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So, what are our top 13 forwards and what do we need?

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Tarmore said:
IT looks that way but, we don't know that yet.
Click to expand...
We have to hope some of these waiver wire reclamation projects brought in this year are more for depth and its Leafs kids on the Marlies that will be taking the roster spots.

"Play the Kids"

You can't just hand Nick Robertson a job he needs to earn it by beating out a Malgin or Gaudette.
 
I think the only way we realistically take a step forward this year is if Robertson puts it together and can be the answer to that 2nd line left wing (I'm not super bullish on those chances). Kerfoot put up a lot of points last year but I still don't really like him, he also has a knack for screwing up skill plays with our stars. I would be shocked if he put up so many points again this year, would like to see him traded for his cap space or maybe played on the fourth line.
 
Tarmore said:
IT looks that way but, we don't know that yet.
Click to expand...
Reminds me of last year, when people claimed that Bunting was some nobody that Arizona threw away, Kampf was just some guy with 1 goal, and Kase was just for LTIR so we'd get free cap space (even though that's not how LTIR works).

And then we crushed franchise records.
Crosscrease14 said:
Can spend all day shuffling deck chairs but it's really Jarnkrok and 5 borderline replacement level players in the bottom 6 at this point.
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Even if we assume Kerfoot is top-6, and you're not convinced with any of the lesser-priced additions, or any of our prospects, not sure where you think Kampf and Engvall went.
 
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It would be fun to see a Prediction Contest as to what the final roster might be. I know it's early, but you could already fill out 80% of the opening night line-up.
 
Assuming Kerfoot is gone and no one else comes in:

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Robertson-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Aube Kubel
Abruzzese-Jarnkrok-Gaudette

If Robertson isn't ready:

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Jarnkrok-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Aube Kubel
Abruzzese-Gaudette-Simmonds

Abruzzese's spot can be taken by Holmberg/Anderson/Steeves.
 
Face Of Bear said:
Assuming Kerfoot is gone and no one else comes in:

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Robertson-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Aube Kubel
Abruzzese-Jarnkrok-Gaudette

If Robertson isn't ready:

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Jarnkrok-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Aube Kubel
Abruzzese-Gaudette-Simmonds

Abruzzese's spot can be taken by Holmberg/Anderson/Steeves.
Click to expand...
Hoping Robertson can handle that. I think Abruzz needs a full year in the AHL.
 
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Mess said:
We have to hope some of these waiver wire reclamation projects brought in this year are more for depth and its Leafs kids on the Marlies that will be taking the roster spots.

"Play the Kids"

You can't just hand Nick Robertson a job he needs to earn it by beating out a Malgin or Gaudette.
Click to expand...
I'm holding out hope that one of the 'Kids' or signings hit.

If I'm picking some one to make a vast improvement over expected growth it would be a goalie or a defensemen, that could really transform this team.
 
Magic Man said:
We go with 12 forwards on the roster and use Robertson as the top call-up, Clifford would be next in line to help make up for the lack of grit.

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Kerfoot - Tavares - Nylander
Engvall - Kampf - Jarnkrok
Simmonds - Malgin - Aube-Kubel
ex. Robertson and Clifford
Click to expand...
Maybe switch Robertson and Kerfoot, or 4th line C
 
Pyrophorus said:
Maybe switch Robertson and Kerfoot, or 4th line C
Click to expand...
If Kerfoot is traded I think Robertson takes his place on that 2nd line.

Gaudette would be my 15th forward. I think it's more likely Malgin wins that race. He's a nice luxury to have backing up Malgin though, you almost don't want to bring a center from the top-3 lines down to line 4 because of vast difference in player quality between the 3rd and 4th line. They don't need to be playing limited minutes on the 4th line, so if Malgin isn't an option, they can bring Gaudette up and keep the top rotation going.
 
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conFABulator said:
Bunting / Matthews / Nylander
Robertson / Tavares / Marner
Engvall / Kampf / Jarnkrok
NAK / Kerfoot / Anderson
Malgin

Anderson and Malgin because of waivers concerns.

This is a bad allocation if cap dollars with Kerfoot as 4C

Trade Kerfoot and sign a ZAR or a Rodrigues or both. Gaudette could fill on the 4th also.

Simmonds and Clifford will clear waivers and get called up throughout the year. We add a bit more toughness and grit at the TDL once we confirm we need it
Click to expand...
It's the East

It's the Eastern playoffs. We need it and so do your stars
 
darrylsittler27 said:
It's the East

It's the Eastern playoffs. We need it and so do your stars
Click to expand...
Agreed, that's why I said when we "confirm" we need it, rather than "decide" if we need. I 100% agree we will need to add toughness.

This is why I like trading Kerfoot for draft choices and reallocating those funds to ZAR, Rodrigues and having room for some of Simmonds Clifford, and Anderson...maybe even Douglass in the lineup.

darrylsittler27 said:
It's the East

It's the Eastern playoffs. We need it and so do your stars
Click to expand...
Agreed, that's why I said when we "confirm" we need it, rather than "decide" if we need. I 100% agree we will need to add toughness.

This is why I like trading Kerfoot for draft choices and reallocating those funds to ZAR, Rodrigues and having room for some of Simmonds Clifford, and Anderson...maybe even Douglass in the lineup.
 
We need more goal-scoring and more size. Fortunately two of our top forward prospects have those attributes (Robertson goal-scoring, Knies goal-scoring and size). Curtis Douglas is another prospect who’s huge and has a knack for fighting and physicality.
 
Outside of our big 4, bunting and maybe jarkock our forward group is pretty bad all waiver players.

We really don’t have many options. If our young players Lily and Robertson can’t elevate there game a bit this year we are looking at another first round loss unless our defense and goaltending is among the top of the league.
 
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Jimmy Firecracker said:
We need more goal-scoring and more size. Fortunately two of our top forward prospects have those attributes (Robertson goal-scoring, Knies goal-scoring and size). Curtis Douglas is another prospect who’s huge and has a knack for fighting and physicality.
Click to expand...
Knies is going back to college this year, but I like what he can potentially bring after his season is over, or next year.

re: Douglas - is he a good fighter? capable to go against guys like Maroon, Wilson, etc.? I know he's huge. I had got rid of my Spitfires season tickets long before he came here to play, and I honestly don't know much about his game other than he is huge.
 
Dekes For Days said:
Reminds me of last year, when people claimed that Bunting was some nobody that Arizona threw away, Kampf was just some guy with 1 goal, and Kase was just for LTIR so we'd get free cap space (even though that's not how LTIR works).

And then we crushed franchise records.

Even if we assume Kerfoot is top-6, and you're not convinced with any of the lesser-priced additions, or any of our prospects, not sure where you think Kampf and Engvall went.
Click to expand...
You did leave out Mrazek and Ritchie who really had zero impact at over 5m in cap as well. You have to weigh the good and bad.

As for the bottom 6 I don't think Kerfoot fits on the third line and is wasted on the fourth at his cap hit and talent.

Engvall and Kampf had solid seasons last year but I wouldn't be crushed to see either player replaced. Hope they both outpace last year and prove me wrong though.
 
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5 on 5 - 54 min/night

Bunting-Matthews-Marner ------- 16 minutes/night.
NAK-Tavares-Anderson ------------12.5 minutes/night.
Robertson-Kerfoot-Nylander -------13 minutes/night.
Engvall-Kampf-Jarnkrok ----------12.5 minutes/night.
 
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Racer88 said:
Is this the same Keefe that sat Liligren in favour of Holl during the playoffs
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Please don't remind us. It's time to play the kids Keefe, you are a coach.

I may have overlooked internal improvement somewhat and be noticing Spezza is not on the 4th line anymore. Clifford and Simmonds need to come in like they are playing for their lives because in reality they are.

Steeves, Holmberg,Robertson and perhaps Douglas later could help another line develop and give us some flexibility to let Kerfoot and Holl go.

I'm hearing Holl to Edm for Pulijarvie ? That would greatly help that 3rd line.
 
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Cams said:
Knies is going back to college this year, but I like what he can potentially bring after his season is over, or next year.

re: Douglas - is he a good fighter? capable to go against guys like Maroon, Wilson, etc.? I know he's huge. I had got rid of my Spitfires season tickets long before he came here to play, and I honestly don't know much about his game other than he is huge.
Click to expand...

I know Knies won't join for a while, but the way he and the team talk regarding him it's all but guaranteed he will see NHL time as soon as he's able this season.

Douglas is a menace. Big, strong, and just the right amount of crazy. He's what you want out of a fourth line enforcer.







Side note, going through these fights and AHL refs are far too quick to break up bouts.
 
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