GDT: Leafs vs Ducks

[Nylanderthal]

Wonder what sparked this realization, something he saw Saturday?
Wonder if they'll go with those lines Wednesday.

They haven’t been good with JT for a bit now, and Auston looked dominant with Mitch out. Maybe it’s more to do with getting Mitch and JT cooking again. Mitch plays the game at a speed JT can handle.

 

[Nylanderthal]

I guess maybe with jt not going, get him a new look? Marner was buzzing so maybe try something else with jt. And we know Austin can carry his own line. Then that would leave Nylander to feast on third pairings. Solid idea in theory.... Let's see! I'd like to see Spezza with willy personally.

You’re inside my head

 

[ER89]

You’re inside my head

These prolonged slumps it goes through have to stop.

 

[ACC1224]

I guess maybe with jt not going, get him a new look? Marner was buzzing so maybe try something else with jt. And we know Austin can carry his own line. Then that would leave Nylander to feast on third pairings. Solid idea in theory.... Let's see! I'd like to see Spezza with willy personally.

Yeah makes sense. Guess this will mean a little less ice time for Nylander in the short term.

 

[ER89]

Yeah makes sense. Guess this will mean a little less ice time for Nylander in the short term.

I don't see it as that tbh. I'd imagine William double shifting a bunch when they stack up lines at the end of the period or during crucial situations. But maybe you're right. I always thought willy played better in short bursts anyway unlike Mitch or Matty.

 

[ACC1224]

I don't see it as that tbh. I'd imagine William double shifting a bunch when they stack up lines at the end of the period or during crucial situations. But maybe you're right. I always thought willy played better in short bursts anyway unlike Mitch or Matty.

Yeah who knows?
It could just be Keefe's way of keeping things interesting at practice since they aren't playing many games.
Guess we'll find out Wednesday.

 

[ULF_55]

They haven’t been good with JT for a bit now, and Auston looked dominant with Mitch out. Maybe it’s more to do with getting Mitch and JT cooking again. Mitch plays the game at a speed JT can handle.

Yeah, my thought was more the speed Kerfoot and Nylander have together. Both can fly, and Nylander has no problem making plays at top speed. Kampf, is the third best center of the players currently playing center.

 

[zeke]

Wonder what sparked this realization, something he saw Saturday?
Wonder if they'll go with those lines Wednesday.

the spark would be finally having all his forwards healthy for the first time all year, i think.

 

[Mess]

Really nice to see coach Keefe finally coming around to my line of thinking since the preseason in attempting to create a top 9 and split up Matthews and Marner and spread the wealth of the top core 4 forwards among the 3 lines.

Keefe's practice line-up

Bunting-Matthews-Kase
Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner
Kerfoot-Kampf-Nylander
Engvall-Spezza-Simmonds

My recommended line-up

Bunting-Matthews-Kase
Mikheyev-Tavares- Kerfoot
Simmonds-Nylander-Marner
Engvall-Kampf-Spezza

The only difference from Keefe's line-up to my suggested one, is that Marner and Nylander would flip spots, and have 1 X $11 mil player on each of their own lines. Or flip Kerfoot and Marner and let Nylander support Mitch's line since he is the one of the top 3 that could use the most goal scoring support.

Keefe's configuration uses Marner as the floater among the lines, and I've suggested it be Nylander instead. I think Willy would thrive at C and give the Leafs best strength down the middle in the NHL of Matthews, Tavares and Nylander with Kampf and the checking line C.

Creating a balanced attack among the top 9 and using the core 4 to create it would create endless matchup headaches for the opposition to defend, and on any giving a night 1 of the 3 offense lines could get hot and carry the load and the team to victory.

Better late then never I suppose, but slowly things are starting to fall into place for the playoff ideal roster configuration.

 

[leafsfan5]

THANK YOU

I've been wanting to try this kind of lineup for a while. It creates matchup nightmares for the opposition as Kerfoot/Nylander have very good chemistry like we saw last playoffs. Kampf kind of sticks out though, would like someone else in that spot (maybe Kerfoot as C and Spezza as a winger?)

Either way I'm happy we're atleast giving this a try

 

[zeke]

Really nice to see coach Keefe finally coming around to my line of thinking since the preseason in attempting to create a top 9 and split up Matthews and Marner and spread the wealth of the top core 4 forwards among the 3 lines.

Keefe's practice line-up

Bunting-Matthews-Kase
Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner
Kerfoot-Kampf-Nylander
Engvall-Spezza-Simmonds

My recommended line-up

Bunting-Matthews-Kase
Mikheyev-Tavares- Kerfoot
Simmonds-Nylander-Marner
Engvall-Kampf-Spezza

The only difference from Keefe's line-up to my suggested one, is that Marner and Nylander would flip spots, and have 1 X $11 mil player on each of their own lines. Or flip Kerfoot and Marner and let Nylnader support Mitch's line since he is the one of the top 3 that could use the most goal scoring support.

Creating a balanced attack among the top and using the core 4 to create it would create endless matchup headaches for the opposition to defend, and on any giving a night 1 of the 3 offense lines could get hot and carry the load and the team to victory.

Better late then never I suppose, but slowly things are starting to fall into place for the playoff ideal roster configuration.

congrats on apparently guessing one line right.

 

[Twine Tickler]

My first thought on the new line combo's was f*** no. Willy has arguably been our best forward all year, it just seems f***ed to "demote" him. But it really isn't going to be a demotion in terms of TOI.

Then I got to thinking, I think this might be a better playoff style lineup.

Matthews will always draw the most attention, and Kase really is the perfect playoff player when time and space gets eliminated. I think from a pure production standpoint moving Marner away from Matthews will be a negative, but we are not here to win Rocket trophies. We need to find ways to win tight games.

Having Manrer back with JT will also give JT a bit more space, which is going to be huge. When we get JT on his game, our team is immensely better.

And lastly, Kerfoot - Kampf - Nylander could be a possession nightmare (for the opposition). You can roll lines 1-3 pretty evenly and there really isn't much in terms of total skill that separates the 3 lines.

I think we give these lines a real look for the next 2-3 games. Really try and get back to winning low event games like were were at the beginning of the year. The beauty of this lineup is that you will still have the big guns on the PP together, and you know Sheldon will end the period and go into TV timeouts with a super line. You can really adjust in game based on how things are going. If you need more offense, adjust. If you need to hold a 2 goal lead, hold.

at the end of the day, this is exactly the time you experiment with line combos. Keep teams guessing, and give yourself a roladex of solid options come playoffs.

hopefully these aren't just whacky practice lines, I'd really like to see this in game. It's so different from anything we've seen before, its 100% worth a try

 

[notbias]

I would rather try out Dermott with Holl personally.

I also do not see why Marner would not be on that 3rd line considering he is apparently a good defensive winger. I guess he truly cannot play without an elite center without being useless.

Who is shooting on a line with Kerfoot/Kampf/Marner?

 

[Ciao]

Who is shooting on a line with Kerfoot/Kampf/Marner?

Marner and Kerfoot. Easy answer.

 

[freshwind]

if they stick with these lines it will be interesting to see the atoi ... nylander is already averaging 2 minutes per game less ice time than marner and matthews ...... if they both suck up their 21 minutes willie will be hardpressed to maintain his almost 19 unless keefe loads them up at times ...

 

[BeLeafing]

Definitely open to giving this new look lineup a shot. Doesn't have to stick long term but it's nice to see if it's an option.

We have our 2 best play driving players (Matthews/Nylander) with lesser linemates in hopes of elevating their play, and then Tavares and Marner can hopefully find chemistry together again. It's an interesting concept in theory, can't wait to see it in practice.

 

[kevsh]

With Muzzin out we have one solid pair on D with four guys that can't face top 6 forwards without being exposed.

Until Jake returns Campbell better summon the spirit of Hasek or this team may drop to a WC spot, even if temporarily (and every point counts considering the 3 teams the Leafs are fighting for those top 3 spots).

 

[Clark4Ever]

I liked the idea of a reliable defensive 3rd line, but this is intriguing.

 

[Stonehands1990]

I don't see it as that tbh. I'd imagine William double shifting a bunch when they stack up lines at the end of the period or during crucial situations. But maybe you're right. I always thought willy played better in short bursts anyway unlike Mitch or Matty.

This is exactly what will happen

Powerplays and end of period shifts he’ll get his minutes

 

[Buds17]

Not sure about that third line in particular. We'll have to see how it goes though. I do see more in the way of flexibility on the second and third D pairs now.

 

[Stonehands1990]

I’ve been pushing for the balanced lines concept all season. They said I was a mad man. This is optimal deployment with this roster. Can’t wait to see it in practice

This is how you prevent your top players from getting shutdown in the playoffs. Such a basic concept that so many don’t seem to grasp

 

[Stonehands1990]

Not sure about that third line in particular. We'll have to see how it goes though. I do see more in the way of flexibility on the second and third D pairs now.

Nylander vs other teams 3rd pairings. RIP them

 

[ULF_55]

Well Tavares isn't getting any younger.

Bunting - Matthews - Kase
Kerfoot - Kampf - Nylander
Mikheyev - Tavares - Marner
Engvall - Spezza - Simmonds

 

[notbias]

if they stick with these lines it will be interesting to see the atoi ... nylander is already averaging 2 minutes per game less ice time than marner and matthews ...... if they both suck up their 21 minutes willie will be hardpressed to maintain his almost 19 unless keefe loads them up at times ...

Keefe shuffles lines constantly depending on situations, I am sure sometimes you'll see Nylander move up the lineup for OZone draws

 

[zeke]

Literally the 1st practice all the forwards are healthy.