What's our shutdown line?

[Puckstuff]

I was thinking something like this:

Ritchie Matthews Marner (20 min)
Bunting Tavares Nylander (20 min)
Kerfoot Spezza Kase/Simmonds (10 min)
Mikheyev Kampf Anderson (10 min)

I think I like this the best. Anderson will be in tough to. crack the roster though.

Top 6 should be 6 of these 7. Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares, Ritchie, Bunting and Robertson. Robertson with an electric camp could steal a top 6 spot from Ritchie or Bunting. Robertson might be undersized but he plays aggressive and has 25-30 goal potential. Now. But I think Ritchie and Bunting are the front runners.


My shutdown line is Kampf (one of the best) with Mikeheyev (very good shutdown player) and one of Engvall or Kase. This would be one of the most responsible 4th lines we have had in a very long time. You could play them 12-15 minutes and it wouldn’t bother me.

Scoring third line is Spezza, Kerfoot and one of Kase, Simmonds.

I agree with other posters Simmonds is the weak link for me. He probably finds his way on the roster though but I’m not impressed with defence.

Ideally winger is upgraded at the deadline using LTIR.

 

[Morgs]

yeah, I really don't know what Dubas saw in his play last year that convinced him the team needed another two years of that. He's not good enough to be on the team except as a fill in for injuries

To be fair, he was doing pretty well until he got injured. If he can bring that level an entire season we could do worse for a 4th liner.

But in reality he was really bad last year and with Joe pretty easily the worst F come playoff time. Made me think Keefe liked him being around so Dubas let him have this one, but I'm obviously not sure. At least he is completely buryable and I'm sure some bonehead team would like what he brings if Dubas/Keefe realize he isn't going to get playing time.

 

[Buds17]

I think Kampf and even Mikheyev are more likely to find themselves on the third line rather than the fourth. I wonder though if what we're seeing of the forward group is what we'll be getting come opening night? I'm probably alluding to a subtraction more than I am an addition.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

Kadri is a defensive liability.

This js why we are so much better defensively without him.

So no memory of how he demoralized McDavid? He was definitely used as our shut down centre and also had amazing offensive numbers at the same time.

 

[4thline]

Which is why I initially asked the OP in what situations would they employ what they envision as a "shutdown" line?

To me, the "classic" version is how Danault was deployed against us in the playoffs. I don't see Keefe using anyone in that fashion.

That's a very extreme version, but a much simpler one is having a bottom 6 line that you trust implicitly late in games, dzone draws and against stars. Cheap minute munchers that give you a back up plan to the power on power hard match, freeing up some top line time to exploit other match ups.

 

[4thline]

So no memory of how he demoralized McDavid? He was definitely used as our shut down centre and also had amazing offensive numbers at the same time.

He succeed in man on man coverage situations, but overall he was way more of a "matchup" centre than a "shutdown" centre. High event icetime that he was able to break even in.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

I'm starting to warm up to the idea of making our big money guys prove it on their own line (not to bury/expose them, show there worth and give teams match up fits)

Ritchie - Matthews - Nylander
Bunting - Tavares - Robertson
Mikhayev - xxxx - Marner
Simmonds - Kampf - Spezza

Still holding out for us to snag someone like Dvorak.
That being said; our "shutdown" line is that of hitting teams with a steady dose of skill...and not worrying about line matching or shutting teams down; because it's time for us to control the pace.

 

[A1LeafNation]

In what situations would you employ what you envision as a "shutdown" line?

I would hope they would play 10 min a game to start and line them up against teams top lines.

Essentially Leafs wouldn't have to worry about exposing their own 4th line and hopefully it creates mismatches for the rest of the game.

Leafs first line would be fresher and line up against an inferior opposing line.

Leafs second line would be fresher and line up against an inferior opposing line.

Leafs third line would be fresher and line up against an inferior opposing line.

 

[Fogelhund]

So no memory of how he demoralized McDavid? He was definitely used as our shut down centre and also had amazing offensive numbers at the same time.

Remember that one game when......

 

[Gary Nylund]

He succeed in man on man coverage situations, but overall he was way more of a "matchup" centre than a "shutdown" centre. High event icetime that he was able to break even in.

I would only add that it was icetime against the opposing teams top lines that he was able to break even in, super valuable. He was quite the player for us for several years there!

 

[The Iceman]

I originally was hoping for a:
Engvall - Kampf - Soup
Mimicking the Hyman - Engvall - Soup line from last year

after thinking about it a little more I would like a little more offense
Soup - Kampf - Kase

 

[Racer88]

Well exactly.

Couple that with the "classic" shutdown line goes up against the other teams best offensive weapons. There is no way in hell the Keefe is going to use his third or forth lines for 20+ minutes a game against McDavid-Drai or the Bergeron line. (for example)

That's why I believe the Tavares line will be the closest thing we use to go up against the opposition's best.

You are probably right

 

[Twine Tickler]

To me I cannot see a reason not to play Micheyev and Kampf on the same line. That would be extremely hard to play against with just those 2. It may be a bit offensively challenged but I really think they'd be a f***ing nightmare for the opposition. Which is ultimately something we have really lacked in years past.

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Ritchie - Tavares - Nylander
Kerfoot - Kampf - Micheyev (checking Line)
Robertson - Spezza - Kase

if nothing on our roster changes from now to opening night, then that's what I'd go with.

I really think that's a lineup that you could roll the lines with. And situationally double the top line or ice the super line (Willy-Matthews-Marner) after an icing, end of period, after a PK...etc

also I think this is a lineup that is relatively set from the C-RW spots. And if any line shaking needs to occur it can almost exclusively occur on the LW side from 1-4

 

[bossram]

Right now this is what my lines are:

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

None are exactly 'shutdown' as it's kind of a silly concept when you don't need shutdown lines, but each line is very good defensively with at least 2 decent play drivers on each line.

Still have no idea why we signed Simmonds. Guy isn't even the 13th best forward on this team.

100% aligned with this philosophy. The Leafs can roll 4 good lines. Just do that. A "shutdown" line is an obsolete concept. What is the point of running a line that, at best, you just hope nothing happens on the ice?

The best "shutdown lines" are ones like the Gourde line with Tampa, Danault with Montreal, and Stone with Vegas. They're not even really purely defensive lines. They're just elite two-way lines that drive goal differential.

I also agree that Simmonds would be my 13th guy on paper, but I do think he'll be in the lineup (partly because of stupid deference to ineffective veterans) because Kase being able to actually play hockey is seriously in question.

 

[bossram]

I'm starting to warm up to the idea of making our big money guys prove it on their own line (not to bury/expose them, show there worth and give teams match up fits)

Ritchie - Matthews - Nylander
Bunting - Tavares - Robertson
Mikhayev - xxxx - Marner
Simmonds - Kampf - Spezza

I wouldn't be opposed to "spreading the wealth" but Tavares is the one that'll need help, with either Nylander or Marner next to him. His footspeed necessitates having a strong transition player on his wing, ideally two.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

I wouldn't be opposed to "spreading the wealth" but Tavares is the one that'll need help, with either Nylander or Marner next to him. His footspeed necessitates having a strong transition player on his wing, ideally two.

I believe Bunting and Robertson do just that.
Both are hounds when on their game....and JT has been accustomed to making (lesser) players looked very good in NYI.

I doubt it happens and also doubt media/fans would allow this experiment to actually play out.
(With Marner on the "paper" 3rd line)

 

[Zybalto]

I think the addition of Kampf helps us have 4 good defensive centers.

Matthews was one of the better shutdown centers last year and Tavares had decent numbers as well but the playoffs showed we need more well-round centers in the bottom 6, especially in case of injury. Once Tavares went down last playoffs, it left us with only Matthews and Kerfoot who could play a decent defensive game against tough comp. Engvall isnt bad but hes inconsistent and I feel much better than last year in this area.

 

[meefer]

To me I cannot see a reason not to play Micheyev and Kampf on the same line. That would be extremely hard to play against with just those 2. It may be a bit offensively challenged but I really think they'd be a f***ing nightmare for the opposition. Which is ultimately something we have really lacked in years past.

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Ritchie - Tavares - Nylander
Kerfoot - Kampf - Micheyev (checking Line)
Robertson - Spezza - Kase

if nothing on our roster changes from now to opening night, then that's what I'd go with.

I really think that's a lineup that you could roll the lines with. And situationally double the top line or ice the super line (Willy-Matthews-Marner) after an icing, end of period, after a PK...etc

also I think this is a lineup that is relatively set from the C-RW spots. And if any line shaking needs to occur it can almost exclusively occur on the LW side from 1-4

I like it. My only change would be to flip Marner and Nylander. I think the way Marner sees and plays the game is a better fit with the speed Ritchie and Tavares play.

 

[Once]

Mikheyev - Kampf - Kase

Strong two-way and can transition the play with some finish. Kampf and Kase also played together in Chomutov.

If Mikheyev can get back to his pre-wrist injury thats a much more dangerous line...but alas.

 

[notbias]

Remember that one game when......

While ignoring the games where McDavid was shut down this year...

 

[Budz]

I’d still like to see Willie centre a 3rd line.

Kerfoot Matthews Soup
Ritchie JT Marner
Bunting Nylander Kase
Engvall Kampf Spezza

 

[Eb]

Mikheyev - Kampf - Kase

 

[Eb]

Mikheyev - Kampf - Kase

Strong two-way and can transition the play with some finish. Kampf and Kase also played together in Chomutov.

If Mikheyev can get back to his pre-wrist injury thats a much more dangerous line...but alas.

Damn. Missed this

 

[Eb]

I originally was hoping for a:
Engvall - Kampf - Soup
Mimicking the Hyman - Engvall - Soup line from last year

after thinking about it a little more I would like a little more offense
Soup - Kampf - Kase

Yup this is how my thinking has went too.
Bunting - Engvall - Spezza fourth line please.

 

[Stonehands1990]

So no memory of how he demoralized McDavid? He was definitely used as our shut down centre and also had amazing offensive numbers at the same time.

Sniping 30 goals and taking the top matchups