Next year or you mean long term?

It could be a stretch for next year....
- PhilMcCracken

Thing is, the leafs really only have 2 true top 6 forwards on the roster in JVR and Kadri

It will be a long season... Likely no playoffs, but developing those players together could be an approach the leafs take... Nice balance of vets with rookies.. And Matthews already has played pro as well.

Komarov will be replaced in time... But only with another nasty guy who will work his ass off along the boards

Yeah, but...
- Steven_Seagull[inserts anti-Leafs rhetoric].

Lol it's absurd sometimes

You wear blue and white and you suck to some folks... No matter what... (frank) it... Abandon logic... Why the hell not? Lol

Too close to the net. Bust.
- burn

Before you make a bigger deal out of nothing, keep in mind, there is internet in mental correctional institutions.

David Pagnotta ‏@TheFourthPeriod 45s45 seconds ago
Canucks announce they've re-signed F Sven Baertschi to a 2-year, $3.7M deal
- MCharisma91

Thing is, the leafs really only have 2 true top 6 forwards on the roster in JVR and Kadri

It will be a long season... Likely no playoffs, but developing those players together could be an approach the leafs take... Nice balance of vets with rookies.. And Matthews already has played pro as well.

Komarov will be replaced in time... But only with another nasty guy who will work his ass off along the boards
- Dozzer

I would hope we could give Nylander sheltered minutes. Don't think he is ready for the #1 line. Matthews I would think would either C the 2nd or 3rd line depending on Bozak. If Bozak is still here, I would think they would shelter Matthews on the third line and when TDL comes, Bozak is traded as a #2 C and Matthews moves up. Who really knows, but I'm not sold on Nylander being on the top line without seeing how he does with some sheltered minutes.

Is it possible to sign a 1-2 year deal to an aging Top 6 UFA in case the kids don't develop as fast as we would like?


Edit: We still have Lupul. He will do. He's ok when he is healthy and I think it's ridiculous people want him bought out. Two more years, still a serviceable player, albeit a hefty contract. Ride it out...

Potential top two lines?

JVR Kadri Nylander
Komarov Matthews Marner

Thoughts?
- Dozzer

sounds legit. Marner should make the team.

Once again.... People focus too much on the player and not enough on a potential line.

Take a puck distributor like Marner and pair him with a big bodied C who can skate and goes to the net.... Jesus (frank)ing Christ that combo has the potential to be dominate in a couple years... Especially if the other winger is strong along the boards.

Watch out. That possibility is very real...
- Dozzer

Matthews can definitely bury the puck from pretty much anywhere. I see more highlights of him scoring than making nice passing plays, so I agree that partnering him with a Marner type of player would be an ideal situation for him. But I think the side of Matthews game that doesn't get mentioned all that much is how defensively aware he is.

I would hope we could give Nylander sheltered minutes. Don't think he is ready for the #1 line. Matthews I would think would either C the 2nd or 3rd line depending on Bozak. If Bozak is still here, I would think they would shelter Matthews on the third line and when TDL comes, Bozak is traded as a #2 C and Matthews moves up. Who really knows, but I'm not sold on Nylander being on the top line without seeing how he does with some sheltered minutes.

Is it possible to sign a 1-2 year deal to an aging Top 6 UFA in case the kids don't develop as fast as we would like?
- PhilMcCracken

I think you're 100% right about sheltered minutes... To start the season anyways.... If they show they can handle things I expect the kids to take on more prominent roles as the season progresses

When you say break away do you mean this?

game winner
- poohcrumbs

It's not like great moves like that would work on NHL level goalies.

sounds legit. Marner should make the team.
- MCharisma91

Apparently his mom retired to oversee his diet.

And we all know do not (frank) with a mom. Lol

Matthews can definitely bury the puck from pretty much anywhere. I see more highlights of him scoring than making nice passing plays, so I agree that partnering him with a Marner type of player would be an ideal situation for him. But I think the side of Matthews game that doesn't get mentioned all that much is how defensively aware he is.
- Salami_Tsunami

Oh yeah... He plays a complete game for sure... But he is a shooter... So you want a top notch puck distributor on the wing.... I think marner and Matthews should be put together right off the hop and let them develop into a dominant line together.

Apparently his mom retired to oversee his diet.

And we all know do not (frank) with a mom. Lol
- Dozzer

That's serious business. I say red meat 7 days a week 3x a day

He best be spending his days in the gym with mama watching his every move!!!!!

That's serious business. I say red meat 7 days a week 3x a day

He best be spending his days in the gym!!!!!
- PhilMcCracken

Just read a good article on him... 4 hours a day working with the leafs physical trainers with a minimum of an hour a day on the ice....

They interviewed his mom... Who is forcing him to eat properly... She won't even keep his favorite snacks in the house anymore lol

Welcome to the show kid... Trainers, coaches, and mom. You better not (frank) around lol

Oh yeah... He plays a complete game for sure... But he is a shooter... So you want a top notch puck distributor on the wing.... I think marner and Matthews should be put together right off the hop and let them develop into a dominant line together.
- Dozzer

I agree 100%.

Just read a good article on him... 4 hours a day working with the leafs physical trainers with a minimum of an hour a day on the ice....

They interviewed his mom... Who is forcing him to eat properly... She won't even keep his favorite snacks in the house anymore lol

Welcome to the show kid... Trainers, coaches, and mom. You better not (frank) around lol
- Dozzer

Link?

Link?
- PhilMcCracken

http://www.nationalpost.c...summer-in-bid-for-nhl-job

That's a good summary of his offseason

http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com/sports/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs-prospect-mitch-marner-trying-to-bulk-up-this-summer-in-bid-for-nhl-job

That's a good summary of his offseason
- Dozzer

Thanks Doz!!

Thanks Doz!!
- PhilMcCracken

No worries!

http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com/sports/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs-prospect-mitch-marner-trying-to-bulk-up-this-summer-in-bid-for-nhl-job

That's a good summary of his offseason
- Dozzer

(frank)ing skittles!!!!!

(frank)ing skittles!!!!!
- PhilMcCracken

Not the kind of bulking up he needs to do.... Unless he wants a gut like mine lol

Not the kind of bulking up he needs to do.... Unless he wants a gut like mine lol
- Dozzer

Mom's name is Bonnie...do you remember another hockey mom's name that was Bonnie?

Matthews can definitely bury the puck from pretty much anywhere. I see more highlights of him scoring than making nice passing plays, so I agree that partnering him with a Marner type of player would be an ideal situation for him. But I think the side of Matthews game that doesn't get mentioned all that much is how defensively aware he is.
- Salami_Tsunami

Ive seen a few nice set ups, no look pass to TChuck. Lasers . His passing is crisp

Thing is, the leafs really only have 2 true top 6 forwards on the roster in JVR and Kadri

It will be a long season... Likely no playoffs, but developing those players together could be an approach the leafs take... Nice balance of vets with rookies.. And Matthews already has played pro as well.

Komarov will be replaced in time... But only with another nasty guy who will work his ass off along the boards
- Dozzer

It will consist of 41 road and 41 home games - same as last year.

Playoffs are no certainty, will depend strongly on moves that require addressing such as an NHL caliber number one goalie that the team has lacked for probably over a decade. This fact is hard to dispute unless you think Giguere was in top form when he was a Leaf.

Another area of concern - has been the absence of a top flight center. As exciting as it is to have the #1 pick and the opportunity to select Matthews, it would be a huge team strengthening move to pick up Stamkos.

Don't forget one thing, uncle Lou has a lot of currency, prospects and picks.

We're richer than you think

We will fight for a wildcard if some trades and moves fall in place and it's not over the top wishful thinking. Montreal has made the playoffs several times with an excellent goalie and a poop team.

David Pagnotta ‏@TheFourthPeriod 45s45 seconds ago
Canucks announce they've re-signed F Sven Baertschi to a 2-year, $3.7M deal
- MCharisma91

Meh.

[url]

Potential top two lines?

JVR Kadri Nylander
Komarov Matthews Marner

Thoughts?
- Dozzer

JVR Matthews Marner
Komarov Kadri Brown
Hyman Nylander Sosh