Yeah, it'll be Stamkos, Matthews, Kadri, with Kadri getting as many tough matchups as Stamkos, Matthews facing weaker competition to start.
- gravyface

Could be. Kadri will play with the grinders, Matthews will get more skilled players to work with.

I have no doubt Laine will be a dynamic player.

In fact, it's a real possibility he will outscore Matthews and win the Calder next year, if he plays with some high-end linemates in Winnipeg.

That said, the Leafs need an elite, complete center far more than they need an elite goal scorer. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Matthews playing with muckers and grinders his first season., Komarov and Brown or some such thing

It'll be the world championships all over again. Laine playing with talented linemates like Barkov and Jokinen, while Matthews plays with Maroon and a revolving door of scrubs

They are apples and oranges, and Leafs just happen to need the apple
- WingmanWillie

See Thornton, Joe and Samsonov, Sergei

The official "2nd" and "3rd" lines will become blurred. IMO, the line that faces weaker competition is the 3rd line.

Potato Potahto.

Regardless, I think Mitch plays with SS, Willie with Kadri on another line and Matthews with some grinders on a 3rd line.

We'll see how it really shakes out, but thats my guess
- WingmanWillie

Highly doubt it.

Could be. Kadri will play with the grinders, Matthews will get more skilled players to work with.
- Cooshie

I don't think that's how it will necessarily shake out, but we will see!

My thinking is this: Matthews is a DIY player that can carry a line on his own. Guys like Willie need skilled line mates to succeed. Add in that it's AM's first season and putting him with, say, Leo and Lupul would probably suit his game best

Highly doubt it.
- Cooshie

Agree to disagree

JVR-Stamkos-Marner
Sosh-Kadri-Willie
Komarov-Matthews-Brown (or Lupul if he's healthy )

That's my prediction anyway
- WingmanWillie

Close enough

I would like to see Matthews and Marner be together from the get go... see if they can build some instant chemistry.

See Thornton, Joe and Samsonov, Sergei
- Atomic Wedgie

Close enough

I would like to see Matthews and Marner be together from the get go... see if they can build some instant chemistry.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

But having Marner feeding those two goal-hungry beasts just makes me excited

Just heard the absolute dumbest hockey conversation just now in "Bob's Bulgogi"


Diner #1: Who does Toronto take in the draft? Tough call.
Diner #2: Winnipeg is in a way better spot than Toronto because they don't have to think about who to take, they just take who's left after Toronto picks.
Diner #3: Do you think Toronto could get PK from Montreal?
Diner#2: Toronto doesn't have ANYTHING that could entice Montreal. Even if they packaged the #1 overall pick and Rielly, there is no way Montreal takes that deal.
Diner #2: Top 5 defensemen are impossible to find because there are only 5 of them
Diner #1: If PK is a top 5 Dman why wasn't he picked for tean N.A.?
Diner #2: Don't know

Holy (frank)... I think spatso was Diner # 2.

I feel so much dumber for hearing what I heard.
It took every fiber in my being not to punch that idiot in the face.

Agree to disagree
- WingmanWillie

agreed! LOL

But having Marner feeding those two goal-hungry beasts just makes me excited
- WingmanWillie

Matthews is plenty hungry..

just from watching how Marner was with the knights it looks like he likes to hold onto the puck and find guys who find an opening.. Matthews is a very intelligent player who knows how to find open ice.. I just think it would be a good combo... But stamkos quick release could be deadly with Marner aswell...

JVR-Stamkos-Marner
Sosh-Kadri-Willie
Komarov-Matthews-Brown (or Lupul if he's healthy )

That's my prediction anyway
- WingmanWillie

Close but I don't think he will get grinders on both sides. Not the Babcock way.

We have already seen the Kadri line so I don't think it changes. And, I don't think Matthews will get two other rookies on his wings.

So unless they acquire a winger I see:

JVR, Stamkos, Marner
Greening, Matthews, Nylander
Sosh, Kadri, Komarov

After 20 games or so, one of the other rookies can replace Greening...unless he is doing well.

Just my BS 2c.

I don't think that's how it will necessarily shake out, but we will see!

My thinking is this: Matthews is a DIY player that can carry a line on his own. Guys like Willie need skilled line mates to succeed. Add in that it's AM's first season and putting him with, say, Leo and Lupul would probably suit his game best
- WingmanWillie

Babcock wants the Leafs to be the best team they can be next year and has publicly stated that he aims to make the playoffs.
Matthews > Kadri - so reason says that he will play on the 2nd line with better wingers.

Just heard the absolute dumbest hockey conversation just now in "Bob's Bulgogi"


Diner #1: Who does Toronto take in the draft? Tough call.
Diner #2: Winnipeg is in a way better spot than Toronto because they don't have to think about who to take, they just take who's left after Toronto picks.
Diner #3: Do you think Toronto could get PK from Montreal?
Diner#2: Toronto doesn't have ANYTHING that could entice Montreal. Even if they packaged the #1 overall pick and Rielly, there is no way Montreal takes that deal.
Diner #2: Top 5 defensemen are impossible to find because there are only 5 of them
Diner #1: If PK is a top 5 Dman why wasn't he picked for tean N.A.?
Diner #2: Don't know

Holy (frank)... I think spatso was Diner # 2.

I feel so much dumber for hearing what I heard.
It took every fiber in my being not to punch that idiot in the face.


- .HOHO.

Is Bob's Bulgogi in Bizarro world, by any chance?

Babcock wants the Leafs to be the best team they can be next year and has publicly stated that he aims to make the playoffs.
Matthews > Kadri - so reason says that he will play on the 2nd line with better wingers.
- Cooshie

Matthews will undoubtedly be better than Kadri.

But Naz is a vet, and Babcock will lean on him.

I get that you want Matthews to come in and be the savior right away, but I really don't think that's how Babcock is going to set him up.

Come on, October!

Close but I don't think he will get grinders on both sides. Not the Babcock way.

We have already seen the Kadri line so I don't think it changes. And, I don't think Matthews will get two other rookies on his wings.

So unless they acquire a winger I see:

JVR, Stamkos, Marner
Greening, Matthews, Nylander
Sosh, Kadri, Komarov

After 20 games or so, one of the other rookies can replace Greening...unless he is doing well.

Just my BS 2c.
- underhill14

I am good with that but want Brown in over Greening from day 1.

Matthews is plenty hungry..

just from watching how Marner was with the knights it looks like he likes to hold onto the puck and find guys who find an opening.. Matthews is a very intelligent player who knows how to find open ice.. I just think it would be a good combo... But stamkos quick release could be deadly with Marner aswell...
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I'll see how they play together when I watch the rookie tournament this year!

Could be some magic

Is Bob's Bulgogi in Bizarro world, by any chance?
- Cooshie

No poop eh?

I honestly though I was getting punked.
I even looked around to see if there were any cameras!

Seriously

Matthews will undoubtedly be better than Kadri.

But Naz is a vet, and Babcock will lean on him.

I get that you want Matthews to come in and be the savior right away, but I really don't think that's how Babcock is going to set him up.

Come on, October!
- WingmanWillie

Nope, that's what I am hoping Stamkos will be! LOL

I am good with that but want Brown in over Greening from day 1.
- Cooshie

Greening has to be on the 4th line with Laich and whoever the hell else

Also, Michalek and Lupul may be in the lineup. Who knows what the heck Babs does with them.

What about Bozak?

There's scenarios we haven't even considered yet

No poop eh?

I honestly though I was getting punked.
I even looked around to see if there were any cameras!

Seriously
- .HOHO.

How did you not chime in and just "WHAT THE (frank)ING HELL ARE YOU DIMWITS TALKING ABOUT" them?

Nope, that's what I am hoping Stamkos will be! LOL
- Cooshie

I want them to sign him so bad.

Just heard the absolute dumbest hockey conversation just now in "Bob's Bulgogi"


Diner #1: Who does Toronto take in the draft? Tough call.
Diner #2: Winnipeg is in a way better spot than Toronto because they don't have to think about who to take, they just take who's left after Toronto picks.
Diner #3: Do you think Toronto could get PK from Montreal?
Diner#2: Toronto doesn't have ANYTHING that could entice Montreal. Even if they packaged the #1 overall pick and Rielly, there is no way Montreal takes that deal.
Diner #2: Top 5 defensemen are impossible to find because there are only 5 of them
Diner #1: If PK is a top 5 Dman why wasn't he picked for tean N.A.?
Diner #2: Don't know

Holy (frank)... I think spatso was Diner # 2.

I feel so much dumber for hearing what I heard.
It took every fiber in my being not to punch that idiot in the face.


- .HOHO.

ha ha ha I bet your head almost exploded

Caught an episode the other day, although I have seen every episode 10 of times, it's still one of the funniest shows all on the premise of a misunderstanding. Ritter had perfect timing.
- LeafMan

My favourite show of all time. Have my favourite episodes, like 20 of them, PVRed.

I just checked my PVR and they're gone!

It was acting up yesterday.....it must have auto - erased them somehow. (frank).

How did you not chime in and just "WHAT THE (frank)ING HELL ARE YOU DIMWITS TALKING ABOUT" them?
- Cooshie

I seriously have no idea how I held my tongue.


I almost just quietly said to the one guy that didn't comment....

"Make sure your buddy has his helmet on snug when you get him back on the short bus!"