Hopefully Nonis realizes it...probably not after the Lupul contract.

Does anyone see any way the leafs get a #1 center in the next 3 years?
outside of moving kessel for one, I dont see how its done
- senstroll

You may get your wish if he decides not to sign here long term anyway.

its all about carlyle's use of lines

line one: top offensive line usually draws top defenses

line two: defensive line who can score, put out against the opposition top line

line three: secondary scoring line, typically draws secondary defenses

line four: grit and toughness, attention to defense and a hard forecheck

you put kadri on the top line he is going to get alot of attention from top d-men, on the third line he will see more secondary pairings.
- Dozzer

So our third line is playing the role of our second line, our second line is playing the role of the third line?

right, so if we're suggesting trading Kessel to upgrade at center, how about we actually upgrade?
- Big_Lightnin

that would be my preference yes. But the NYI trade is a start,we would have to get a 1st back in any Kessel trade.

it could work out we ended up with Mackinnon/Barkov/Monahan and Strome, as well as another 1st rounder we got back in the trade...draft another Center in the top 15...looks better long term to me

its all about carlyle's use of lines

line one: top offensive line usually draws top defenses

line two: defensive line who can score, put out against the opposition top line

line three: secondary scoring line, typically draws secondary defenses

line four: grit and toughness, attention to defense and a hard forecheck

you put kadri on the top line he is going to get alot of attention from top d-men, on the third line he will see more secondary pairings.
- Dozzer

This.

Kadri's going to be feeding Lupul like crazy. They'll play 16-18 mins

So lupul to the third line? Why?
- Yeti1181

or it could be the first line depending on how they play, personally we put too much emphasis on line numbers, Randy has said he will give more ice time to Kadri, so Lupul will follow suit. I think you needed a shooter on that line, so it may work.

by playing this roster and not upgrading the goalie position

thats how we will get our top line centre
- Dozzer

Perfect blue print for finishing in the bottom 5. A concept that has always escaped the Leafs. Hopefully Nonis is smarter than the 2 previous Leaf GM's.

Fraser makes Schenn look fast.
- Big_Lightnin

He doesn't have to be that fast to be a good shutdown dman. Lay monster hits, play simple and responsible and protect your team mates.

yup. I seem to recall we had a legit #1 center for 13 years with not #1 wingers. How many cups did that win us?
- Big_Lightnin

Thank you, professor. Putting so much weight on a 'true' first line centre is ridiculous. Only as far as having a number one with two capable scorers - guys that compliment your prime guy. Kessel is, for lack of a better option, our prime guy. Compliment him with a "capable" [enter player style] into the first line. Done.

its all about carlyle's use of lines

line one: top offensive line usually draws top defenses

line two: defensive line who can score, put out against the opposition top line

line three: secondary scoring line, typically draws secondary defenses

line four: grit and toughness, attention to defense and a hard forecheck

you put kadri on the top line he is going to get alot of attention from top d-men, on the third line he will see more secondary pairings.
- Dozzer

Good point

or it could be the first line depending on how they play, personally we put too much emphasis on line numbers, Randy has said he will give more ice time to Kadri, so Lupul will follow suit. I think you needed a shooter on that line, so it may work.
- LeafMan

I agree, but the line numbers are there to tell us how many minutes they could be expected to play and what role they would have.

Also Parise changes how his name is said wouldn't u think that a slap in the face to his heritage. Just my thoughts

This.

Kadri's going to be feeding Lupul like crazy. They'll play 16-18 mins
- Big_Lightnin

I laughed.

So our third line is playing the role of our second line, our second line is playing the role of the third line?
- systemtool

Leafs don't have a "3rd line" per se.

Grabo's line has always been matched against Crosby's line. Splitting Lupul and kessel means Pens have to make a choice on who to shut down.

Long as the minutes are still there for both, worth a look.

I would've agreed to start the season...but I'm not so sure now.

I've been thoroughly impressed with their discipline in sticking to the game plan the past 2 games. If they keep up that level of defensive zone committment, I don't think they'll stink enough to land a top 5 pick.
- Pen15

yeah, but lets face it.. montreal and buffalo arent exactly the cream of the crop in the East.

buffalo is a playoff team.. but they are no pens, or rangers, etc.

by playing this roster and not upgrading the goalie position

thats how we will get our top line centre
- Dozzer

Based on the first 2 games..it looks like we can compete enough to be in the games...thats not good enough to get one, outside of a hail marry pick we pray turns into one.

I'm hoping we keep within two. 4-2 Pens with an empty netter and i'm happy. Oh being a Leafs fan eh?
- walshyleafsfan1

Well the Carlyle style is to keep it close so it's not impossible. That being said almost nothing is impossible, technically we could win every game for the rest of the season and sweep every round of the playoffs and win the Cup. But, yeah, that's not going to happen.

I'm pretty much expecting losses tonight and Saturday and a win tomorrow. We could lose all three games the following week (Sabres, Caps, Bruins) as well. We could be looking at 2-6 to start the season. Tank nation arise!

Perfect blue print for finishing in the bottom 5. A concept that has always escaped the Leafs. Hopefully Nonis is smarter than the 2 previous Leaf GM's.
- GCHonda

I think they'll win their share of games if they play as responsibly as they have so far.

Bottom 5 doesn't look like it'll happen.

Hopefully Nonis realizes it...probably not after the Lupul contract.

Does anyone see any way the leafs get a #1 center in the next 3 years?
outside of moving kessel for one, I dont see how its done
- senstroll

Offer Getzlaf the Moon. Only way I can see it.

that would be my preference yes. But the NYI trade is a start,we would have to get a 1st back in any Kessel trade.

it could work out we ended up with Mackinnon/Barkov/Monahan and Strome, as well as another 1st rounder we got back in the trade...draft another Center in the top 15...looks better long term to me
- senstroll

If we could pull off a trade with NYI that involved Strome, Nino and their 1st this year for kessel, i would do that in a heart beat. It's just wishful thinking at this point. You put yourself in NYI position, does that trade sound reasonable to you?

4-2 leafs..

I agree, but the line numbers are there to tell us how many minutes they could be expected to play and what role they would have.
- systemtool

1, 2a, 2b, 4

So our third line is playing the role of our second line, our second line is playing the role of the third line?
- systemtool

This is another fallacy. There isn't a league wide unwritten law that the standard 1st through 4th line groupings should appear. It may be most widely used, because it's easiest to address lines by skill alone. Every team puts their own twist on line matching.

Yes, moving Kessel will accomplish this but it would be a silly move.
- A_Tree

this is not the word I would used ore like
not educated to be polite.

Offer Getzlaf the Moon. Only way I can see it.
- Jimmy_wiener

Leafs wont get the chance...

I think they'll win their share of games if they play as responsibly as they have so far.

Bottom 5 doesn't look like it'll happen.
- Pen15

not the way Vancouver and Philly are rolling along