd guy out
Erod played well last year, Greer is the perfect 4th liner. Very good shape depth wise if we have some injuries

 

[BeezKnees]

Sounds like Dwork is hearing Tkachuk might not be ready for game 1...

 

[behemolari]

I think missing both Tkachuk and Ekbland will hit really hard and people should be realistic with their expectations, 1st round exit against Tampa and try to stay healthy next year