Line Combos: So who are our starters?!!?

[WildcatMapleLeafs28]

you also need to remember Holland is playing on the worst team in the Eastern conference and Schenn on the 2nd worst. compared to Kadri who is playing on a much much better team. just saying. and I'm not saying Holland is better then Kadri cuz I don't think he is but keep those numbers in context.



I thought Broll was coming to camp?

Nope..

 

[WildcatMapleLeafs28]

and screw up one of our top prospect for another year, let him play sit the guys that wont be back next year, or trade them now.

Yes, that's what I'd expect to happen. This is my prediction , not what I want to see...

 

[dimi78]

With what's at camp right now under the context of what Nonis has talked about if Lombardi, MacArthur and Connoly have roster spots at forward over Kadri, Frattin, Komorov I will be a disappointed Leaf fan.

Burke's mistake was not making room for his younger players at last years trade deadline and it could possibly handcuff the organization to start this year anyway with what should be at the very least both Kadri and Frattin developing at the NHL level.

If Nonis can't trade either Lombardi, MacArthur or Connoly before the season starts I hope he has the balls to place them on wavers in favor of these 2 kids... That to me will be a statement that Nonis is on the right path with this team with what he calls "DOING IT RIGHT".

 

[Kingstonian84*]

With what's at camp right now under the context of what Nonis has talked about if Lombardi, MacArthur and Connoly have roster spots at forward over Kadri, Frattin, Komorov I will be a disappointed Leaf fan.

- Prepare to be disappointed to some extent then, because Nonis said there were a select amount of players the goofed badly down the stretch AND that those players would all be given a 2nd chance this season to redeem themselves. I don't like this any more then you do but Connolly is going to be here with the leafs, so is Mac and Lambo is on the line with the team. I do think Komorov will get a 4th liner role, he only signed a contract if he was to play on the leafs, its that OR he books the next flight back to Russia. I'm no huge Kadri fan BUT its time he gets a legit chance to either sink or swim, he has never been given a fair shot here and even I can admit that, time for the leafs to allow Kadri that chance.

 

[Hero]

Lupul - Bozak - Kessel
JVR - Grabovski - Kadri
Kulemin - McClement - Frattin
Brown/Mac/Orr/Connolly - Steckle - Komarov

MacArthur is dealt? We have so many wingers, it's insane.

 

[socratic]

Have there been any interviews or comments from coaches about connolly?

He obviously had a bad year last year, but he really can be a pleasure to watch when things are working for him. The tightened schedule is scary knowing Connoly's injury history, but he's probably the guy that can make the biggest difference if he plays up to his potential, though I get the sense that most leaf fans have given up on that idea.

As much as the idea of him feeding Kessel sounds great, I really don't think he fits in on that first line. Did he see any playing time with Macarthur last year? They'd be defensively liable, but I could see Macarthur, Kadri and Connolly playing a very good possession game together - they're all crafty, good passers and understand the spacing of the offensive zone very well.

 

[7even]

Lupul - Bozak - Kessel

MacArthur - Grabovski - Kulemin - JvR

Lombardi - Connolly - Frattin

Komarov - McClement - Steckel - Brown - Orr - Hamilton

Done. Fixed the winger problem. Just play with more people on the ice. Derp.

 

[Smif]

Lupul - Bozak - Kessel
JVR - Grabovski - Kadri
Kulemin - McClement - Frattin
Brown/Mac/Orr/Connolly - Steckle - Komarov

MacArthur is dealt? We have so many wingers, it's insane.

I like this lineup the best. Pretty decent top 6 and a gritty bottom 6 with size. That's gotta be Brown on the 4th line LW for sure tho.

 

[Smif]

Lupul - Bozak - Kessel

MacArthur - Grabovski - Kulemin - JvR

Lombardi - Connolly - Frattin

Komarov - McClement - Steckel - Brown - Orr - Hamilton

Done. Fixed the winger problem. Just play with more people on the ice. Derp.

We're rolling 4 lines of 16 forwards and Kadri STILL can't make the team!?!?

 

[Punn]

The leafs have proven they are an offensively skilled team. Putting Kadri on the line is counter productive because 1) hes not going to get a lot of playing time and Randy specifically stated that having a skilled guy on the fourth line doesn't make sense 2) we need to be more defensively responsible and putting Kadri on the top two lines would not attribute to that.

My person opinion...

 

[7even]

We're rolling 4 lines of 16 forwards and Kadri STILL can't make the team!?!?

He's obviously playing backup G

 

[smitty10]

We're going to need to move some forwards, but the way things are right now:

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
JvR-Grabovski-Kulemin
Macarthur/Kadri-McClement-Frattin
Komarov-Steckel-Brown
MacIntyre/Lombardi/Connolly

Gunnarsson-Phaneuf
Gardiner*-Holzer
Liles-Komisarek
Fraser-Franson

Reimer
Scrivens

*if Gardiner can't start the year then Fraser will step into that spot.

Hopefully we can get Luongo. There are some guys on this team who are going to have to be moved quickly. I would have expected Burke to do something about this, but I don't really know what to expect from Nonis so I'm a bit worried. Getting a good goalie would be huge for this team under Carlyle's system and would go a long way to making us a playoff team. Guys like McClement, Steckel and Komarov are going to be relied on to be our role players with their unique skill sets and could be the real dark horses for this squad.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Seems to be a log jam of bottom 6 fwds, would like to see JVR with Kessel and Bozak

Lupul with Kule and Kadri, Grabo with Mac and Frattin. This line up may compete to keep us out of the Mackinnon and Jones sweepstakes. But that defence will be a challenge, if Reimer is not the real deal.

 

[pspot]

if they are going young then should guys like Colborne and Ashton get top 9 ?
so many players right now and confusing which direction this team is going

 

[ULF_55]

if they are going young then should guys like Colborne and Ashton get top 9 ?
so many players right now and confusing which direction this team is going

They probably are only allowed so many players in the line-up.

Who would be waived?

I'd be all for moving Lupul, MacArthur, Lombardi, Steckel for picks and giving ice time to the prospects.

JVR-Connolly-Kessel
Kulemin-Grabovski-Frattin
Kadri-Bozak-Ashton
Komarov-McClement-Brown

Spare: Colborne, D'Amigo

 

[slozo]

Carlyle will stick with what is familiar and what has worked in the past, going by what he has stated and just using common sense it being a very short training camp with zero exhibition games.

The kids will have to wait, for the most part, until injuries happen.

Lupul - Bozak - Kessel
JVR - Grabovski - MacArthur*
Kulemin - Connolly** - Frattin
Komarov - McClement** - Brown

spares: Steckel, Lombardi, Kadri, Komarov

* MacArthur may turn into Kadri depending on both players' performance naturally
**If Connolly is waived or traded like I suspect he might be, it's McClement at third line centre and Steckel at 4th line, a much better set-up IMHO.

Phaneuf - Gunarsson
Liles - Komisarek
Gardiner - Franson
spares: Reilly, Holzer

If Gardiner isn't ready, Holzer will be in there. I really really doubt Reilly gets in, but . . . you never know I suppose.

 

[cup67]

They probably are only allowed so many players in the line-up.

Who would be waived?

I'd be all for moving Lupul, MacArthur, Lombardi, Steckel for picks and giving ice time to the prospects.

JVR-Connolly-Kessel
Kulemin-Grabovski-Frattin
Kadri-Bozak-Ashton
Komarov-McClement-Brown

Spare: Colborne, D'Amigo

here is someone that knows about rebuilding a team. now if we make the playoffs with our young players, we have something to build on.
and the prospects would have NHL experence to bring to next year, full season

 

[crump]

With a short season, some argue you need a four line attack. 4th line needs to eat about 10 minutes at least. Not saying the fourth line needs to score like a second line, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Frattin or a "scorer" on there.

Big question by the end of the week. We're do Connolly, Lombardi stand? How is Mac playing?

People dismiss Lombardi and Connolly, but they are vets and I wouldn't count them out. Carlyle had Lombardi with Kessel and Bozak off the hop. Obviously not set in stone, but it shows Carlyle is going to give him a chance. Spots aren't open for Kadri and Frattin, they are going to be in tough. Komorov seems to already be a shoe in for a spot.

 

[cup67]

playoffs 2

now if the young prospects played, do you think they make the playoffs?
i think they would, there hungry, plus they would get experiance playing in the NHL.
carlyle can push them as hard as he wants and they would never complain.
plus it would push the other starters harder.

lupul-bozak-kessel
kadri-grabo-frattin
jvr- colborne-kuli
kamorov-macClement- brown , checking line

gunnerson-phaneuf
liles-kostka
fraser-holzer

 

[Clark4Ever]

Based on the current roster, until some vets are moved out for future considerations, I would go with this...

Lupul-Connolly-Kessel
JVR-Grabovski-Kulemin
MacArthur-Bozak-Frattin
Lombardi-McClement-Brown

Gunnarsson-Phaneuf
Liles-Franson
Gardiner-Komisarek

Hopefully, if some vets are moved pior to the trade deadline, I would then bring up Kadri, Komarov, and Holzer.

 

[InterceptSchenn]

now if the young prospects played, do you think they make the playoffs?
i think they would, there hungry, plus they would get experiance playing in the NHL.
carlyle can push them as hard as he wants and they would never complain.
plus it would push the other starters harder.

lupul-bozak-kessel
kadri-grabo-frattin
jvr- colborne-kuli
kamorov-macClement- brown , checking line

gunnerson-phaneuf
liles-kostka
fraser-holzer

no, that is not a playoff roster. that is up there with the blue jackets

 

[dfunk]

worst part of having connolly or lombardi, to an extent macarthur but not so much, is the money they're making. i really think 2 outta 3 of them will be moved for late picks or low grade prospects. my preferred lineup right now would be:

lupul bozak kessel
JVR grabo kadri
kulemin mcclement frattin
komarov steckel brown

13th forward one of the above 3 i mentioned in opening sentence or colton orr

i know this lineups pretty much been posted already but i think for this season you roll with the familiarity the top 3 have with one another, get kadri in their with a skilled guy and a big guy who will make room, have a physical/defensively sound 3rd line & a 4th line that can either be an energy/pest line with komarov & brown, or insert Orr when they feel he'd be needed.

Phaneuf gunnarson
gardiner* franson
Liles komisarek
holzer

If gardiner isnt ready to go i'd like to see rielly get a few games in

 

[APV]

Given the current roster, my ideal and hopeful lineup is as follows...


Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
JVR-Grabovski-Kulemin
Macarthur-Kadri-Frattin
Komarov-McClement-Brown

Lombardi, Connolly, Steckel

Phaneuf-Gunnarson
Gardiner-Franson
Liles-Holzer

Komisarek

Reimer
Scrivens

 

[Razz]

Given the current roster, my ideal and hopeful lineup is as follows...


Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
JVR-Grabovski-Kulemin
Macarthur-Kadri-Frattin
Komarov-McClement-Brown

Lombardi, Connolly, Steckel

Phaneuf-Gunnarson
Gardiner-Franson
Liles-Holzer

Komisarek

Reimer
Scrivens

Not bad at all, only thing is that you have a 24 man roster, so one guy has to go. It's probably going to be Lombardi IMO.

 

[zeke]

no, that is not a playoff roster. that is up there with the blue jackets

if you could point out where the blue jackets have two guys who scored PPG+ last year on their topline, or where they have 10 guys who've scored at a 40+ point pace over the last two seasons, that would be great.

thanks in advance.