Post-Game Talk: Leafs win 4-3 against Rangers

[thewave]

Makes sense tsn had him ranked behind nylander to start the year let’s see where they have him ranked after the playoffs

Did you get a load of that list OMG LOL wow. Mitch is better than Eichel, Matthews and Pasta for instance...

Oh wait though. Rantanen is ahead so 12m max confirmed lol

 

[Confucius]

Did you get a load of that list OMG LOL wow. Mitch is better than Eichel, Matthews and Pasta for instance...

Oh wait though. Rantanen is ahead so 12m max confirmed lol

I agree Rantanen is ahead of him, how do you figure he should get paid the same?

 

[thewave]

I agree Rantanen is ahead of him, how do you figure he should get paid the same?

I just assume we overpay for everything. 11.75m it is

 

[Confucius]

I just assume we overpay for everything. 11.75m it is

Less than that, if he wants to stay give us a deal

 

[Commander Clueless]

I’d rather kampf there but the wingers probably make the most sense id rather even Holmberg instead of Laughton but I guess gotta get our moneys worth right

I think the problem with Kampf is that, while he's a useful player and I do like him quite a bit, he's a complete offensive black hole. Any line you put him on will struggle to generate any offense.

Well, except for a few games a year where he turns into a wizard for some reason.

 

[Commander Clueless]

I agree Rantanen is ahead of him, how do you figure he should get paid the same?

Rantanen choose to sign an 8-year contract with the team that traded for him.

Mitch reportedly wants to go to free agency.


Guaranteed Mitch will make more, whether he should or not.

 

[Confucius]

Rantanen choose to sign an 8-year contract with the team that traded for him.

Mitch reportedly wants to go to free agency.


Guaranteed Mitch will make more, whether he should or not.

Yeah he may well be worth more to someone else other than us.
I wouldn’t give him more than William. I look at it as, I need a car here is my 50 grand, I’m now looking for a 2nd car I’m not giving you 50 grand again, I have one already but for the right price…

 

[Racer88]

Mitch Marner is unquestionably one of the top 10 forwards in the NHL. Not top 10 on the Leafs - - top 10 in the entire league of 32 teams.

John Cooper made the foolish mistake of putting Marner on the 3rd line at the Four Nations tournament, but after he realized what a dumb idea that was and moved Marner back to the 1st line with McDavid, they won the tournament.

Please do not ever suggest putting a top 10 player in the entire league on the Leafs 3rd line. It might work in NHL ‘25 video games, but it’s a terrible idea in real life hockey.

Top 25. Definitely not top 10

 

[arso40]

Top 25. Definitely not top 10

Let’s reserve our thoughts for the playoffs I hope he brings it this year ideally well be in a better spot with the improvement in net and on defence and 3 of our top 6 players that missed time playing

 

[IronHookem]

TSN has him 9th. A goalie and two defenseman ahead of him so 6th for forwards.
For reference Nylander was 20th. I think that’s the first time he’s made the top 25

True, its not like several lists had him in their top 25 (and ahead of Marner at the time) the year he hit a career high 98 points & finished top 10 in scoring. Oh wait, they did?
There's even a link to the pre-season rankings for 24/25 where he is ranked at 20 and Mitch at 23 in the article you posted...
Other than that, good for Mitch. I genuinely hope he proves me wrong this playoffs and maintains his regular-season performance.

 

[Maple Leaf]

I saw Laughton get a rush chance and take a shot, so that's something.

Leafs were better with Ryan OReilly

 

[Brown Dog]

Rantanen choose to sign an 8-year contract with the team that traded for him.

Mitch reportedly wants to go to free agency.


Guaranteed Mitch will make more, whether he should or not.

Exactly. If a handful of teams are willing to go to $12 million and have the cap space (which they will with the rising cap), it's not hard to see how a bidding war ensues and before you know it, he's getting offers of $14-15 per.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I still have no confidence in Laughton and Domi getting it done together defensively on the 3rd line. I fear that line will caved in vs a team like Florida in the playoffs. If they do use Laughton at 3c, they need to give him better defensive support on the wings.

Personally I'm on team balance. Balance the top 9 by giving the 3c more support.

Scenario 1: Use Laughton at 3c and give him Knies and Marner who are the 2 strongest defensive wings.

Domi-Matthews-Nylander
McMann-Tavares-Jarnkrok
Knies-Laughton-Marner


Scenario 2: Use Domi as 3C: If they use Domi as a 3c, pair him with Nylander and make it an offensive line.

Knies-Matthews-Marner
Robertson-Domi-Nylander
McMann-Tavares-Jarnkrok

Scenario 1 has the two best players and the two best scorers on the same line - doesn't scream 'balance' to me. Good for late when we need a goal but not as a regular line.

Scenario 2 I would rather see McMann on the second line with Domi and Nylander.

 

[arso40]

Scenario 1 has the two best players and the two best scorers on the same line - doesn't scream 'balance' to me. Good for late when we need a goal but not as a regular line.

Scenario 2 I would rather see McMann on the second line with Domi and Nylander.

Would be our fastest line

 

[notDatsyuk]

Example?


Offensive Centers: Matthews, Tavares, Domi
Defensive Wingers: Jarnkrok, marner, ?Knies?
Scorers (goals, in order): Matthews, Nylander, Tavares, Knies, marner, McMann, Robertson

Robertson - Matthews - marner
McMann - Tavares - Nylander
Knies - Domi - Jarnkrok

Knies - Matthews - Jarnkrok
McMann - Tavares - Nylander
Robertson - Domi - marner


Yeah, just don't see anything like that happening.

If you're looking to set up lines you should be looking at 5on5 stats, and likely per60 as well.

This changes the order of scorers to: Knies, Nylander, McMann, Tavares, Robertson, Matthews, and Marner.

Adding in last year changes it to: Matthews, McMann, Nylander, Robertson, Knies, Tavares, and Marner.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I think Steeves could thrive in that spot. He's proven he can score when given the opportunity, top goal scorer in the AHL. He's shown he can play physical when needed. Steeves has never been given a shot on a scoring line with the Leafs. We absolutely know that the first and third lines work together, and I'm just proposing to try Steeves out for a couple of games, against a lesser opponent and see how it works.

It's not sacrificing Willy at all... it's giving Steeves a chance, to prove he can play higher up. If he can, it answers questions for next year, the rest of this year, and solves how to keep lines 1 and 3 that are working very well, together.

Plus, I think Lorentz Kampf Laughton would be an excellent fourth line.

If it doesn't work, we can return to your regularly scheduled program. No harm, no foul. If it works... profit.

Or, if you really like the McMann Tavares Nylander line...

do this instead... Steeves Domi Robertson

I'd rather not throw Steeves into the mixmaster this year unless really necessary

 

[notDatsyuk]

Mitch Marner is unquestionably one of the top 10 forwards in the NHL. Not top 10 on the Leafs - - top 10 in the entire league of 32 teams.

John Cooper made the foolish mistake of putting Marner on the 3rd line at the Four Nations tournament, but after he realized what a dumb idea that was and moved Marner back to the 1st line with McDavid, they won the tournament.

Please do not ever suggest putting a top 10 player in the entire league on the Leafs 3rd line. It might work in NHL ‘25 video games, but it’s a terrible idea in real life hockey.

It's worked reasonably well with putting Nylander on the third line, but he's a better player - I don't think Marner would do anywhere near as well.

 

[arso40]

I'd rather not throw Steeves into the mixmaster this year unless really necessary

Probably is I think he’ll be a free agent this year able to sign anywhere we gotta give him some kinda incentive to return no?

 

[notDatsyuk]

No,Nylander was a beast.

#1

The whole line was great - no need to nit pick.

 

[ULF_55]

If you're looking to set up lines you should be looking at 5on5 stats, and likely per60 as well.

This changes the order of scorers to: Knies, Nylander, McMann, Tavares, Robertson, Matthews, and Marner.

Adding in last year changes it to: Matthews, McMann, Nylander, Robertson, Knies, Tavares, and Marner.

Only 2 Leafs to score 40 or more in the past 6 years are Matthews and Nylander.

The issue with trend is it doesn't take into account actual results, and projected results don't change the score.

But we know who the goal scorers are Matthews and Nylander and everyone else.

Trouble with 5on5 is it doesn't take into account the entire game.

 

[Confucius]

Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl vaults to No. 1 in TSN's Top 25 NHL Players this season | TSN

Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl earned No. 1 status on the strength of an outstanding first four months of the season after signing an eight-year, $14-million AAV extension that will almost certainly make him the highest-paid player in 2025-26.

www.tsn.ca

TSN has him 9th. A goalie and two defenseman ahead of him so 6th for forwards.
For reference Nylander was 20th. I think that’s the first time he’s made the top 25

NHL has William just ahead of Mitch. The NHL list is tough to argue with but nevertheless it shows the 2 are very close.
Nathan MacKinnon, F, COL
2. Connor McDavid, F, EDM (INJ.)
3. Leon Draisaitl, F, EDM (INJ.)
4. Nikita Kucherov, F, TBL
5. Alex Ovechkin, F, WSH
6. Brady Tkachuk, F, OTT
7. David Pastrnak, F, BOS
8. Mikko Rantanen, F, DAL
9. Kyle Connor, F, WPG
10. Jack Eichel, F, VGK
11. Sam Reinhart, F, FLA
12. Mark Scheifele, F, WPG
13. Auston Matthews, F, TOR
14. William Nylander, F, TOR
15. Mitch Marner, F, TOR
16. Filip Forsberg, F, NSH
17. Martin Necas, F, COL
18. Brayden Point, F, TBL
19. Sidney Crosby, F, PIT
20. Tim Stützle, F, OTT
21. Jason Robertson, F, DAL
22. Jake Guentzel, F, TBL
23. Nick Suzuki, F, MTL
24. Cole Caufield, F, MTL
25. Lucas Raymond, F, DET
26. Dylan Larkin, F, DET
27. Wyatt Johnston, F, DAL
28. Brandon Hagel, F, TBL
29. Clayton Keller, F, UTA
30. Matt Boldy, F, MIN
31. Tom Wilson, F, WSH
32. Tage Thompson, F, BUF
33. Artemi Panarin, F, NYR
34. Macklin Celebrini, F, SJS (rookie)

 

[notDatsyuk]

Only 2 Leafs to score 40 or more in the past 6 years are Matthews and Nylander.

The issue with trend is it doesn't take into account actual results, and projected results don't change the score.

But we know who the goal scorers are Matthews and Nylander and everyone else.

Trouble with 5on5 is it doesn't take into account the entire game.

Agreed, but 5on5 does represent the bulk of the game, and specifically when 'fixed lines' are used. If you are looking to set 'lines', are PP and PK results relevant?

I agree that projected is really overrated (trends not as much), and I rarely use them.

I'd like to use 6 years but that eliminates or distorts the stats for Knies, McMann, and Robertson. But absolutely Matthews and Nylander are the scorers.

I suppose if anything my lists show that Knies and McMann in particular are producing quite well.

 

[notDatsyuk]

NHL has William just ahead of Mitch. The NHL list is tough to argue with but nevertheless it shows the 2 are very close.
Nathan MacKinnon, F, COL
2. Connor McDavid, F, EDM (INJ.)
3. Leon Draisaitl, F, EDM (INJ.)
4. Nikita Kucherov, F, TBL
5. Alex Ovechkin, F, WSH
6. Brady Tkachuk, F, OTT
7. David Pastrnak, F, BOS
8. Mikko Rantanen, F, DAL
9. Kyle Connor, F, WPG
10. Jack Eichel, F, VGK
11. Sam Reinhart, F, FLA
12. Mark Scheifele, F, WPG
13. Auston Matthews, F, TOR
14. William Nylander, F, TOR
15. Mitch Marner, F, TOR
16. Filip Forsberg, F, NSH
17. Martin Necas, F, COL
18. Brayden Point, F, TBL
19. Sidney Crosby, F, PIT
20. Tim Stützle, F, OTT
21. Jason Robertson, F, DAL
22. Jake Guentzel, F, TBL
23. Nick Suzuki, F, MTL
24. Cole Caufield, F, MTL
25. Lucas Raymond, F, DET
26. Dylan Larkin, F, DET
27. Wyatt Johnston, F, DAL
28. Brandon Hagel, F, TBL
29. Clayton Keller, F, UTA
30. Matt Boldy, F, MIN
31. Tom Wilson, F, WSH
32. Tage Thompson, F, BUF
33. Artemi Panarin, F, NYR
34. Macklin Celebrini, F, SJS (rookie)

Interesting that all three are lumped together.

 

[arso40]

Interesting that all three are lumped together.

And behind schiefele and Brady disagree with that matthews is better than both ovi too Hes passed his prime and I have matthews ahead of Kyle Connor

 

[Racer88]

Let’s reserve our thoughts for the playoffs I hope he brings it this year ideally well be in a better spot with the improvement in net and on defence and 3 of our top 6 players that missed time playing

For sure. I will definitely move him up the value chart if he is a difference maker and not just an empty calorie gatherer in the playoffs