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Speculation: When would you start considering busting up the KGM line?

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Saul Goodman said:
i'd break them up for the next game. reward kadri by giving him some bigger minutes untill grabo and kulemin get their acts together.

JVR - kadri - mac as the second line

kulemin - grabovski - komorov as the third line
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Good idea.

It sends the message, but also gives Komorov the opportunity to play with Grabo and Kule. Should be interesting. Worth the try.
 
I think the time is now. Grabs and Kulemin look flat. Kadri's performing like a legitimate top line guy. You can't have the former playing 18 minutes and the latter playing 10 just because the former have shown good chemistry in the past.

Bozak is still looking extremely comfortable between Lupul and Kessel, though.

I'd like to see these lines:

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
MacArthur-Kadri-Komarov
van Reimsdyk-Grabovski-Kulemin
Brown-McClement/Steckel-Orr

That's a solid 4-line system if Kadri can continue playing as he has the first two games. That's a very defensively reliable and speedy second line with some good aggressive potential from Komarov and a solid checking 3rd line with some possible offensive pop. van Reimsdyk has been underwelming in the first couple games, too, even with an extremely energized Kadri playing with him, so I can't see giving him a promotion. As well, while Gardner's out, Kadri should be on the 1st PP point with Phaneuf which would allow the KGM line to be your #2 PP unit. It's easier to build chemistry and offensive confidence on the PP, after all, so I'd do that and keep an eye out for any sign that they're clicking again.

I still feel like the Buffalo loss was somewhat due to dressing a largely inexperienced defense, though, even though the majority was Miller. Holzer had a very poor game, Fraser was terrible and Kostka looked like a minor leaguer. If Phaneuf hadn't played so far over his head, that might have turned into a blowout. Even if Franson was in for one of those three, I think it might have at least been a more defensively strong game, if not enough to win us the game.
 
trade macarthur for anything or put on waivers and bring up frattin. Mac coughs the puck up way too much leaving or trying to leave his own end. He also at this point is what he is 15-20g and near same in assists 82g's. If frattin is part of the future he should be up here he might do better or given experience be able to next year. Mac will not be here next year; so give the opportunity to a player that will be. Also puts a right handed winger on that line with kul and grab
 
caribouPINE said:
Kulemin destroys that line offensively. He has zero touch, no offensive instincts, takes forever to get his shot off, telegraphs his plays and really doesn't have any confidence in the offensive zone.

I think it's time we realize Kule is a 3rd line checker.

Not that JVR deserves it, but at least I can see an offensive side to him- I'd try JVR-Grabbo-Mac
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Took the words and line suggestion right out of my mouth.

Time to quit living off his season from two years ago. The season is too short to wait and see if he's going to turn it around. May be too late by then.
 
gabeliscious said:
i think statistically macarthur has been far more consistent then kulemin.


id like to see what would happen if carlyle put the players in the positions where they should be playing. in positions where they will be set up to succeed.

ie;

bozak = 3rd line center with some offensive upside. why not put him as the third line center.

kulemin = 3rd line checking forward, great defensively and on pk, why not put him there?

kadri = nifty mittens. put him with players who can keep up offensively

id like to see;


lupul kadri kessel
jvr grabs mac
kulemin bozak frattin
brown mclemment komorov


imo orr isnt needed.

pp1 = lupul-kadr-kessel-phaneuf-gardiner (when healthy)
pp2 = jvr-grabs-mac-liles-franson
pk1 = mclemment-komorov-komisarek-gunnarson
pk2 = bozak-kulemin-phaneuf-gardiner
Click to expand...

I like these but leave Frattin where he is for now. Leave Koma on the third line and Orr on the 4th.
 
Patience is required. None of these players are high-end offensive players that one should expect regular and consistent production from them.

While the line has always been a solid 200 foot / 3 zone line, with MacArthur (+3), Grabovski (Even), Kulemin (+2) based on last years +/- figures being among the best Leaf forwards as a trio at ES, and therefore dependable defensively as a unit, while their offense has always been streaky in the past running hot and cold throughout.

Grabs and Kulemin have been playing on the big ice in the KHL, and there is an adjustment period back the smaller ice North American game. Also some adjustment to Carlyle new style that all players will face early on.

No need to panic as the Leafs have only given up 3 goals against in 2 games as the focus switches to team defense, and are no longer a run and gun offensive attack team, so offense is secondary concern and no longer a primary one.
 
Interactif said:
This is what I want to be tried.

Bozak Kessel JVR
Kadri Lupul Kule
Mcclement Grabo Mac
Steckel Orr Brown
Click to expand...

I laughed hard. Lups and Kessel are soldered together. Letting Kadri try C makes more sense the that. Terrible line proposal
 
gabeliscious said:
i think statistically macarthur has been far more consistent then kulemin.


id like to see what would happen if carlyle put the players in the positions where they should be playing. in positions where they will be set up to succeed.

ie;

bozak = 3rd line center with some offensive upside. why not put him as the third line center.

kulemin = 3rd line checking forward, great defensively and on pk, why not put him there?

kadri = nifty mittens. put him with players who can keep up offensively

id like to see;


lupul kadri kessel
jvr grabs mac
kulemin bozak frattin
brown mclemment komorov


imo orr isnt needed.

pp1 = lupul-kadr-kessel-phaneuf-gardiner (when healthy)
pp2 = jvr-grabs-mac-liles-franson
pk1 = mclemment-komorov-komisarek-gunnarson
pk2 = bozak-kulemin-phaneuf-gardiner
Click to expand...

Love these lines. 4th line fighters are an absolute joke in this NHL. There is no need for a team to have 1 let alone 2 fighters. (Orr AND Brown).

Get Frattin up here, get rid of Orr. Roll these lines. ALOT BETTER TEAM
 
shaner89 said:
Love these lines. 4th line fighters are an absolute joke in this NHL. There is no need for a team to have 1 let alone 2 fighters. (Orr AND Brown).

Get Frattin up here, get rid of Orr. Roll these lines. ALOT BETTER TEAM
Click to expand...

Orr has done his job well in both games.
 
4evaBlue said:
Next 8 Games:
Grabovski: 6 GP, 0 Goals, 0 Assists
MacArthur: 8 GP, 3 Goals, 0 Assists

Next 9 Games:
Grabovski: 3 Goals, 2 Assists
MacArthur: 0 Goals, 3 Assists

It wasn't until Christmas time when the line started becoming a consistent offensive threat (for a month and a half, anyways). I honestly don't even care as much about scoring, I just don't want teams to be able to almost complete ignore the 2nd line, and them only managing for 3-4 shots on net combined per game.

I want teams to have to make a difficult choice on which line they chose to use their best checking forwards / shutdown defenders on any given night, and the other line being able to "punish" them on the scoresheet while facing less defensively capable opposition.
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Hey you just asked how long it might take for the line to get going. I think an 8 game stretch last year of great production can be deemed as "getting it going". There are not many players on the Leafs that are going to put up consistent offensive number all season. The team is full of streaky players, it sucks but this is the realization of the forward group.
 
Drew311 said:
Hey you just asked how long it might take for the line to get going. I think an 8 game stretch last year of great production can be deemed as "getting it going". There are not many players on the Leafs that are going to put up consistent offensive number all season. The team is full of streaky players, it sucks but this is the realization of the forward group.
Click to expand...

8 games in a 48 season? Plan of golfing in May.
 
Badger Mayhew said:
Orr has done his job well in both games.
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Agreed. Can't believe he took down Scott last night and he is still contributing otherwise unlike in the Wilson days. It's good to see him not just go out for a fight, sit in the box, then sit on the bench for the entire game. He looks like he's in better shape too. :handclap:
 
Interactif said:
I don't form lines based on body language as stupid as that one was. :laugh:
Click to expand...

Body language is every bit as good an indicator of who a coach plays and does not play as anything. If you see Kessel on the bench after slumping ten games hanging his head going into a shoot out, do you pick him or Grabs who is fired up and just potted one. Same with tenders everything, body language speaks to the observant what and when words can not. You can dismount your mechanical mathematical grabovski hating mechanical horse now.
 
There are no more excuses for Kulemin,and MacArthur on the 2nd line anymore they have been playing overseas and should be in prime shape and ready. Kulemin doesnt do much, and should be a 3rd line winger and Mac is struggling. I like the JVR-Kadri-Mac combo if tried, and the Kule-Grabo-Komarov line it make more sense to me. I really like what Bozak has been doing out there, he is winning f/o's and creating stuff, the 1st line is good we need to see more of Kadri and JVR on the 2nd.
 
devilishleafs said:
There are no more excuses for Kulemin,and MacArthur on the 2nd line anymore they have been playing overseas and should be in prime shape and ready. Kulemin doesnt do much, and should be a 3rd line winger and Mac is struggling. I like the JVR-Kadri-Mac combo if tried, and the Kule-Grabo-Komarov line it make more sense to me. I really like what Bozak has been doing out there, he is winning f/o's and creating stuff, the 1st line is good we need to see more of Kadri and JVR on the 2nd.
Click to expand...

Sign. I want try them with grabs too
 
If Kulemin doesnt respond soon I say we trade him for a producing winger or possibly grab a goalie like Bernier.
 
devilishleafs said:
If Kulemin doesnt respond soon I say we trade him for a producing winger or possibly grab a goalie like Bernier.
Click to expand...

Good call. For me there are only a few Russians I would have, the reason being is most I have seen lack grit and determination for some strange reason. Komarov is one I like for the record.
 
I don't know why everyone keeps saying 2nd line and 3rd line. They had almost the exact same ice time last night.. It's more of a middle six than one or the other line being part of the top 6.

I'd like to see the top 9 look like this:

Lupul - Bozak - Kessel (Bozie's been our best center, keep him up)
Kulemin - Grabo - Komorav (Let Komorav give the line some energy)
JVR - Kadri - Macarthur (Some strong sheltered offence)
 
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