GDT: Training Camp Discussion PART II

[egd27]

And your post makes the assumption that Matthews specifically requested marner on his wing when we’ve never been presented any evidence if it being the case. As far as we know, this is just Keefe’s preferred combinations

You're not necessarily wrong but your post suggests you have inside knowledge.

I'm not suggesting that you don't but the odds are not in your favour.

Oh it's definitely an assumption, but it does happen, and there has been a couple pieces of evidence that suggest the Leafs have gone out of their way to keep Matthews happy.

 

[stickty111]

Kral opened a lot of eyes this camp. With a good Marlies start, he can put himself in call up territory.

 

[IPS]

TBH I prefer Marner with Matthews. Team's with 2 superstars usually put them on 2 different lines so they don't put all their eggs in one basket, but Tavares and Nylander make a 1st line on many teams in the league.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Your reasoning is sound, however you're first sentence indicates a certain naivety as to how things may actually work.

There's no evidence that Matthews and Marner being together is anything other than the coach's decision. They are together because that's what's best for the team.

 

[Sypher04]

Oh it's definitely an assumption, but it does happen, and there has been a couple pieces of evidence that suggest the Leafs have gone out of their way to keep Matthews happy.

that’s fair. Such is the relationship between franchise and franchise player

 

[ACC1224]

Oh it's definitely an assumption, but it does happen, and there has been a couple pieces of evidence that suggest the Leafs have gone out of their way to keep Matthews happy.

It's not unreasonable or unheard of to suggest that they want to play together.

 

[Menzinger]

If his health maintains hes probably the most skilled LW on the team. Would refer him over Soup on the second line

 

[Coachcorner]

If his health maintains hes probably the most skilled LW on the team. Would refer him over Soup on the second line

But Bunting's finna play that tavares second hand role sire. I thought ritchie and bunting were confirmed as our starter thugs for the opening night in the top six sesire.

 

[D4ngleSZN]

Cheering for Campbell to win the Vezina lol

 

[D4ngleSZN]

How has Campbell and Mrazek look? I.e who's looking like they're going to take the starting job

 

[Tarmore]

This one has been done before, but with only 3 more games in pre-season...

I like Kerfoot as a player, what he brings nightly and his ability to play center and wing as a point producing player

But

I also like what the Leafs can do with his 3.5M cap space. They could carry a full line-up (depending on the cost of the extra players) and have flexibility to rest players with bumps and bruises easily. Also the ability to accrue cap space if they so choose.

Also

If the Leafs were to move Kerfoot it would have to be a hockey move and not take back salary (other than waver eligible players or picks). I think that is the difficult part...

 

[hockeynorth]

I’m of the opinion now that we should try and move Kerfoot and/or Mikheyev

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

 

[egd27]

There's no evidence that Matthews and Marner being together is anything other than the coach's decision. They are together because that's what's best for the team.

But they are so unlucky together, how is that best for the team?

 

[I am Canadian]

Ritchie has been known to disappear. Not a huge fan of him being on a life with two guys who also struggle like that.

 

[egd27]

It's not unreasonable or unheard of to suggest that they want to play together.

Yup, it has been documented that they do.

Matthews denies rift with Babcock, wants to play with Marner more

On another note, Matthews acknowledged he doesn't make the lineup decisions but said he'd like to play with Mitch Marner more in the future, per Johnston.
Marner echoed that sentiment, according to NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger.

 

[Dekes For Days]

But they are so unlucky together

You think luck is from lineup decisions?

Yup, it has been documented that they do.

Of course they do, like any player would. But you seem to have missed a very important part of that quote in your post:

Matthews acknowledged he doesn't make the lineup decisions

 

[djdev]

If his health maintains hes probably the most skilled LW on the team. Would refer him over Soup on the second line

i think thats what keefe is alluding to tbh, hes gonna give mik his shot but if he starts slow kase will take that spot.

 

[Notsince67]

i think thats what keefe is alluding to tbh, hes gonna give mik his shot but if he starts slow kase will take that spot.

I think kase is a really good player but 5 concussions are not good. I will be astounded if he can play a full season.

 

[djdev]

I think kase is a really good player but 5 concussions are not good. I will be astounded if he can play a full season.

for sure its not good, but hes still a very talented player and has proven he can score. if he gets injured theres other options and im sure the leafs are prepared for that possibility with his history.

 

[nuck]

This one has been done before, but with only 3 more games in pre-season...

I like Kerfoot as a player, what he brings nightly and his ability to play center and wing as a point producing player

But

I also like what the Leafs can do with his 3.5M cap space. They could carry a full line-up (depending on the cost of the extra players) and have flexibility to rest players with bumps and bruises easily. Also the ability to accrue cap space if they so choose.

Also

If the Leafs were to move Kerfoot it would have to be a hockey move and not take back salary (other than waver eligible players or picks). I think that is the difficult part...

If you want an upgrade on Kerfoot it would need someone who has proven offense at least equal to his, with better C skills and you need to spend the same or hopefully less I think. That means something like Kerf plus a couple of other pieces gets you an improved Kerf. Kerfoot is a known quantity, and like him or not we have probably seen his floor so the safe Dubas move has to be a better C with at least the same offensive floor. The new guy cant be a sub 20 point contributor no matter what, because the bottom 6 is already light on finish. That probably means a guy on his ELC which will cost even more, or a one year rental. Everybody wants a solid #3c and there are not many good and cheap ones who would be available.

I don't think its realistic that they would try a cheap internal fix and have an extra $2.5M to spare, they are thin on centers. This is a do or die year for Shanny and KD so they won't make changes because a guy might do something good if given more minutes, they need a win, and that means they need to see #3C as a real issue and they have to be willing to spend some talent to get their guy. With the assets they have spent the last couple of years with no results, is a Kerfoot replacement where they will open the wallet one last time.

I think that is something for the next GM to decide because the club would have had much better options over the summer if they saw it as a need.

 

[Gabriel426]

Would be so funny if they trade Engvall and he breaks out like Karlsson did a few seasons ago with Vegas. It will be lets blame on Dubas and Keefe....

 

[Tarmore]

If you want an upgrade on Kerfoot it would need someone who has proven offense at least equal to his, with better C skills and you need to spend the same or hopefully less I think. That means something like Kerf plus a couple of other pieces gets you an improved Kerf. Kerfoot is a known quantity, and like him or not we have probably seen his floor so the safe Dubas move has to be a better C with at least the same offensive floor. The new guy cant be a sub 20 point contributor no matter what, because the bottom 6 is already light on finish. That probably means a guy on his ELC which will cost even more, or a one year rental. Everybody wants a solid #3c and there are not many good and cheap ones who would be available.

I don't think its realistic that they would try a cheap internal fix and have an extra $2.5M to spare, they are thin on centers. This is a do or die year for Shanny and KD so they won't make changes because a guy might do something good if given more minutes, they need a win, and that means they need to see #3C as a real issue and they have to be willing to spend some talent to get their guy. With the assets they have spent the last couple of years with no results, is a Kerfoot replacement where they will open the wallet one last time.

I think that is something for the next GM to decide because the club would have had much better options over the summer if they saw it as a need.

Nope @nuck I never mentioned upgrading Kerfoot, the team improvement would be having a full roster and being able to swap players out.

I forgot to mention that rotating players around was something Keefe did well while coaching the Marlies, so there is that too.

 

[Tarmore]

Would be so funny if they trade Engvall and he breaks out like Karlsson did a few seasons ago with Vegas. It will be lets blame on Dubas and Keefe....

As a fan.... not sure why that would be funny.... unless you are not a fan!

 

[Gabriel426]

As a fan.... not sure why that would be funny.... unless you are not a fan!

It is funny bc most Leafs fans here think he is useless and placeholder.
Beside, if he really become Karlsson 2.0, he won’t do that as a Leafs bc he hasn’t shown he could.
Just like whoever Leafs signs, we want them to break out and have career seasons….same could be said with other teams fans.

 

[egd27]

You think luck is from lineup decisions?

Of course they do, like any player would. But you seem to have missed a very important part of that quote in your post:

I didn't miss it.....I used in my post.