real life, holy poop 2016 has been a horrible year
- pinksocked

Sorry to hear that. I hope things look up.

So who is making the lineup or competing for spots next year?

Rielly
Gardiner
Zaitsev
Marincin
Corrado
Hunwick
Carrick
Brennan
Percy
Loov
- TheMussel

If I were Babs?...Rielly/Carrick
Gardner/Zaitsev
Corrado/Loov
Percy
Barring any trades

I haven't been this pumped for a draft in forevs!
- weirdoh

i dont think its that simple

the lines will be carved out based on who plays best with who... for instance... i would expect matthews to be lined up with a couple wingers who have been in the league for a few years already.

lets say marner makes the jump... you dont put him and matthews together... not at first anyways
- Dozzer

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Matthews starts as a top line winger.

I hope we win the lottery this Saturday

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Matthews starts as a top line winger.
- Feeling Glucky?

I would be.

I hope we win the lottery this Saturday
- Cherry--Skoal

Why?

I would be.
- BetterCallSaul

I would be pt2. The revenge of I would be.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Matthews starts as a top line winger.
- Feeling Glucky?

He's a top 6 right away listening to the experts. So I think you're right. Unless these guys are being really picky and taking it word for word. maybe he starts the first 5 games on the 2nd line.

I would be.
- BetterCallSaul

Yeah.

He's not a winger

My guess is we see Matthews as #2 C to start the season (assuming he has a decent training camp). Kadri at #1 C unless we actually land Stamkos.

If Mathews shows he's good enough to take #1 duties over from the guy that starts there, so be it. Let him grow into the role though rather than just throwing him in the ocean and seeing if he sinks or swims. Maybe even place him on the third line and give Nylander #2, cause I think Nylander is definitely in the mix for a roster spot next year too.

Stop.

Striking

Out

My guess is we see Matthews as #2 C to start the season (assuming he has a decent training camp). Kadri at #1 C unless we actually land Stamkos.

If Mathews shows he's good enough to take #1 duties over from the guy that starts there, so be it. Let him grow into the role though rather than just throwing him in the ocean and seeing if he sinks or swims. Maybe even place him on the third line and give Nylander #2, cause I think Nylander is definitely in the mix for a roster spot next year too.
- Thecakeisalie

Going out on a limb with the last comment

My guess is we see Matthews as #2 C to start the season (assuming he has a decent training camp). Kadri at #1 C unless we actually land Stamkos.

If Mathews shows he's good enough to take #1 duties over from the guy that starts there, so be it. Let him grow into the role though rather than just throwing him in the ocean and seeing if he sinks or swims. Maybe even place him on the third line and give Nylander #2, cause I think Nylander is definitely in the mix for a roster spot next year too.
- Thecakeisalie

I think you're going to see a 1 and 2 line combo that gets equal ice time per game and let's Babcock do some line matching against other teams.

If we get Stamkos, it's going to be really hard for other coaches.

I would think the Kadri line goes against the other team's top line then the Stamkos line against the 2nd line and then Matthews' line against other team's 3rd line.

Then we win a lot.

My guess is we see Matthews as #2 C to start the season (assuming he has a decent training camp). Kadri at #1 C unless we actually land Stamkos.

If Mathews shows he's good enough to take #1 duties over from the guy that starts there, so be it. Let him grow into the role though rather than just throwing him in the ocean and seeing if he sinks or swims. Maybe even place him on the third line and give Nylander #2, cause I think Nylander is definitely in the mix for a roster spot next year too.
- Thecakeisalie

No way Jose. This is what puts kadri where we want Kadri to be. Takes the pressure off on him being the #1, put him at 2/3. Let him do his magic on the other teams lower lines.

Going out on a limb with the last comment
- Cherry--Skoal

Eichel not in the Calder finalist...... Can't wait for garf to weigh in.

i dont think its that simple

the lines will be carved out based on who plays best with who... for instance... i would expect matthews to be lined up with a couple wingers who have been in the league for a few years already.

lets say marner makes the jump... you dont put him and matthews together... not at first anyways
- Dozzer

I agree

It's also worth noting that marner is pretty freaking good defensively

Eichel not in the Calder finalist...... Can't wait for garf to weigh in.



- burn

Oh man....

Watched Lou's interview on SportsNet, he said the pick is Mark Hunter's call. For what it's worth.

Eichel not in the Calder finalist...... Can't wait for garf to weigh in.



- burn

That is so awesome! Almost as good as the Leafs winning the lottery!
Garth's next blog should reach all new heights of hilarious.

Watched Lou's interview on SportsNet, he said the pick is Mark Hunter's call. For what it's worth.
- BetterCallSaul

I guess that means we're taking Tkachuk at #1. Who needs that Auston whatisname?

No way Jose. This is what puts kadri where we want Kadri to be. Takes the pressure off on him being the #1, put him at 2/3. Let him do his magic on the other teams lower lines.
- weirdoh

I'd rather put Kadri in over his head for a little while than Matthews or Nylander. Kadri has been around long enough to handle it until the kids are ready to take over without it ruining his confidence. Honestly, I don't think its possible to ruin Kadri's confidence. One thing that guy has going for him is a solid belief in himself.

But I agree eventually Kadri will slot in at #2 or #3.

No, the correct analogy would be saying no to buying a 24 case of beer, because you found a huge bag weed.
- Steven_Seagull

I wouldn't say no to the case of beer exactly, I'd just say no to getting off the couch to go get it. Does whisky count as beer?

I'd rather put Kadri in over his head for a little while than Matthews or Nylander. Kadri has been around long enough to handle it until the kids are ready to take over without it ruining his confidence. Honestly, I don't think its possible to ruin Kadri's confidence. One thing that guy has going for him is a solid belief in himself.

But I agree eventually Kadri will slot in at #2 or #3.
- Thecakeisalie

Kadri wasn't over his head last year.