I think Aaltonen might be able to step in on a third line role.
Also why do they have Fehr and Moore?
And (frank) Blozak.
- bobbyisno1

Aaltonen is not nearly qualified to be a 3rd line centre. He might get consideration for fourth line, but in my opinion is not an option to replace Bozak at all. Nylander yes.

Might have something to do with the salary cap - Leafs will need to fill fourth line with minimum wage types once the price for Matthews/Marner/Nylander is established. Aaltonen has looked ok in pretend games but has not done anything of significance in the NHL - and is 24 years old. Might be ok, Moore and Fehr have significant NHL experience. On top of that, Aaltonen is a very slight at 5'11" and 170lbs - a concern for a fourth line guy expected to crash and bang.

I like him.

But I'm like dozzer when it comes to dating.

I'm desperate and would take anything worthwhile.
- Scabeh

So you'd take an inflatable player?

So you'd take an imaginary inflatable player?
- Atomic Wedgie

Fixed

on a serious not though, why is offense spelled with 2 f's and defense spelled with only 1?
- bobbyisno1

Because Kessel doesn't backcheck.

And the replacement doesn't get the clutch goal in that deciding 1 goal play off game, F that.
- bobbyisno1

Maybe, maybe not. And it is a good point.

Clutch scorers are important and JVR can deliver but we do have other clutch guys: Matthews, Nylander, Kadri, Brown, and let's not forget mister clutch himself Kapanen. That kid always scores big goals and has an GWG or two for us already.

Because Kessel doesn't backcheck.
- Atomic Wedgie

Tell that to the hotdog.

The wife has informed me that she is surpising me with Leafs V Devils tickets for my birthday.

Hope they put in a better showing this time around.

The wife has informed me that she is surpising me with Leafs V Devils tickets for my birthday.

Hope they put in a better showing this time around.
- Feeling Glucky?

That makes sense now. I thought it was odd she planned a date for us so far in advance.

I haven't watched any of Washington's games (other than the one against the Leafs, obviously) but I was wondering if that's what Ovi was doing.

Kinda "screw the team - I tried last year to be a team player, we got bounced, so now I'm just in it (again) for personal stats" thingy.

Yes?

No?
- Atomic Wedgie

Their D suck, I think they lost like 4 guys or something.

Maybe, maybe not. And it is a good point.

Clutch scorers are important and JVR can deliver but we do have other clutch guys: Matthews, Nylander, Kadri, Brown, and let's not forget mister clutch himself Kapanen. That kid always scores big goals and has an GWG or two for us already.
- Barb34

3 years ago I would've gotten rid of JVR and Blozak and Kept Kessel.
But now that Kessel is no more I think we need to keep JVR for this play off run.

Too early to say on the 2016 an 17 choices but Hanifin, Rielly, Brayden Schenn and Nino Niederreiter are all good players. So I respectfully disagree.
- winsix

I concur.

I think the Leafs have more empty net goals so far this year than last year. Lol
- LeafMan

Cause we are actually holding leads where teams are forced to pull their goalie. Unlike last year we would blow our leads well before a goalie was needed to be pulled!

Things change quick, and hopefully remain this way!

I think Bozak and JVR will find themselves on another team before this year is over. Just my opinion. I do feel this will be a special group for years to come, and it is finally fun to be a Leafs fan..
- bixll

2017 or the season?
I dont see JVR getting moved this season, high quality scorer...very useful come playoff time. Without JVR, if we suffer an injury on wing.....our depth isnt great.
Also, who replaces him? We have no one right now.

Bozak...maybe...depends how the AHL'ers do.

Cause we are actually holding leads where teams are forced to pull their goalie. Unlike last year we would blow our leads well before a goalie was needed to be pulled!

Things change quick, and hopefully remain this way!
- LeafGuy89

yeah.

last year, no lead was safe in the last 2 minutes.

complete turnaround so far.

3 years ago I would've gotten rid of JVR and Blozak and Kept Kessel.
But now that Kessel is no more I think we need to keep JVR for this play off run.
- bobbyisno1

Personally, I would like to keep this exact team together long term. I like JVR and Bozak.....even with their D issues they both performed well in the playoffs.

It's getting that one Top 4 D man that I find REALLY necessary to have a legit shot at a Cup run. If we could add that guy without losing anybody.....I'm in.

Hyman, Matthews, Nylander
Marleau, Kadri, Marner
JVR, Bozak, Brown
Kapanen, Moore, Komarov

Rielly, Manson
Gards, Zaits
Borgman, Hainsey
Carrick

Andersen
McIll/Pickard

That line up will do damage.

(We could lose Martin having a tough D man like Manson and that gives us 4 dangerous lines.)

Definitely Bix.

If Bozak goes, I don't want to split up Nylander and Matthews. Don't know who in the organization can take Bozaks place.
- LeafMan

If you slide Nylander down to 2nd line center. Perhaps they could try moving Marner up to Matthews wing. And have Kapanen (Willys best friend) move to Willy's right wing.

Just a thought anyways..

If you slide Nylander down to 2nd line center. Perhaps they could try moving Marner up to Matthews wing. And have Kapanen (Willys best friend) move to Willy's right wing.

Just a thought anyways..
- LeafGuy89

Noooo Matthews + Nylander is so silkyyyyyyy

I agree with this.

Started mathing a little the other day. The replacement winger: Leivo or Kap, only needs to get 15-20 goals and have a better +/- while the new D man stops a couple GA here or there and the goal differential improves dramatically.

Bottomline, the replacement doesn't have to be a 30g guy. 15-20g and better defensively will be much better for us...especially in the playoffs.
- Barb34

Until injuries occur.

Noooo Matthews + Nylander is so silkyyyyyyy
- markmark

Agreed, i love those two together.

But I'm sure Marner could do just as good

Personally, I would like to keep this exact team together long term. I like JVR and Bozak.....even with their D issues they both performed well in the playoffs.

It's getting that one Top 4 D man that I find REALLY necessary to have a legit shot at a Cup run. If we could add that guy without losing anybody.....I'm in.

Hyman, Matthews, Nylander
Marleau, Kadri, Marner
JVR, Bozak, Brown
Kapanen, Moore, Komarov

Rielly, Manson
Gards, Zaits
Borgman, Hainsey
Carrick

Andersen
McIll/Pickard

That line up will do damage.

(We could lose Martin having a tough D man like Manson and that gives us 4 dangerous lines.)
- Barb34

Once the three kids are signed long term...you'll start to see a lot of rotation on those bottom 2 lines. Gonna lose some players people like.

2017 or the season?
I dont see JVR getting moved this season, high quality scorer...very useful come playoff time. Without JVR, if we suffer an injury on wing.....our depth isnt great.
Also, who replaces him? We have no one right now.

Bozak...maybe...depends how the AHL'ers do.
- Fakepartofme

Unless it's for a top 4/2 d-man.

Maybe, maybe not. And it is a good point.

Clutch scorers are important and JVR can deliver but we do have other clutch guys: Matthews, Nylander, Kadri, Brown, and let's not forget mister clutch himself Kapanen. That kid always scores big goals and has an GWG or two for us already.
- Barb34

....Marner.

my leafs do not include bozak.

he's gonzo.

babs' stealth demotion with marner to the 4th was really bozak's demotion. his ice time has been cut by 2 mins a game since that move.


just a matter of time before he's sent packing.

Forget about your playoff depth after 7 games.


Just worry about planning that parade

Until injuries occur.
- Fakepartofme

You can say that about any/all line discussions .

We could keep JVR, and Matthews could go down for 6-8 weeks.

Moot point.