Jimmy Firecracker
Backcheck, Forecheck, Paycheque.
Robertson-Matthews-Domi
Knies-Tavares-Nylander
McMann-Holmberg-Marner
Dewar-Kampf-Jarnkrok
Extras: Reaves, Quillan
We know Domi can set up Matthews and I think Matthews and Robertson have an under the radar chemistry. Nick always seems to disappear on the ice with Matthews since teams rightly focus on Auston, leaving Robertson open. I think another strong shooting threat on a line with Matthews and a strong puck-distributor in Domi could be huge. Knies and Nylander will have to drag Tavares along and I think down low Knies and Tavares can be a problem for teams, and Nylander is understatedly strong. Mitch can have the privilege of carrying his own line and we'll see if he's truly worth a raise (or hell if he's even worth his current contract). I think him with McMann and Holmberg can be pretty responsible and you wouldn't worry about throwing them out there in a defensive situation. Fourth line with Dewar-Kampf-Jarnkrok is your go-to shutdown line. It's the best possible mix that that idiot Keefe for whatever galaxy-brained reason broke up in Game 7 so he could play offensive black-hole Jarnkrok with Matthews and put Gregor there (who lest we forget failed to clear the puck leading up to the Bruins game-tying goal in Game 7).
Rielly-Tanev
OEL-McCabe
Benoit-Liljegren
Extras: Hakanpaa, Webber
Rielly-Tanev is obvious. The rest is a bit difficult. I'm assuming Timmins is done so he's not on the roster. Trade him or waive him who cares. Hakanpaa I think is injury insurance, he's a right shot but Tanev and Liljegren are signed and McCabe is comfortable playing on the right despite shooting left. I've decided to go with one "defensive-minded" guy and one "puck-moving" guy on each pair, even though there is some minor overlap with some players in those definitions (Tanev can move the puck out well, Liljegren at his best is a good two-way guy).
Woll
Stolarz
Extra: Murray
Woll is the de-facto starter unless his play deteriorates or he gets hurt again. Stolarz is an excellent back-up/1B option. Murray as the cheap third-stringer is good.
Leafs are better but I'm not sure it's by much, at best we'll probably finish 2nd in the division unless Berube can really work some magic and our young guys take definitive steps forward in their development (Knies, Robertson, Holmberg, Dewar, Liljegren, Benoit).
Knies-Tavares-Nylander
McMann-Holmberg-Marner
Dewar-Kampf-Jarnkrok
Extras: Reaves, Quillan
We know Domi can set up Matthews and I think Matthews and Robertson have an under the radar chemistry. Nick always seems to disappear on the ice with Matthews since teams rightly focus on Auston, leaving Robertson open. I think another strong shooting threat on a line with Matthews and a strong puck-distributor in Domi could be huge. Knies and Nylander will have to drag Tavares along and I think down low Knies and Tavares can be a problem for teams, and Nylander is understatedly strong. Mitch can have the privilege of carrying his own line and we'll see if he's truly worth a raise (or hell if he's even worth his current contract). I think him with McMann and Holmberg can be pretty responsible and you wouldn't worry about throwing them out there in a defensive situation. Fourth line with Dewar-Kampf-Jarnkrok is your go-to shutdown line. It's the best possible mix that that idiot Keefe for whatever galaxy-brained reason broke up in Game 7 so he could play offensive black-hole Jarnkrok with Matthews and put Gregor there (who lest we forget failed to clear the puck leading up to the Bruins game-tying goal in Game 7).
Rielly-Tanev
OEL-McCabe
Benoit-Liljegren
Extras: Hakanpaa, Webber
Rielly-Tanev is obvious. The rest is a bit difficult. I'm assuming Timmins is done so he's not on the roster. Trade him or waive him who cares. Hakanpaa I think is injury insurance, he's a right shot but Tanev and Liljegren are signed and McCabe is comfortable playing on the right despite shooting left. I've decided to go with one "defensive-minded" guy and one "puck-moving" guy on each pair, even though there is some minor overlap with some players in those definitions (Tanev can move the puck out well, Liljegren at his best is a good two-way guy).
Woll
Stolarz
Extra: Murray
Woll is the de-facto starter unless his play deteriorates or he gets hurt again. Stolarz is an excellent back-up/1B option. Murray as the cheap third-stringer is good.
Leafs are better but I'm not sure it's by much, at best we'll probably finish 2nd in the division unless Berube can really work some magic and our young guys take definitive steps forward in their development (Knies, Robertson, Holmberg, Dewar, Liljegren, Benoit).