Why is Jumbo in the lineup

[ottomaddox]

That's just a silly comparison.

Kerfoot can play anywhere in the lineup and be effective. Top 6, bottom 6, wing or C, PP and PK. Sure hes not elite in any area but he's at least decent in pretty much any role.

Mikheyev and Engvall are role players but the difference is they play a role we need (defense and PK) and if they have to play up in the lineup they may not have the skill to keep up but at they provide speed and defensive value and dont drag the line down.

Ok so when Joe was on the top line (contributing), and Simmonds was on the 2nd line (contributing) were they not role players? Joe provided scoring on the top line. Simmonds seemed to provide scoring when put on 2nd-4th line.

I don't see it as all that much different. All players have a role. Sometimes players struggle after returning from injury. Right now Joe is at a 0.46 points per game. I don't see that he needs to be canceled.

 

[DarkKnight]

Ok so when Joe was on the top line (contributing), and Simmonds was on the 2nd line (contributing) were they not role players? Joe provided scoring on the top line. Simmonds seemed to provide scoring when put on 2nd-4th line.

I don't see it as all that much different. All players have a role. Sometimes players struggle after returning from injury. Right now Joe is at a 0.46 points per game. I don't see that he needs to be canceled.

To be fair, a lamp shade could probably get 30-40 points playing with Matthews and Marner.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

He is skating at less than junior level right now ... he can't keep up to da play ... he is getting rolled every time he touches da puck ... we have much better options for 4th line right now.. he needs an injury and LTIR ... bring him back for playoffs ... save some space

 

[CanadasTeam]

and i still like him or spezza on 3rd line at times over simmonds and engvall

Spezza is a no-brainer. I get what you're saying but as much as I like Thornton, right now I wouldn't lump his name in with the likes of Spezza, Simmonds (32 yrs, seems to be getting his legs back) or even Engvall who at least is not a liability.

 

[LeafParade]

If the Leafs add a winger at the deadline, he may have trouble staying in the lineup.

I think Simmonds needs some time to get back to where he was at the beginning of the year but if that happens, I have Thornton as the 12th forward, and 13th once a player is added at the deadline.

 

[VanW27]

Ok so when Joe was on the top line (contributing), and Simmonds was on the 2nd line (contributing) were they not role players? Joe provided scoring on the top line. Simmonds seemed to provide scoring when put on 2nd-4th line.

I don't see it as all that much different. All players have a role. Sometimes players struggle after returning from injury. Right now Joe is at a 0.46 points per game. I don't see that he needs to be canceled.

Like I said earlier, they can play a role but for me Spezza/Thornton/Simmonds all are best suited for the same role (sheltered 4th line wing with PP duty) and there aren't enough roster spots for 3 guys to play the same specialized role.

I think part of the difference in opinion here is that just isnt a role I value. We have enough high end talent that we don't need to bring in multiple depth players to soak up offensive zone starts and pp time. I want depth players who can play the hard minutes (pk and d zone) so Matthews/Marner/Taveras/Nylander can get out there as much as possible for offensive minutes.

 

[Jmo89]

Just my opinion, but I don't mind Thornton as long as he's bottom 6. He had a nice start with M&M, but then was playing top 6 when things fizzled and was also playing too many minutes.

His minutes should be kept around Spezza's. Maybe a little less. Ideally he would have additional days off, but is that possible with the current cap situation?

I still see him as someone who can step in in case of injury, and also being able to pot an important goal or two come playoffs. But his minutes need to remain low and his role needs to remain bottom 6.

On another note, hopefully Simmonds finds the gear he had pre-injury. I think both Jumbo and Simmonds are getting some extra criticism due to some bad coaching choices (lineup and powerplay.)

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Just my opinion, but I don't mind Thornton as long as he's bottom 6. He had a nice start with M&M, but then was playing top 6 when things fizzled and was also playing too many minutes.

His minutes should be kept around Spezza's. Maybe a little less. Ideally he would have additional days off, but is that possible with the current cap situation?

I still see him as someone who can step in in case of injury, and also being able to pot an important goal or two come playoffs. But his minutes need to remain low and his role needs to remain bottom 6.

On another note, hopefully Simmonds finds the gear he had pre-injury. I think both Jumbo and Simmonds are getting some extra criticism due to some bad coaching choices (lineup and powerplay.)

Wayner will get better as he plays more and gets his legs back to full speed ... you can see he is a little off speedwise after coming back ...once he gets it back to like a couple weeks before his injury look out ... he will be a monster again
Spezz is ok all year and last year too ... he is slow but very smart and his hands are still elite
Jumbo is a total different story just watch him now ... he is skating at an OHL level speed ... not AHL and far from NHL calibre ... you can't even call it slow it is tortous level and he can't contribute at all at this point except on bench in vocal support

 

[sxvnert]

Nothing wrong with having him in the lineup so long as he plays on the fourth line like Spezza.

 

[Menzinger]

Like I said earlier, they can play a role but for me Spezza/Thornton/Simmonds all are best suited for the same role (sheltered 4th line wing with PP duty) and there aren't enough roster spots for 3 guys to play the same specialized role.

I think part of the difference in opinion here is that just isnt a role I value. We have enough high end talent that we don't need to bring in multiple depth players to soak up offensive zone starts and pp time. I want depth players who can play the hard minutes (pk and d zone) so Matthews/Marner/Taveras/Nylander can get out there as much as possible for offensive minutes.

Though there's likely more to their presence in the team than pure on ice play. The front office and coaches continuously talk about their leadership role. Which will be especially needed in a tense post season series.

Which is why I don't mind them floating a couple of them up and down the lineup depending on need.

 

[Mr Hockey]

Though there's likely more to their presence in the team than pure on ice play. The front office and coaches continuously talk about their leadership role. Which will be especially needed in a tense post season series.

Which is why I don't mind them floating a couple of them up and down the lineup depending on need.

like Marleau, these older guys are brought in for leadership, experience, its not just about scoring

 

[57 Years No Cup]

He is skating at less than junior level right now ... he can't keep up to da play ... he is getting rolled every time he touches da puck ... we have much better options for 4th line right now.. he needs an injury and LTIR ... bring him back for playoffs ... save some space

Thornton and Andersen both need an "injury" and LTIR before the TDL. This is the year to go for it all.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Because the coach thinks he is better than the other options.

Why is this a thread?

 

[crump]

Schedule is insane. Is the Cap restricting the ability to rest him once in a while? I think he’s getting burnt out. He will be great experience and depth in the playoffs, need to manage him a little more.

If we were chasing a playoff spot I think I’d be more worried though.

 

[DarkKnight]

Schedule is insane. Is the Cap restricting the ability to rest him once in a while? I think he’s getting burnt out. He will be great experience and depth in the playoffs, need to manage him a little more.

If we were chasing a playoff spot I think I’d be more worried though.

If he can’t handle this schedule in the regular season, how will he possibly fare with the same in the playoffs, with the added intensity and wear it brings? Is mean I get resting him, but he’s already showing he can’t take the slightest “grind” so how that translates into playoff success escapes me. He’s a liability out there at the moment.

 

[Stephen]

If the design is to have Riley Nash healthy for the playoffs, we have another big body defensive center closer to prime to take some of those bottom six minutes away.

 

[BertCorbeau]

I'm actually really surprised they haven't used Thornton more to take face-offs .. Only 40 this year through 28 games.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

I don’t like the idea that you have to keep a guy in the lineup because of his legacy and respect. When you’re playing like Thornton, you deserve to sit no matter your name. Maybe he’s done, maybe he needs a rest but either way he needs to sit.

 

[Doublerum1975]

Schedule is insane. Is the Cap restricting the ability to rest him once in a while? I think he’s getting burnt out. He will be great experience and depth in the playoffs, need to manage him a little more.

If we were chasing a playoff spot I think I’d be more worried though.

This is exactly what is happening

 

[showtime8]

I don’t like the idea that you have to keep a guy in the lineup because of his legacy and respect. When you’re playing like Thornton, you deserve to sit no matter your name. Maybe he’s done, maybe he needs a rest but either way he needs to sit.

These are my thoughts on him.

You asked him to play an impactful role on the team in terms of leadership. The other players around him rave about how good he has been for the general liveliness that he brings. But I think that as we approach the end of the season and all 4 Canadian teams seem to have been established, why not rest him on a back to back. You're essentially looking to replace 4th line minutes and 2nd power play minutes. That can be done quite easily.

I don't think he's done, but he needs to understand that the Leafs need a lot more out of him going forward.

 

[Orfieus]

I literally asked this when Toronto signed him

 

[Stephen]

He was pretty good when he came back from the rib injury but the batteries have been running low for most of the time after that.

 

[Menzinger]

He was pretty good when he came back from the rib injury but the batteries have been running low for most of the time after that.

I'm surprised they aren't resting him more during the season, though maybe they will as we get closer to the postseason

 

[forecheck]

Yet another dumb thread from people who never played on a hockey team - congrats !

 

[francis246]

Random but is there no game day thread today?