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The Fourth Line

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Clark4Ever

Clark4Ever

What we do in hockey echoes in eternity...
Oct 10, 2010
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I have seen enough to come to the conclusion that Barabanov is not good enough to be a regular on the fourth line.

Moving forward, I think Engvall deserves to be a mainstay. Spezza and Boyd should be as well with Anderson rotating in every now and then when Spezza needs rest.

Once Thornton comes back, he can be added to the rotation ahead of Boyd and Anderson.

What do you guys think?
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Think whatever i guess. Keefe is going to keep using his depth to keep players fresh and competing.
 
I only caught a bit of yesterday's game, but Barabanov had alot of energy - looked like playoff type intensity.
 
Barabanov experiment should be over, he's a second late arriving to every puck and never wins puck battles 1v1.
 
I don’t agree with the cancel mob growing against Barabanov. He has not played anywhere even near enough to get comfortable or get any chemistry going yet. It can’t be easy with the language barrier he is dealing with either.
I think he needs to play in the Ahl for a bit, get used to Toronto, have some fun on the ice and let it evolve. 5 minutes per game is not serving him well. Playing with Abramov and a solid veteran on the Marlies and months down the road before i would even attempt to evaluate the guy.
Good wheels and goes to the dirty areas but with nothing good or bad in his game. I give the guy months to find his groove personally. Hasn’t hurt us a single time defensively. Give him time.
 
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Wafflewhipper said:
Not a chance. There is no way in the world this is not a premature thought. I just don’t get the thinking bro
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You think there's not a chance that he's simply not cut out to be an NHL player? Idk man he just looks like a fish out of water to me every game, just has a really flawed concept of positioning, not like it's the end of the world considering it's only our fourth line but I can't really justify sitting Boyd and Engvall over this guy.
 
Engvall-Boyd-Spezza would be my ideal fourth line at this point. I suppose the tricky part with Barabanov is does he not produce because he does not receive the minutes? Or, does he not receive the minutes because he does not produce? I don't think he's been an outright liability. I just couldn't put him in the lineup right now ahead of the aforementioned trio, and even some others like Anderson.
 
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Oscar Peterson said:
You think there's not a chance that he's simply not cut out to be an NHL player? Idk man he just looks like a fish out of water to me every game, just has a really flawed concept of positioning, not like it's the end of the world considering it's only our fourth line but I can't really justify sitting Boyd and Engvall over this guy.
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No chemistry you are right on the money. I think he needs Ahl time. Not because of his work ethic or skills. He just needs amount of time to learn english and play regularly. This is not the best situation for him right now. He goes to the dirty areas, needs a pass for some time before writing him off. He moves good. Nothing working for him.
I’m definitely not saying he’s been good. Just saying we shouldn’t write him off in fairness to the mental part of the game. He isn’t on mentally, likely zero confidence and tension etc. You know what i mean. I’m just inclined to be patient.

Edit: I just forgot one thing. Being hard against the cap is a team direction with these Ltir statuses we have. His cap plays a role. That said, we all see Keefe kind of see’s it like you do by giving him very limited minutes. If he hurt us defensively keefe would be not playing him. Keefe doesn’t play him much. That favours your opinion. Not saying you are wrong. I’m just wanting to keep having a look much longer.
 
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Clark4Ever said:
I have seen enough to come to the conclusion that Barabanov is not good enough to be a regular on the fourth line.

Moving forward, I think Engvall deserves to be a mainstay. Spezza and Boyd should be as well with Anderson rotating in every now and then when Spezza needs rest.

Once Thornton comes back, he can be added to the rotation ahead of Boyd and Anderson.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Agree to disagree...Barabanov is a gamer, he’s always involved and he’s definitely not a minus when on the ice...he works well on the 4th line while he learns the NHL game...he finishes his checks, works hard and is rarely out of position...can’t ask for much more from a 4th liner...not to mention as much as I like engvall he’s too soft to be a 4th liner...the guy rarely finishes a check (and I don’t need these guys running around being huge crashers and bangers) but if you’re 4th line it’s not unfairn to expect you to finish your check even if it’s just a bump to throw a guy off stride...we have enough magic wand wavers on this team it’s nice to see a smaller guy be a gamer and at least give the bump
 
Buds17 said:
Engvall-Boyd-Spezza would be my ideal fourth line at this point. I suppose the tricky part with Barabanov is does he not produce because he does not receive the minutes? Or, does he not receive the minutes because he does not produce? I don't think he's been an outright liability. I just couldn't put him in the lineup right now ahead of the aforementioned trio, and even some others like Anderson.
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What’s with the engvall obsession here...the guy skates like the wind but he’s soft as baby doo doo, if he had the skill to be on the second line I’d be inclined to go with you on this but it isn’t a stretch to expect your 4th liners to be willing to bump and grind...I’m not asking for goon style take yourself out of position bangs but at least give the guy a bump to knock him off stride...we have enough wand wavers on this team we don’t need our 4th line winger doing it too...it’s one of the reasons I like Barabanov...at least he’ll give the bump and his positioning isn’t bad considering he’s played what 5 games in the NHL
 
4th line needs the fear of not playing.

I haven't seen enough of Barabanov yet.

Keep the blender going.
 
Oscar Peterson said:
Barabanov experiment should be over, he's a second late arriving to every puck and never wins puck battles 1v1.
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Not attached to the new shiny pieces yet. I wouldn't solidify the position of any player short of 9 or 10 players. Everyone else can fight for a spot.
 
Barbanov looked good on the forecheck and saw glimpses of what he can be over the course of the season so far. If he can put it all together can be a valuable depth piece.

I wouldn't be quick to cast him off just yet. There are positives in his game.
 
Papi 4 Hart said:
Barbanov looked good on the forecheck and saw glimpses of what he can be over the course of the season so far. If he can put it all together can be a valuable depth piece.

I wouldn't be quick to cast him off just yet. There are positives in his game.
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I seen the flashes too. This guy plays the dirty areas well in the Khl and isn’t nearly acclimatized to anything yet.
 
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Wafflewhipper said:
About the same as the ice time Keefe contributed.
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I'm not talking about 1 game, I'm talking about all season, Kerfoot was bad last night, and even then he still assisted on the game winner.

Barabanov has contributed nothing all season and I'm not just talking about offense, I mean NOTHING
 
I would like to go with something like this once healthy

Thornton - Matthews - Marner
Soup - Tavares - Nylander
Hyman - Kerfoot - Simmonds
Robertson- Spezza - Boyd

engvall , vesey, Anderson

My Logic:

-Jumbo, matts and marner worked. Despite what some may think. It was very effective. Certainly comparable to hyman/matts/marner. I dont like the idea of joe on a 3rd line playing without the puck the majority of the shift. Whereas Hyman is a dog on a bone, he is far more effective in that checking role.

-Soup on the second line has looked pretty solid to me so far. Maybe I am alone in that thought, but he is getting a lot of looks. At some point they will go in. His shooting % cant get worse, that's for sure lol. He also wins 50/50 pucks a lot more than he loses. I feel like it compliments a player like JT, who always seems to be in such a great support position. Ive really liked this line, despite the lack of scoring

-I have loved Simmonds game. Plays with energy, and surprisingly with decent pace. He seems to work well with Kerfoot and Vesey right now IMO, so it can only get better with Hyman in place of Vesey. This line would be a forechecking dream. pace and persistance

-4th line to me has Boyd and Spezza as mainstays, and rotation of forwards in and out. Robertson I think deserves a real look given how much he has given up to play for the Leafs (WJC gold). The kid wants it, and he works his ass off. something you want in a 4th liner. similar story with Boyd minus the skill lol

the 3 forwards on the outside looking in, I'd feel comfortable spot starting them anywhere in the lineup, just not consistently
 
JayfromNB1219 said:
Agree to disagree...Barabanov is a gamer, he’s always involved and he’s definitely not a minus when on the ice...he works well on the 4th line while he learns the NHL game...he finishes his checks, works hard and is rarely out of position...can’t ask for much more from a 4th liner...not to mention as much as I like engvall he’s too soft to be a 4th liner...the guy rarely finishes a check (and I don’t need these guys running around being huge crashers and bangers) but if you’re 4th line it’s not unfairn to expect you to finish your check even if it’s just a bump to throw a guy off stride...we have enough magic wand wavers on this team it’s nice to see a smaller guy be a gamer and at least give the bump
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I don't question his work ethic and I think he is a decent option to have when necessary. I just think that if you look at our overall forward depth, Barabanov is not among the best 12 forwards on the current roster. Once Thornton and Robertson return, he'll only slide further down the depth chart.
 
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