Michael Bunting suspended three games

[SprDaVE]

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

Just because you've won doesn't mean you can't make your team better. The team has played pretty bad for a lot of the last 2 games.

 

[ITM]

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

There's a perfectly good modest, drama-free upgrade waiting to be called up in Pontus Holmberg.

That's a small change to a lineup that's just won three games against Tampa.

Do we really not see the correlation between what Bunting devolved into and the fact we won three games while he was out of the lineup?

Kerfoot's redemption is a wonderful tale and maybe that's the theme we carry on for Bunting...Is it so unthinkable that perhaps we wait to lose to find that out though?

 

[justashadowof]

I don't have any issues with either Aston-Reese or Lafferty but either is the natural choice to come out of the lineup. I didn't see either of them posting up consecutive 20 goal 50 point seasons or really getting under an opponent's skin.

 

[ITM]

Just because you've won doesn't mean you can't make your team better. The team has played pretty bad for a lot of the last 2 games.

I don't disagree with that in the least. And to that I've suggested calling up Pontus Holmberg, let's say for Lafferty or ZAR; Keep Knies in the lineup. Call up Liljegren...

I don't see how inserting Bunting's emotional, reactionary play, augments the club's direction when the club's direction without him, however teetering from period to period, has resulted in wins.

 

[SprDaVE]

I don't disagree with that in the least. And to that I've suggested calling up Pontus Holmberg, let's say for Lafferty or ZAR; Keep Knies in the lineup. Call up Liljegren...

I don't see how inserting Bunting's emotional, reactionary play, augments the club's direction when the club's direction without him, however teetering from period to period, has resulted in wins.

Holmberg is solid but suggesting to play him over Bunting or Lafferty or whoever is pretty much reaching non-sense levels. Holmberg hasn't even been all that good with the Marlies since being sent down, he's got a lot to learn and develop.

Bunting plays with emotion. A lot of players do. It's completely overblown and exaggerated that it's an issue. He's a good player and very good at what he does for a reason. He's been a big contributor all season, multiple seasons. Recency bias. He's an upgrade.

With that said, if the Leafs keep the same lineup as Game 3 and 4... I get it.

 

[ITM]

Holmberg is solid but suggesting to play him over Bunting or Lafferty or whoever is pretty much reaching to non-sense levels. Holmberg hasn't even been all that good with the Marlies since being sent down, he's got a lot to learn and develop.

Bunting plays with emotion. A lot of players do. It's completely overblown and exaggerated that it's an issue. He's a good player. He's been a big contributor all season. Recency bias.

Being biased doesn't necessarily yield incorrect conclusions. My recency bias for want of a better consideration model aggregates play against Tampa, and this club's inability to close in important games.

Recency bias balancing Holmberg the Leaf and Holmberg the Marlie?

 

[Twine Tickler]

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.

Yup. I agree with everything TBH.

We have been outplayed for large stretches of this series, and we are incredibly fortunate to be in the position that we are in. We've stepped up when it matters the most, and despite getting caved in for the better part of games 3 and 4, we've defended relatively well all things considered. Wherein, both of those games should have been won by TB in the first periods, but we somehow managed to stay in it.

Bunts will learn from this sussy. The vitriol he has received since the suspension is not entirely fair. Of course, criticism is due, but this is a guy who plays with passion and for the crest on the front of the jersey. You throw him into the lineup with a very clear directive to not fall into TB's trap. They'll want to drag him into the mud. He's gotta be smart, and I trust he will be TBH. If anything, he may end up serving as a distraction to TB as they chase him around the ice looking for retribution. His presence could really work in our favor. He's just got to be understand that.

 

[Notsince67]

There's a perfectly good modest, drama-free upgrade waiting to be called up in Pontus Holmberg.

That's a small change to a lineup that's just won three games against Tampa.

Do we really not see the correlation between what Bunting devolved into and the fact we won three games while he was out of the lineup?

Kerfoot's redemption is a wonderful tale and maybe that's the theme we carry on for Bunting...Is it so unthinkable that perhaps we wait to lose to find that out though?

Holmberg is borderline NHL and likely AHL level.
Bunting is an above average nhl player.
It isnt even a close decision.

 

[sxvnert]

Consider swapping Lafferty for Bunting if this series goes to game #6. Otherwise you keep the same lineup.

 

[SprDaVE]

Being biased doesn't necessarily yield incorrect conclusions. My recency bias for want of a better consideration model aggregates play against Tampa, and this club's inability to close in important games.

Recency bias balancing Holmberg the Leaf and Holmberg the Marlie?

Both? He wasn't perfect towards the end of his stint. He's a solid young player. I don't know what you think he was but he was pretty average for awhile. I'm sure he's probably among the first call-ups if the Leafs need a forward but let's pump the breaks.

Bunting has been a big contributor to this team over the last 2 seasons. There's no need to galaxy brain this lineup. Bunting should be in. Never been suspended before. He's a pest that brings an element that this team can use and he's actually a proven scoring top 6 winger. He'll be fine.

 

[TMLAM34]

If you’re taking one of Aston Reese or Lafferty, I’d probably sit Lafferty. Acciari slides down from the 3rd line onto the 4th line with Aston Reese and Kampf and Bunting slides onto that third line with O’Reilly and Knies.

 

[Peace Frog]

I’d be shocked if Keefe doesn’t put Bunts in the lineup on Thursday. I have a strong feeling that he will have a positive impact upon his return.

 

[SprDaVE]

If you’re taking one of Aston Reese or Lafferty, I’d probably sit Lafferty. Acciari slides down from the 3rd line onto the 4th line with Aston Reese and Kampf and Bunting slides onto that third line with O’Reilly and Knies.

I'd start him on the 4th and let him work his way up. And yeah I think Lafferty has been the weakest forward going back awhile.

I'd be hesitant to touch the Knies, ROR and Acciari line.

 

[Buds17]

I'm curious about the "where" regarding Bunting's return to the lineup more than I am the "if".

 

[Kelly]

Bunting was one of our top scorers, think it would be dumb to keep him scratch. You have to sit him down and tell him to not do any stupid shit though. I'd go;
Jarnkrok Matthews Nylander
Knies Tavares Marner
Bunting ROR Kerfoot
ZAR Kampf Accari

 

[SprDaVE]

 

[TMLAM34]

I'd start him on the 4th and let him work his way up. And yeah I think Lafferty has been the weakest forward going back awhile.

I'd be hesitant to touch the Knies, ROR and Acciari line.

Wherever they decide to play him, it definitely gives us plenty of options to work with and he’s an upgrade on either Aston Reese or Lafferty.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Lafferty should be the one to come out. Kerfoot goes down to playing with Kampf and ZAR.

Jarnkrok Matthews Nylander
Knies Tavares Marner
Bunting ROR Acciari
ZAR Kampf Kerfoot

Though I think I'd make him sit one more game. Either starts fresh in game one vs Boston or goes back in for game six.

 

[keonsbitterness]

Tough call, but I'm leaning to sit him out for game five and then see what happens.

 

[wingman75]

Interesting. I thought the exact opposite lmao, I noticed ZAR laying the body and Lafferty basically being invisible other than falling over the bench after last nights OT winner

But one of those 2 should come out for Bunting. I'd keep Bunting in the bottom 6 though, I have a bad feeling he's gonna take a dumb penalty at a crucial moment.

Personally, I feel both ZAR and Lafferty have done exactly what has been asked of them. Extremely limited ice time, so when you are out there, do something positive or at least not-negative. Other than game 1 they have been having at a minimum, even shifts. They get caught out vs a top line they scramble, show me a team where that's not going to happen.

Considering the team has won three in a row, I stick with it for at least one more game.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Just because you've won doesn't mean you can't make your team better. The team has played pretty bad for a lot of the last 2 games.

I agree. I'm not happy with what Bunting did, but you give him a smack in the head, tell him to be smarter and ice your best lineup. Yes we've been winning but expecting to keep winning playing the way we've been playing isn't a smart idea. Samsonov's been bailing us out but we might need to bail him out one of these days.

 

[ITM]

Both? He wasn't perfect towards the end of his stint. He's a solid young player. I don't know what you think he was but he was pretty average for awhile. I'm sure he's probably among the first call-ups if the Leafs need a forward but let's pump the breaks.

Bunting has been a big contributor to this team over the last 2 seasons. There's no need to galaxy brain this lineup. Bunting should be in. Never been suspended before. He's a pest that brings an element that this team can use and he's actually a proven scoring top 6 winger. He'll be fine.

Re: Holmberg, I've only ever seen him fit in our bottom six with sparse spot-duty. He's not a dramatic shift to this club per se, but that's the point: He's Jarnkrok the Lesser. He's drama-free. He's a perfect fourth line option for us who will absolutely not affect the team's outcome with some random wobbler.

I don't think he did anything to warrant demotion either. Slumps of a fourth line kind happen as well. And sure, Bunting has been a good addition, etc, etc...

At best I would concede a shift by shift evaluation in the bottom six and the first sign of sideshow, bench him. Even then, it feels (to me obviously) wrong to insert him in given the undeniable fact, that we have won three games in a row without him in the lineup against Tampa, stylistic-points notwithstanding and off-setting.

And momentum matters.

But I'll post a Shawshank Redemption gif for him too if he impacts the game positively.

No fan base knows about the need for redemption better than us. Either way, GLG.

 

[Gallagbi]

Bunting in, ZAR out seems like the move.

Different role for Bunting, but one he can handle and change his focus. Gives you options if you need to swap lines as well. Our fourth line hasn't been great so far either

 

[wingman75]

Bunting in, ZAR out seems like the move.

Different role for Bunting, but one he can handle and change his focus. Gives you options if you need to swap lines as well

Even though I would not change the lineup, that is the biggest benefit. The flexibility Bunting provides. We all know Keefe likes to tinker (sometimes).

 

[kb]

Unpopular take here.

IMO the last thing this team needs is someone like Bunting to fire up TB and get them playing over the edge.

Game 1 shows exactly why. He will be a marked man, and all the theatrics we have seen since then were ignited by his hit on Cernak.

Leafs don't need this - at all. Keep the focus on winning....they got blown out with Bunting, and they have won 3 in a row without him.