zeke
The Dube Abides
- Mar 14, 2005
- 66,937
- 36,957
GDT: Leafs @ Sens - TSN 7pm
- Thread starter ACC1224
- Start date
-
Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
Clark4Ever
What we do in hockey echoes in eternity...
Mrazek, Bunting, Kase, and Kampf all look like very solid UFA acquisitions so far. Ho-Sang is making a case for himself to be in the starting lineup as well.
Havoc
Registered User
- Jul 25, 2009
- 7,334
- 7,600
Mik has never been able to keep up when promoted to the top 6 so this look won't last long. You need more than just speed to survive in the top 6.
He's a stud bottom 6er, mediocre top 6er. Let's just stick to what works.
Is this because you feel like Marner and Matthews will get to the breakaway first before him.
I have always had that idea in the back of my mind. He has the speed to keep up with them and is pretty decent 2 way player. The only thing he really doesn't need to really do on that line is score. And we already know he can't score anyways.
I think Ritchie is getting that spot and its his to lose. So far Ritchie hasn't really impressed me. I expected more but I guess we have to see him with Matthews/Marner for a prolonged period of time to figure that out.
i thought ritchie and marner showed some early signs of good chemistry, and it was just game 1
zeke
The Dube Abides
- Mar 14, 2005
- 66,937
- 36,957
Fast, strong, relentless, not intimidating but gritty......hands of stone....
....does that sound like any other recent leafs 1st line winger to you?
Clark4Ever
What we do in hockey echoes in eternity...
Havoc
Registered User
- Jul 25, 2009
- 7,334
- 7,600
Hyman and Mik are not the same. Hyman proved he can exist in the top 6. Mik hasn't. Very close to terrible top 6 play from Mik. However I do find him an elite bottom 6 guy given he is fast and relentless. I am still waiting to see strong and gritty.
Mika is not relentless at all. If you are referring to Hyman he also had another quality that Mika lacks. Hyman paid the price
If all it took was skating and relentless PJ Axelsson would have been a hall of famer
We also had Kapanen in top 6 and that didn't work out. Finishing skills is a must for top 6.
Say what you want about Hyman, he played that role rather well. Hyman did a lot of dirty work
Mika just isn't very good other than his skating.
Chief Berube
Registered User
This is what I think the line up will likely look like based on what I’ve seen so far.
Ritchie-Matthews-Marner
Bunting-JT- Nylander
Soup-Kerfoot-Kase
Ho-sang-kampf-Spezza
Simmonds
Reilly-Brodie
Muzzin-Lilly
Dermott/Sandin- Holl
Mrazek
Campbell
dermott and sandin will rotate until one takes the job. I really think we have a solid very deep lineup. Ho-Sang will be signed. The guy can play. Lilly needs to be given a chance to shine and I think he will take a major step.
Ritchie-Matthews-Marner
Bunting-JT- Nylander
Soup-Kerfoot-Kase
Ho-sang-kampf-Spezza
Simmonds
Reilly-Brodie
Muzzin-Lilly
Dermott/Sandin- Holl
Mrazek
Campbell
dermott and sandin will rotate until one takes the job. I really think we have a solid very deep lineup. Ho-Sang will be signed. The guy can play. Lilly needs to be given a chance to shine and I think he will take a major step.
ULF_55
Moderator
Tavares, Matthews, Nylander and marner are in the top 4.
Lots of auditions for other 2 spots in the top 6.
Lots of auditions for other 2 spots in the top 6.
Leafs have to the only team in league and maybe Oilers where a spot for top 6 is auditioned
Most teams players move up from rank or they know who their top 6 are. They usually Bttle for bottom 6
There is no chance Ho Sang plays above Nylander if Nylander is healthy that's not going to happen.
Lilly probably won't play above Sandin either.
Isaac Nootin
Registered User
- Sep 28, 2017
- 7,891
- 12,409
Maple Leaf
VIP
- Sep 18, 2009
- 10,206
- 5,440
There is no chance Simmonds is the 13th forward if Simmonds is healthy.
Lilly is not playing above Holl.
i don't even like Holl but that's not going to happen
ULF_55
Moderator
zeke
The Dube Abides
- Mar 14, 2005
- 66,937
- 36,957
Nice thing about having such a super-elite top-4 is that you don't need more great players to play with them.
That being said, you should probably follow other teams more closely.
Most other teams have players fight for a spot but not top 6
Some players out play other players who are top 6 but usually that spot isn't vacant
Leafs year in year out seems to have a vacancy for top 6
Havoc
Registered User
- Jul 25, 2009
- 7,334
- 7,600
Yeah Hyman 100% earned his first line role. It wasn't handed to him. It came to the point you didn't have a better option than him. Every line wanted him as their LW.
Mik is handed top 6 roles in hopes he can figure it out and so far never does. He's a leap of faith in contrast to Hyman beasting his way into the top 6 and to the top of our LW depth chart.
To even suggest they're similar is a big insult to Hyman and to our top 6 in general.
zeke
The Dube Abides
- Mar 14, 2005
- 66,937
- 36,957
Hyman was clearly handed a top line spot from the very start, come hell or high water.
To his credit, he eventually grew into the role, but it took a good while.
