Next Year’s Lineup

[Stephen]

Honestly Matthews and Marner together are way too soft of a line. Any team playing the leafs essentially walk into the second series at full health.

Dubus is probably right that the NHL is trending into a soft skills game but he’s a decade too early. It wouldn’t surprise me if he pivots to ice some beast of defenceman like habs did

I think the problem is you need a better mix of skill and brawn with the individual players and not have some guys who dangle and some guys who scrum.

 

[Stephen]

It’s pretty much expected that Foligno will go resign with Columbus right? He has no interest in being here longer term

Heard Minnesota might be an option for him to play with his brother.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Who do you guys think will be the best wingman for AM? In terms of style.

Any line Matthews centres will need a set up man and a physical forward that can win puck battles.

 

[Cobra777]

next years lines don't matter this core AM's 1st 2 seasons was once a beautiful wine that has quickly turned to vinegar and will go nowhere, all you have to do is watch other REAL play off hockey games to witness this.

 

[TML Dynasty]

Any line Matthews centres will need a set up man and a physical forward that can win puck battles.

I dont like the idea of a pure grinder, but a physical forward as u say....that is also another shooting threat would be awesome. If we are keeping M&M together that gives Marner another option to pass to and gives Matty more room. Marner and Robertson on the same line is pretty damn soft so it cant be him.

 

[Rude Dog]

Seth Jones would be interesting. Who knows his salary demands and cost to acquire him. But a big physical D with a big shot on the PP changes the identity of this team with a guy who can actually play too. Rielly is a UFA. Maybe look to trade him to the Nucks. Use some of this assets to acquire Jones. Or Hamilton as a free agent. Would likely mean the end of Hyman as well. Anyone else get the sense Hyman isn’t taking a big discount and won’t be back based on the tone of his exit interview?

 

[Rude Dog]

Love Mikey but he hasn’t been a factor at all in any of his 12 playoff games. Need guys on the 3rd line who will be physical and chip in with 10-15 goals.

 

[Rude Dog]

Always said the fourth line should be made up of young guys with a lot of energy doing whatever they can to stat in the NHL. While I would keep Spezza he needs youth around him. Guys like Moore and Leivo come to mind. Maybe Joey Anderson.

 

[Gilles Meloche]

Hyman – Matthews – Marner
Galchenyuk – Tavares – Nylander
Robertson – Kerfoot - Mikheyev
Haula – Cizikas - Engvall

Spezza - Brooks

Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Holl
Sandin - Bogosian

Lillegren

Campbell
Mrazek

I still don't see any radical changes like everybody is expecting except maybe Gallant as Head Coach. Dermott lost in the expansion draft, Hyman, Galchenyuk, Spezza and Bogo all resigned and Mrazek, Haula and Cizikas added as FA's

 

[ER89]

Strict 4th line minutes. If anyone thinks we lost because of either of those two guys, take a deep breath. We didn't.

I still like some of what each of them bring... but, especially for Thornton, he was put in a posiiton to not succeeed and that is on Keefe. Hoping he learned from that. I also feel if Simmonds doesn't get hurt his time with us is very different... We're going to need at lesat 3 guys on this roster to be at or near the league minumum... Spezza is one...

Thornton sucks move on

 

[Stephen]

Seth Jones would be interesting. Who knows his salary demands and cost to acquire him. But a big physical D with a big shot on the PP changes the identity of this team with a guy who can actually play too. Rielly is a UFA. Maybe look to trade him to the Nucks. Use some of this assets to acquire Jones. Or Hamilton as a free agent. Would likely mean the end of Hyman as well. Anyone else get the sense Hyman isn’t taking a big discount and won’t be back based on the tone of his exit interview?

Depending on cost I think it may be useful to bring in Hamilton or a signed Jones, keep Rielly and then think about moving Muzzin out for futures. He’s a big ticket and getting older and has been injured the past 2 elimination games. Is he going to be more banged up and less durable as time goes on?

 

[Cams]

Don't be surprised if Hallinder pushes for a spot down the middle (3rd line?)

 

[Mugzy97]

For those who played Hockey or coach hockey.
Is it difficult to have different lines playing different styles like your top line play a more skill possession game and then your third line play a more dump and chase game, all due to having the right players for the style. Always want to ask that.

You can, but the tough part is if someone gets injured or you only get half a change, it can cost you since the mixed players won't be on the same page

 

[ItsFineImFine]

Sadly these lineups look too similar and the only new players people are slotting in are cheap ones so I don't see it happening. Same coach also = same coaching decisions mostly which we've seen now in the past two playoffs.

I don't expect significantly different results without significant changes.

 

[Not My Tempo]

If we don't trade Marner, we're basically just gonna run it back next year.

My preferred route is to trade Marner for a worse first line winger and use the cap savings to get someone else in free agency. As an example trade Marner for Tkatchuk/Tarasenko/whoever + whatever, and then sign somoene like Saad in FA. Use Andersen's free space to re-sign Hyman and a backup. If we lose Kerfoot in expansion, we should be able to find a 3C with his money. Maybe rather then lose him we can pay Seattle a B prospect or whatever to take Mikheyev?

 

[17 Clark]

Love Mikey but he hasn’t been a factor at all in any of his 12 playoff games. Need guys on the 3rd line who will be physical and chip in with 10-15 goals.

Well the pansies chip no goals in lmao Are you trying to deflect the pressure off the two pansies I think he’s someone you can work with The two snowflakes believe they own the Toronto Maple Leafs They need to get knocked off their little perch

 

[JT AM da real deal]

So I’m done rehashing the mess this ended up being and ready to look forward.

this is what I see for us next year so far:

Amirov. Matthews. Marner
Robertson Tavares. Nylander
Mikheyev. Kerfoot
Engvall. Brooks

Reilly. Brodie
Muzzin. Holl
Sandin Liljegrin

Campbell


Is Amirov ready? Do we lose Dermott in expansion? 2 forwards and a goalie with approx 10 mil space. Spezza wants back so maybe that’s one for cheap. Hyman? Do we get a backup goalie or look at a better starter?

Simmonds? Bogosian? I liked what they brought....is there room?

Just some thoughts to hopefully give me something to look forward to lol

Very questionable whether that team gets 4th spot in atlantic and 2nd wildcard .. and even then it is a 1st round guaranteed playoff loss as every guy up front on that squad is SOFT as butter except Brooks .. no one to get pucks .. no one with KILLER instinct .. no size .. no strength .. Leafs are in danger of completely dropping into lottery system again .. very sad for me

 

[Amadeus]

Corey Perry - Auston Matthews - Mitch Marner
Brock McGinn - John Tavares - William Nylander
Barclay Goodrow - Alexander Kerfoot - Ilya Mikheyev
Pierre Engvall - Jason Spezza - Luke Glendening
Nicholas Robertson/Adam Brooks

Morgan Rielly - T.J Brodie
Jake Muzzin - Justin Holl
Mike Rielly - Zach Bogosian
Rasmus Sandin

Jack Campbell
Jonathan Bernier

 

[showtime8]

I think it will be important to see who becomes the 3rd line centreman on the team next season. I can appreciate that Kerfoot looked better this season, but he's not a centreman.

When Tavares was injured in Game 1, it became a scramble to find out who might be good in that spot.

If they do move one of the big 4 forward contracts, I would hope that there's more stability brought in for that 3rd line spot. I believe you can find cheaper winger contracts to fill in the roster and actually put up some numbers in a top 6 role.

I've actually thought about a package for Marner going to Arizona for Nick Schmaltz, Lawson Crouse ++. Put Schmaltz as your 3rd line centre with the ability to play anywhere in the line-up. You've got the big body Crouse play alongside Tavares or Matthews. You take a huge step back in terms of pure talent on the team, but improve the balance throughout. Not sure what the add ons would be, but I'd like to see one of those goalies as a tandem with Campbell, given the fact that they want to give Adin Hill more time in the crease.

 

[Aus34Matt]

It’s pretty much expected that Foligno will go resign with Columbus right? He has no interest in being here longer term

I doubt he stays. He's seen the locker room and has an idea who returns/stays next season.. I'd consider Foligno gone.

 

[shortfuze]

I doubt he stays. He's seen the locker room and has an idea who returns/stays next season.. I'd consider Foligno gone.

so youre saying that because the locker room was soft that he wont return?

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Seth Jones would be interesting. Who knows his salary demands and cost to acquire him. But a big physical D with a big shot on the PP changes the identity of this team with a guy who can actually play too. Rielly is a UFA. Maybe look to trade him to the Nucks. Use some of this assets to acquire Jones. Or Hamilton as a free agent. Would likely mean the end of Hyman as well. Anyone else get the sense Hyman isn’t taking a big discount and won’t be back based on the tone of his exit interview?

Da math is very very simple man .. he will get 5.5M for 7 years from Oilers (same deal as Anderson with habs in COVID times) .. we can go 8 years to lower AAV and we can use cash upfront for a hometown discount .. da number ends up around 4.5M+ (as Zach is a little better than Anderson) for 8 years front loaded .. da only question left to ask is does Dubie do it or not? .. don't overthink it

 

[Gabriel426]

You can, but the tough part is if someone gets injured or you only get half a change, it can cost you since the mixed players won't be on the same page

Thanks for the response.
Just another follow up question. We are talking about pro athletes and they are the best of the best in World. Are they really that narrow mind or stubborn to the point that they can’t adjust with who they are playing on the ice?

 

[Gabriel426]

Da math is very very simple man .. he will get 5.5M for 7 years from Oilers (same deal as Anderson with habs in COVID times) .. we can go 8 years to lower AAV and we can use cash upfront for a hometown discount .. da number ends up around 4.5M+ (as Zach is a little better than Anderson) for 8 years front loaded .. da only question left to ask is does Dubie do it or not? .. don't overthink it

Anderson is better than Zach bc he can score.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Very questionable whether that team gets 4th spot in atlantic and 2nd wildcard .. and even then it is a 1st round guaranteed playoff loss as every guy up front on that squad is SOFT as butter except Brooks .. no one to get pucks .. no one with KILLER instinct .. no size .. no strength .. Leafs are in danger of completely dropping into lottery system again .. very sad for me

This could legitimately be a huge fall from grace from the day Lou left. If we miss the playoffs next year (Tampa, Boston, Florida probably take 3 of the 4), it will be a monumental fail for Kyle and the boys. That will surely be the last year of him being a GM in the NHL.