Michael Bunting suspended three games

[Rob Brown]

I’m just hoping Keefe doesn’t take Knies out of the lineup for Bunting.

I think the easiest switch would be Bunting in, Lafferty out.

Given that Knies has been given pretty good minutes, has been on late in the games and in OT, I don't think he's coming out.

 

[Hellcat]

You easily insert back the 23 goal scorer into the lineup over someone like Lafferty or even ZAR at this rate. Lafferty just hasn't made any sort of impact and keeps losing puck battles.

Bunting is a good player despite the draw back with the refs. I think he's proven that he can adapt and I'm sure he'll be fired up to get back in. He'd go through a brick wall in a lot of games.

Everyone has a role in the lineup, scoring goals is not the Leafs issues right now, its keeping them out of our net. If you are watching the play, which people are prone to do, you probably don't see the subtle but effective defensive plays that Lafferty is doing away from the puck. I'm not sure Bunting + his mouth is an improvement over Lafferty, his speed and his play without the puck.

We do need a spark though and Bunting would provide that.

 

[ToDavid]

Keefe better sit him down and tell him to be on his best behaviour. Don’t react to anything at all. Tampa is going to go after him. Don’t embellish but let them take penalties. If the refs need to be yelled at, let Keefe do it.

Be annoying in front of the net during the play, yap at the players, but don’t raise a finger toward anyone after the whistle and don’t even look at the refs.

 

[tmlfan98]

Bunting should not be back in the lineup unless a forward gets hurt. I was even calling for Bunting to never even be in the game 1 lineup because I knew the refs were gonna target him.

 

[mapleleafs34]

I think there's no way you can bring him back in for Game 5. If we lose Game 5, then he's in for Game 6 for sure.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Keefe better sit him down and tell him to be on his best behaviour.

Think that's better if it comes from the leadership group, which I assume someone like O'Reilly already has.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Bunting back in might galvanize the Lighting, might be the motivation they need after 2 crushing loses. Leafs don't need that. Leave him out for game 5, see where to go after that.

Playing for their season is probably motivating enough for them. You can't purposely leave out one of your better players just because you're afraid it will cause the Lightning to try harder

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Playing for their season is probably motivating enough for them. You can't purposely leave out one of your better players just because you're afraid it will cause the Lightning to try harder

When he plays like he did Game 1 and for stretches of the season, he's negative value. If he can control his emotions (something he hasn't proven this year), than yes, he's one of the better players.

 

[Buds17]

How awkwardly pleasant to be in such a spot that the slated return of a lineup fixture might at all be seen as any kind of an issue.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

 

[TheDoldrums]

I don't see the case for Lafferty or ZAR over Bunting. Those guys are just forecheckers, Bunting can do that. I mean Lafferty cross-checked someone in the face, he can be stupid too. Might as well use Bunting who can also score goals.

 

[Twine Tickler]

Genuinely don't know what you do here. I think my gut says no doubt you put Bunts back in the lineup. Fresh legs, and a motivated Bunts can be very dangerous. He just needs to play within the whistles.

But at the same time it's hard to look ZAR or Laff in the eye and tell them they're sitting in place of him. Cuz Matty Knies is not coming out of this lineup. No f***ing chance. The kid has been outstanding. 6-0 in his pro career and he's played a significant role in each of those wins. Drives play already at the age of 20.

 

[Peace Frog]

Gotta put Bunting back in. You just know that he’s going to be on his best behaviour and that he’s going to give everything he has. I’m sure he feels really bad about putting his team in that position and will definitely want to make up for it.

On a side note…. Damn! I still can’t believe I stopped watching after the second. In all my years as a Leafs fan ( I was born in, you guessed it… ‘67), I have never once did that. Damned if I’ll ever do it again either!

Go Leafs Go!!!!!!!

 

[ITM]

So let's get this straight:

We're up 3-1, heading back home for a possible coup de gras in the most important game in decades, and we're talking about reinserting our just suspended enfant terrible who also happens to be a native Torontonian...and we expect this person to restrain his emotions and not be a liability, because....???

 

[Peace Frog]

So let's get this straight:

We're up 3-1, heading back home for a possible coup de gras in the most important game in decades, and we're talking about reinserting our just suspended enfant terrible who also happens to be a native Torontonian...and we expect this person to restrain his emotions and not be a liability, because....???

Because he knows what’s at stake and what it will cost him and his team, if he doesn’t keep it in check.

When Bunting is playing hockey and keeping in line, he’s very effective. Put him on the third line with ROR and Acciari and we have ourselves a pretty wicked line right there!

 

[janesy12]

Leafs have been utterly dominated in 3/4 games this series, save for about 5 minutes of game 3, and 10 minutes of game 4. You can't sit a 23 goal scorer, despite the antics.
He comes in for Lafferty or ZAR, and is given a VERY short leash. Certainly helps out PP2 as well.

 

[SprDaVE]

So let's get this straight:

We're up 3-1, heading back home for a possible coup de gras in the most important game in decades, and we're talking about reinserting our just suspended enfant terrible who also happens to be a native Torontonian...and we expect this person to restrain his emotions and not be a liability, because....???

You're inserting a player that has been a big part of this team all year long and is part of what made the Leafs so good all year long. He plays with emotion and it's been weird in the last month or so but he's adapted a lot and he would probably be willing to go through a brick wall Thursday to make it right.

Being scared to change a winning lineup to put back a legit player is not the way to go about it. It's not like the Leafs have dominated any sort of stretch here either.

 

[Pi]

Bring him back in Game 5. You don't sit a guy that scored nearly 50 points, pretty much all of it on 5v5.

He's on an extremely short leash though, if he does anything stupid, let him ride the bench.

 

[ITM]

Because he knows what’s at stake and what it will cost him and his team, if he doesn’t keep it in check.

When Bunting is playing hockey and keeping in line, he’s very effective. Put him on the third line with ROR and Acciari and we have ourselves a pretty wicked line right there!

Him knowing it and knowing the cost don't reconcile needing to insert him back into the lineup when we've won three without him.

The risk reward calculation makes no sense.

 

[SprDaVE]

Gotta put Bunting back in. You just know that he’s going to be on his best behaviour and that he’s going to give everything he has. I’m sure he feels really bad about putting his team in that position and will definitely want to make up for it.

On a side note…. Damn! I still can’t believe I stopped watching after the second. In all my years as a Leafs fan ( I was born in, you guessed it… ‘67), I have never once did that. Damned if I’ll ever do it again either!

Go Leafs Go!!!!!!!

TB will probably try to get back at him as well, which might be a PP in the making.

Adding a 20+ goal scorer to this lineup for a player that has been completely invisible is an easy decision to me.

 

[ITM]

You're inserting a player that has been a big part of this team all year long and is part of what made the Leafs so good all year long. He plays with emotion and it's been weird in the last month or so but he's adapted a lot and he would probably be willing to go through a brick wall Thursday to make it right.

Being scared to change a winning lineup to put back a legit player is not the way to go about it. It's not like the Leafs have dominated any sort of stretch here either.

All wonderful. However,

(Repeating)

Him knowing what he needs to do and knowing the cost don't reconcile needing to insert him back into the lineup when we've won three without him.

The risk reward calculation makes no sense

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

You have to give Bunting a chance to redeem himself. Despite the wins, they've played pretty far from perfectly the last couple of games. He's a much better player than the likes of Lafferty or ZAR, and he's motivated to prove he can make a positive impact

 

[Notsince67]

So let's get this straight:

We're up 3-1, heading back home for a possible coup de gras in the most important game in decades, and we're talking about reinserting our just suspended enfant terrible who also happens to be a native Torontonian...and we expect this person to restrain his emotions and not be a liability, because....???

Bunting is a good player. Would be a mistake to let him sit.
That said, it won't be knies sitting out.

 

[ITM]

Bring him back in Game 5. You don't sit a guy that scored nearly 50 points, pretty much all of it on 5v5.

He's on an extremely short leash though, if he does anything stupid, let him ride the bench.

So repeat that phrase, "He's on an extremely short leash..." and balance that with need and reconcile that apprehension with the risk in the event the leash wasn't short enough.

 

[Notsince67]

You have to give Bunting a chance to redeem himself. Despite the wins, they've played pretty far from perfectly the last couple of games. He's a much better player than the likes of Lafferty or ZAR, and he's motivated to prove he can make a positive impact

And he would. Adding Bunting back would strengthen the team