New Line combos and roster thread

[aingefan]

It’s not about vilifying them. If this was 4 years ago and they’re. at their present stage of development, I say put both in the lineup. But we’re trying to set up a Stanley Cup winning team. They’re not what we need right now to fulfill that. Like IPS said, which of these two has the great shot? Which is the big banger?

It is not impossible to develop players on winning teams. Lili has put in his time. His game is developing just like Jake Muzzin’s.
And yes, players get vilified allll the time in this market by fans and media.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

It is not impossible to develop players on winning teams. Lili has put in his time. His game is developing just like Jake Muzzin’s.
And yes, players get vilified allll the time in this market by fans and media.

Of course players get vilified in here, but that's not what I was doing. IMO, they are not the type of defencemen we need right now. Sandin is definitely not ready and he proved that last playoff. Liljgren you can make a case for starting over Dermott, but once again, he's not what we need. As for the comparison with Muzzin, I just don't see it. Muzzin is one of our 2 best defencemen, and I don't think we would have lost either the play-in or in the first round if he had remained healthy. We'd be lucky if he develops into a Muzzin-lite.

 

[hockeynorth]

I would be so happy if we went

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

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Liljegren
Dermott-Holl
Sandin

Campbell
Mrazek

 

[Folignos Helmet]

I see Semyonov as 13th forward. Engvall traded or demoted. And Lily or Dermott as 7th D. Issue is I don’t think they can quite get that under the cap. May need some daily ups and downs to carry the xtra daily cap.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I would be so happy if we went

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

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Liljegren
Dermott-Holl
Sandin

Campbell
Mrazek

I think you have this very close to right too but only Keefer matters .. my only change would be move Willy to C .. Kerfoot to his left and try either Mik/Wayner on da right side .. Kamph yeah I did not really know him but watching him last night yes for sure our shut down 4th line C .. I like Lily over Sandin right now too and a match woith Muzzy is perfect for both of them .. Sandin needs time with Marlies to work on his foot speed .. I would tell him same .. soon as you can keep up in races we will bring you back up .. right now you are costing team every game getting beat with foot speed

 

[Cecithepylon]

I would be so happy if we went

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

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Liljegren
Dermott-Holl
Sandin

Campbell
Mrazek

Makes sense to me. Matthews carries a line with good role players. Jt-Marner is proven good. Kerfoot-nylander is proven good. Sneaking willy on the third is kind of like what Pitt did with kessel.

 

[hamzarocks]

Ritchie - Matthews - Marner --> 20 mins
Nylander - JT - Kase --> 18 mins
Bunting- Kerfoot - Mikheyev --> 13 mins
Brooks - Kampf- Spezza --> 9mins

13th man: Simmonds who rotates spots with Brooks every 3-4 games

That would be my starting 12. If Mikheyev sucks after 15-20 games trade him and promote one of Joey Anderson, Pierre Engvall, Nick Robertson or a PTO if any of them make it to the AHL.

I think the bottom 6 can be good, but we should honestly consider moving mikheyev if he can't finish and brooks continue to look like a quality shot finisher who can get into tight spots and get chances. Moving mikheyev saves us cap allows Brooks to move onto the 3rd line and lets us bring Engvall into the lineup whose 85% of Mikheyev for about 75% of his salary.

 

[hamzarocks]

Makes sense to me. Matthews carries a line with good role players. Jt-Marner is proven good. Kerfoot-nylander is proven good. Sneaking willy on the third is kind of like what Pitt did with kessel.

Nylander-Kerfoot won't work over the course of 82 games. Kessel got hot and caught fire on the HBK line but he didn't play 3rd line following that during the regular seasons or in the 2nd cup run

Those guys won't get enough minutes on the 3rd line and Nylander isn't good enough to put up 70ish points over a season with Kerfoot as his best linemate, especially with pateneted offense killer IlyaMikheyev on the left. We'd see Nylander's production, usage and role fall heavily which could impact his confidence going into the playoffs

Having a star on the 3rd line can work for brief spurts, but with the top line likely play 20+ and same with 2nd line (if MM and JT were to be together) then WN would get 14-15 minutes a game which is a drastic misuse of him imo

 

[jaric1862]

To start the season:

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

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Dermott

Campbell
Mrazek

 

[Twine Tickler]

after watching the first 2 games of the preseason, this is how I would Ice our roster come opening night. Obviously this is dynamic, and lots can change from my perspective between now and October 13th but this is how I'd have it:

Salary Cap: $81,500,000
Cap Hit: $81,133,116
Cap Space:$366,884

Ritchie - Matthews - Marner
Bunting - JT - Willy
Kerfoot - Kampf - Kase
Micheyev - Brooks - Spezza
Simmonds

Rielly - Brodie
Muzz - Liljegren
Sandin - Holl
Mennel

Mrazek/Campbell

PP1:
Willy - JT - Auston
Sandin - Marner

PP2:
Bunting - Kerfoot - Spezza
Reilly - Liljegren

**waive Engvall, trade Dermott for pick(s)**

 

[ACC1224]

after watching the first 2 games of the preseason, this is how I would Ice our roster come opening night. Obviously this is dynamic, and lots can change from my perspective between now and October 13th but this is how I'd have it:

Salary Cap: $81,500,000
Cap Hit: $81,133,116
Cap Space:$366,884

Ritchie - Matthews - Marner
Bunting - JT - Willy
Kerfoot - Kampf - Kase
Micheyev - Brooks - Spezza
Simmonds

Rielly - Brodie
Muzz - Liljegren
Sandin - Holl
Mennel

Mrazek/Campbell

PP1:
Willy - JT - Auston
Sandin - Marner

PP2:
Bunting - Kerfoot - Spezza
Reilly - Liljegren

**waive Engvall, trade Dermott for pick(s)**

Only change I would make is Dermott for Sandin. He needs more time in the AHL.

 

[Twine Tickler]

Only change I would make is Dermott for Sandin. He needs more time in the AHL.

The only reason I have Dermott off of the roster is because he wouldn't fit into the cap of a 22 man roster. But I do agree, If money were not an object I would not be opposed to Sandin starting in the minors and giving Derms a look on the 3rd pair LD. The only other way to roster a 22 man team and have Dermott on the squad would be to trade Micheyev in place of him. IMO Micheyev is more valuable to our team than Dermott. I think we can offset Dermott's minutes with Sandin in a reduced 5v5 role and PP specialist. Whereas Micheyev's PK ability and tenacity are not as easily replaceable with the options we have (Semyonov, Gabriel, Robertson, Anderson)

But that's just my opinion.

I do like Dermott as a player, and ideally I don't want to lose him, but unfortunately something has to give to have a 22 man roster. Engvall is the obvious 1st part, but something else will have to occur. No taxi squad this year, so running a 21 man roster might be a bit tougher to navigate. Not impossible, just not ideal either.

 

[ACC1224]

The only reason I have Dermott off of the roster is because he wouldn't fit into the cap of a 22 man roster. But I do agree, If money were not an object I would not be opposed to Sandin starting in the minors and giving Derms a look on the 3rd pair LD. The only other way to roster a 22 man team and have Dermott on the squad would be to trade Micheyev in place of him. IMO Micheyev is more valuable to our team than Dermott. I think we can offset Dermott's minutes with Sandin in a reduced 5v5 role and PP specialist. Whereas Micheyev's PK ability and tenacity are not as easily replaceable with the options we have (Semyonov, Gabriel, Robertson, Anderson)

But that's just my opinion.

I do like Dermott as a player, and ideally I don't want to lose him, but unfortunately something has to give to have a 22 man roster. Engvall is the obvious 1st part, but something else will have to occur. No taxi squad this year, so running a 21 man roster might be a bit tougher to navigate. Not impossible, just not ideal either.

Got it, makes sense. I wasn't thinking about cap.

 

[Ashdown2]

Got it, makes sense. I wasn't thinking about cap.

i think kerfoot is gone ... hes got an identity crisis on this team and isnt worth the cap hit.
if they trade him for a rando 1.5 to 2mil player we would also be able to field a full 23 man roster.

 

[tmlfan98]

I don't mind trading Dermott. He hasn't proven to be effective on any special teams, and allows us to play both Sandin and Liljegren, who both look ready.

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Liljegren
Sandin-Holl

 

[zeke]

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

Rielly --- Brodie
Muzzin --- Holl
Dermott -- Liljegren

Campbell
Mrazek​

Capspace: $111,051.00​

Pray that Menell skates through waivers. See if you can sign Ho-Sang to a minor league deal.

Robertson --- Amadio --- Ho-Sang
Douglas --- Brooks --- Anderson
Abramov --- SDA --- Gogolev
Steeves --- Semyonov --- McKenna
(Seney --- Gabriel)

Sandin --- Menell
Rubins --- Holowell
Kral --- Duszak
(Kivihalme - Biega)
(Dahlstrom)

Hutchinson
Kallgren
(Petruzzelli)

​

 

[Ashdown2]

trading kerfoot fixes pretty much all the cap problems for this season and allow the leafs to carry a 23 man roster.
we all "like" kerfoot , but his cap hit and identity crisis on this team makes no sence.

If you trade him for a 1.5 mil player that still leaves 500k cap which will acrrue ALOT of space for any trade deadline pickup.
Hell, if the kraken still want him trade him for someone like mason appleton+ picks

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

Ritchie Matthews Marner
Bunting Tavares Kase
Brooks Kerfoot Nylander
Mikheyev Kampf Spezza

Rielly Brodie
Muzzin Liljegren
Dermott Holl

I wouldn't mind seeing Nylander carrying his own line. Having him on the 3rd line preying on weaker opposition could be deadly. Brooks quietly produces when he is in the lineup. Could be a decent scoring 3rd line. Mikheyev and Kampf become the shutdown line. Im intrigued to see more of Ho-Sang.

 

[Twine Tickler]

trading kerfoot fixes pretty much all the cap problems for this season and allow the leafs to carry a 23 man roster.
we all "like" kerfoot , but his cap hit and identity crisis on this team makes no sence.

If you trade him for a 1.5 mil player that still leaves 500k cap which will acrrue ALOT of space for any trade deadline pickup.
Hell, if the kraken still want him trade him for someone like mason appleton+ picks

View attachment 466822

Trading Kerfoot is definitely an option I personally would be OK with. I agree with you whole heartedly, we all like Kerfoot, but he is replaceable. And his Cap hit is relatively hard to manage in our cap dynamic. I also think him moving to the wing makes it less logical for him making what he makes. All that said, there are a couple reasons why I don't think this will happen.

1) I just watched the most recent "blueprint" on youtube. Which showed the Leafs brass talking over the McCann deal and how it was designed specifically to keep Kerfoot in the expansion draft. Leafs Brass really likes Kerfoot. I don't entirely disagree, he is a very effective player.

2) I think his adaptability is going to be a huge key for us this year. I would not be surprised to see a Hyman level of movement of Kerf in our lineup throughout the year. He showed in the playoffs that he can play with Nylander, and in the event of an injury at Centre in the top 6 throughout the year, he is very capable of filling in at 2C, whereas Brooks, Kampf, and Engvall are clearly not able to. He also can play on the wing in that top 6 should Bunting and/or Ritchie poop their pants.

KD specifically spoke of the Kampf signing as being able to allow for a more flexible use of Kerfoot in our lineup. I think they are very high on Kerf, and I just don't see it happening personally.

But I totally agree with your logic, it's just hard to manage if/when an injury occurs at centre sans Kerf

 

[Ashdown2]

Trading Kerfoot is definitely an option I personally would be OK with. I agree with you whole heartedly, we all like Kerfoot, but he is replaceable. And his Cap hit is relatively hard to manage in our cap dynamic. I also think him moving to the wing makes it less logical for him making what he makes. All that said, there are a couple reasons why I don't think this will happen.

1) I just watched the most recent "blueprint" on youtube. Which showed the Leafs brass talking over the McCann deal and how it was designed specifically to keep Kerfoot in the expansion draft. Leafs Brass really likes Kerfoot. I don't entirely disagree, he is a very effective player.

2) I think his adaptability is going to be a huge key for us this year. I would not be surprised to see a Hyman level of movement of Kerf in our lineup throughout the year. He showed in the playoffs that he can play with Nylander, and in the event of an injury at Centre in the top 6 throughout the year, he is very capable of filling in at 2C, whereas Brooks, Kampf, and Engvall are clearly not able to. He also can play on the wing in that top 6 should Bunting and/or Ritchie poop their pants.

KD specifically spoke of the Kampf signing as being able to allow for a more flexible use of Kerfoot in our lineup. I think they are very high on Kerf, and I just don't see it happening personally.

But I totally agree with your logic, it's just hard to manage if/when an injury occurs at centre sans Kerf

i mean its not ideal but i think its a necessary evil to be honest.
i would have to say 1) was before free agency and the emergence of kase and bunting has maybe made kerfoot redundant at that price point. i agree with 2) but we can probably find a cheaper option out there for a guy who can play multiple positions. This isnt a kerfoot for picks , a body does need to come back.

 

[Twine Tickler]

i mean its not ideal but i think its a necessary evil to be honest.
i would have to say 1) was before free agency and the emergence of kase and bunting has maybe made kerfoot redundant at that price point. i agree with 2) but we can probably find a cheaper option out there for a guy who can play multiple positions. This isnt a kerfoot for picks , a body does need to come back.

Ya, Like I said, I am not close minded to the idea of moving Kerf. He is far from untouchable. That said, I am certainly not open to the idea of an injury putting Engvall or Brooks as our 2C. So yes, a body would have to come back that can play up the middle. I am not sure we will find a much better option near the 2M AAV mark if I'm being honest. I agree, 3.5AAV sounds steep for our 3rd line, especially under our cap structure. But Kerf will be a swiss army knife for us this year. To the same capacity Hyman was. That is value in and of itself.

Engvall is not going to be on this roster, that is all but guaranteed. Therefore to have a 22 man roster one of Dermott, or Micheyev will have to go. Time will tell.

Maybe the emergence of Josh Ho-Sang can make Micheyev available. He likely won't resign next year anyway if the reports of him wanting a trade were true. It wouldn't be my first choice. I think Ilya does a lot for our team despite not scoring. Extremely hard on the puck and great PK'er.

Dermott just seems like the only option to me. Mennel and Lilly look ready to me. I would be very angry if Lilly is not given a shot this year. I honestly think he is better than Dermott already, and he has been ready to play for a long time. Dermott has failed to break through to the next step despite being given every chance to do so. He has really only shown consistency in a reduced role (bottom pair). Which he does quite well IMO. But Lilly has more upside, and to me is already the more effective player in every aspect. It really doesn't make much sense to me to move Kerf or Micheyev just so that we could retain Dermott as our #7 D-man. Would much rather move Derms, Dress Lilly, and have Mennel as our #7.

If Derms pops off elsewhere, tip of the cap to him. It's a risk I'd be willing to make. And looking at it from an outside perspective, I think I'd give up a 2nd or 3rd for Dermott. Something we could really use next year. Maybe that's just me being biased as I like Dermott, but he is still a decent young player at a decent cap hit.

Let's put it this way, I don't think we would be trading away a future Norris candidate

 

[hobarth]

It's interesting that Bunting, who NJ let go for nothing and TO signed for $.95 mil., and Ritchie who TO signed for $2.5 mil even tho his best offensive was last year's 15 goals are like sho ins on many fans' rosters?

The Bunting signing made sense, at $.95 mil. he's demotable.

The Ritchie signing is questionable, he's not fast, not particularly defensively responsible, has a very so so/poor offensive history but he's very physical yet a team that has traditionally treasured the physical players didn't resign him. TO had a uninspired 17th or 18th best PKing record last year, will Ritchie add more strain by being himself.

Ritchie is 25 and Bunting 26, I doubt we can expect them to improve significantly at their ages.

 

[zeke]

Ritchie is 25 and Bunting 26, I doubt we can expect them to improve significantly at their ages.

Don't need any improvement.

I'll take Bunting's 39gl/51pt pace and Ritchie's 22gl/38pt pace from last year no problem.

 

[Stephen]

Does Mennell have a reasonable case to make the Leafs?

 

[zeke]

Does Mennell have a reasonable case to make the Leafs?

Probably yes.

He looks legit skilled and a very good skater. Probably bad defensively but if they're thinking sheltered 3rd pair with PP duties then he could make sense.