Jackothy
Registered User
- Jun 10, 2009
- 2,082
- 93
Here's a little blurb about some line changes I would make and who I would try to match them up against. All is not lost in my eyes.
Go Leafs Go
JVR-Grabovski-Kessel-------------------Lucic-Krejci-Horton
Put Grabovski in between our top two. He's the only one who seems to want it and his drive and determination will most likely open up ice for Kessel. Hopefully the tenacity of JVR and Grabo combined rubs off on him as well. Grabovski also has the skill to be dangerous and is quite effective on the forecheck and cycle, which is something that line desperately needs. I think this line would match up quite well against Boston's top unit, they definitely can out skate them and I would argue are significantly more skilled. The biggest question is puck possession, but I think Grabo would help that out a lot more than Bozak.
Kulemin-Kadri-Lupul--------------------Daugavins-Kelly-Jagr
Go back to what was a deadly line just a short time ago. Kulemin to me is the only leaf who could effectively match up against Jagr, and I think he would honestly give him fits. The skill and chemistry of Lupul and Kadri could also expose Kelly and Daugavins and the offensive zone play of these three would be quite a lot for the Boston line to handle.
Macarthur-Bozak-Frattin----------------Marchand-Bergeron-Seguin
You simply have to have Bozak out against Bergeron, unless we want to get dominated on the dot. Also Bozak matches up favorably to the skill-set of Bergeron. They can shut each other down in a sense. While I was incredibly disappointed with the play of Macarthur, he is a skilled player with experience who can be quite an effective player when he's riled up. Wake this guy up and get him on Seguin, tell him to be a rat. He has the speed, skill and tenacity to effectively shut him down. Finally, I put Frattin up against Marchand because I believe Frattin to be someone who you don't want to piss off. He can also be pretty scrappy, and if he catches Marchand with his head down....bye bye.
Orr-Mcclement-Komarov----------------Paille-Campbell-Thorton
While I have nothing against the play of McClaren, Orr is better and when you have Komarov with Mclement, it actually becomes an effective line. High energy and high skilled, great defensively. This line could actually play significant minutes, especially if you double shift Kulemin in Orr's spot.
Gunnar-Phaneuf
No real need to explain
Gardiner-Obyrne
Leafs biggest weakness to me last night was neutral zone play and our break out. Gardiner can significantly help this, hell his speed can often get him to the puck well before the forecheck. When he's on he can be effective in defensive zone with quick passes and foot speed, which leads to a quick exit. If they do get hemmed in you have O'Byrne to clear the way, actually block shots (Kostka ) and dump the puck. Ultimately though, I would only give this line limited minutes.
Fraser-Franson
These two are actually quite an effective pair, bit of a slip though last night. Keep them together and don't over expose them. Have them and the Gardiner pair each play 15-20 mins.
Go Leafs Go
JVR-Grabovski-Kessel-------------------Lucic-Krejci-Horton
Put Grabovski in between our top two. He's the only one who seems to want it and his drive and determination will most likely open up ice for Kessel. Hopefully the tenacity of JVR and Grabo combined rubs off on him as well. Grabovski also has the skill to be dangerous and is quite effective on the forecheck and cycle, which is something that line desperately needs. I think this line would match up quite well against Boston's top unit, they definitely can out skate them and I would argue are significantly more skilled. The biggest question is puck possession, but I think Grabo would help that out a lot more than Bozak.
Kulemin-Kadri-Lupul--------------------Daugavins-Kelly-Jagr
Go back to what was a deadly line just a short time ago. Kulemin to me is the only leaf who could effectively match up against Jagr, and I think he would honestly give him fits. The skill and chemistry of Lupul and Kadri could also expose Kelly and Daugavins and the offensive zone play of these three would be quite a lot for the Boston line to handle.
Macarthur-Bozak-Frattin----------------Marchand-Bergeron-Seguin
You simply have to have Bozak out against Bergeron, unless we want to get dominated on the dot. Also Bozak matches up favorably to the skill-set of Bergeron. They can shut each other down in a sense. While I was incredibly disappointed with the play of Macarthur, he is a skilled player with experience who can be quite an effective player when he's riled up. Wake this guy up and get him on Seguin, tell him to be a rat. He has the speed, skill and tenacity to effectively shut him down. Finally, I put Frattin up against Marchand because I believe Frattin to be someone who you don't want to piss off. He can also be pretty scrappy, and if he catches Marchand with his head down....bye bye.
Orr-Mcclement-Komarov----------------Paille-Campbell-Thorton
While I have nothing against the play of McClaren, Orr is better and when you have Komarov with Mclement, it actually becomes an effective line. High energy and high skilled, great defensively. This line could actually play significant minutes, especially if you double shift Kulemin in Orr's spot.
Gunnar-Phaneuf
No real need to explain
Gardiner-Obyrne
Leafs biggest weakness to me last night was neutral zone play and our break out. Gardiner can significantly help this, hell his speed can often get him to the puck well before the forecheck. When he's on he can be effective in defensive zone with quick passes and foot speed, which leads to a quick exit. If they do get hemmed in you have O'Byrne to clear the way, actually block shots (Kostka ) and dump the puck. Ultimately though, I would only give this line limited minutes.
Fraser-Franson
These two are actually quite an effective pair, bit of a slip though last night. Keep them together and don't over expose them. Have them and the Gardiner pair each play 15-20 mins.