I want JT on PP net front too like in his first year here. He is amazing at that. I never understood moving him. He should be tipping pucks and rebounding.
- Zezel

Agree 100%!!

That guy should play the majority of his game there!! It’s one of the reasons he’s an all-star

Remember when people could smoke in bars? That was (frank)ing crazy
- Zezel

Had a chuckle about that recently with a bar waitress. She said" remember when they had two sections, one smoking and one non"? In one open area. Duh?

Hi
🥇

Kerfoot Matthews Nylander
Ritchie Tavares Marner
Bunting Kampf Kase
Gusev Semyonov Mikheyev
Engvall Spezza Simmonds
Robertson Brooks Anderson
Ho Sang Amadio Gabriel

Lots of options 👍

Or….

Ritchie Matthews Marner
Bunting Tavares Kase
Mikheyev Kerfoot Nylander
Engvall Kampf Spezza
🤔
- mr.sir

Not sure what you're thinking here, but Nick Ritchie is not a top six forward. Unless you like to see speed and skill plays dying on a regular basis. I can see him getting PP time in the crease, but top 6 F? No way.

Not sure what you're thinking here, but Nick Ritchie is not a top six forward. Unless you like to see speed and skill plays dying on a regular basis. I can see him getting PP time in the crease, but top 6 F? No way.
- fifty__missions

I think the idea is for him to be in the top 6. He's not a defensive 3rd liner.

If their narrative holds true they're trying to create a defensive unit with Kamph at centre and then a 4th line with Spezza. Ritchie is either with AM, JT or Spezza.

My guess is that prior to camp the pencilled in lineup is :

Ritchie-Matthews-Marner
Kerfoot-JT-Nylander
Mikky-Kamph-Kase
Bunting-Spezza-Simmonds

Kase, Mikky and Kerfoot could flip flop. If Ritchie is poop then I guess Bunting could get some looks.

Not sure what you're thinking here, but Nick Ritchie is not a top six forward. Unless you like to see speed and skill plays dying on a regular basis. I can see him getting PP time in the crease, but top 6 F? No way.
- fifty__missions

Its not different than having mickey in the top 6...plays die on his stick.
But I honestly feel like they brought Ritchie in to be in the top 6 to replace hyman

Its not different than having mickey in the top 6...plays die on his stick.
But I honestly feel like they brought Ritchie in to be in the top 6 to replace hyman
- Fakepartofme

Agree, he was brought in for a top-six role. Tenth overall pick, great shot and good hands 26 points in 14 playoff games in his final year for the Soo. Big body, like many before him Dave Andrychuck for example, a big left winger that will compliment a line with scoring prowess.

Its not different than having mickey in the top 6...plays die on his stick.
But I honestly feel like they brought Ritchie in to be in the top 6 to replace hyman
- Fakepartofme

Ritchie can be a 45 points guy in the right setting imo, while also bringing a physical presence that was much needed on the Leafs.

He won't be as good as Hyman, but he'll have an impact at a fraction of the price.

Its Ray day, Robbie Ray vs the TB Rays, Go Jays!

Ritchie can be a 45 points guy in the right setting imo, while also bringing a physical presence that was much needed on the Leafs.

He won't be as good as Hyman, but he'll have an impact at a fraction of the price.
- Scabeh

In Hyman's top offensive year, he scored 41 pts in 71 games. Ritchie will not participate in PK, as Hyman did, but will likely be on the PP. Hyman a much better skater, Ritchie a much better shot. At less than half the price of Hyman, Leafs finally have a heavyweight with some skill, and a good add IMO.

Not sure what you're thinking here, but Nick Ritchie is not a top six forward. Unless you like to see speed and skill plays dying on a regular basis. I can see him getting PP time in the crease, but top 6 F? No way.
- fifty__missions

I like the idea of spreading the scoring around 3 top lines

Kerfoot stays w/ Nylander

In Hyman's top offensive year, he scored 41 pts in 71 games. Ritchie will not participate in PK, as Hyman did, but will likely be on the PP. Hyman a much better skater, Ritchie a much better shot. At less than half the price of Hyman, Leafs finally have a heavyweight with some skill, and a good add IMO.
- winsix

I'd say his top offensive year was going 37 in 51 two years ago.

Also went 33 in 43 last year... in a full season that's over 60 points.

As you said though Ritchie brings a different set of tools to the table that will be needed. Hyman's a better player but also priced himself out of Toronto.

Of all the Leafs move this summer, Ritchie is the best one imo.

Not sure what you're thinking here, but Nick Ritchie is not a top six forward. Unless you like to see speed and skill plays dying on a regular basis. I can see him getting PP time in the crease, but top 6 F? No way.
- fifty__missions

Who else is there on the left side though?

I like the idea of spreading the scoring around 3 top lines

Kerfoot stays w/ Nylander
- mr.sir

Toss some defensively responsible scoring capacity onto the fourth line with Spezz and Simmonds and use the third line in a shutdown role (Kampf, Kerfoot, Mik) to take some pressure off Matthews’ line.

Also, happy Monday to those who celebrate.

Its Ray day, Robbie Ray vs the TB Rays, Go Jays!
- senstroll

I'd say his top offensive year was going 37 in 51 two years ago.

Also went 33 in 43 last year... in a full season that's over 60 points.

As you said though Ritchie brings a different set of tools to the table that will be needed. Hyman's a better player but also priced himself out of Toronto.

Of all the Leafs move this summer, Ritchie is the best one imo.
- Scabeh

Agree on all of this. One of the issues with Hyman apart from the price tag is health. He has been injured three straight seasons. It's something that can't simply be ignored.

Agree on all of this. One of the issues with Hyman apart from the price tag is health. He has been injured three straight seasons. It's something that can't simply be ignored.
- winsix

Agreed. His kind of game doesn't age all that well unfortunately.

Just like Gallagher.

Agreed. His kind of game doesn't age all that well unfortunately.

Just like Gallagher.

- Scabeh

Should be Hab captain..

I think the idea is for him to be in the top 6. He's not a defensive 3rd liner.

If their narrative holds true they're trying to create a defensive unit with Kamph at centre and then a 4th line with Spezza. Ritchie is either with AM, JT or Spezza.

My guess is that prior to camp the pencilled in lineup is :

Ritchie-Matthews-Marner
Kerfoot-JT-Nylander
Mikky-Kamph-Kase
Bunting-Spezza-Simmonds

Kase, Mikky and Kerfoot could flip flop. If Ritchie is poop then I guess Bunting could get some looks.
- The Law

I've had similar thinking here. I think because Kerfoot can be defensively responsible, he ends up playing with Kampf. Engvall could also draw in, since he is also defensively responsible. I don't see Kase as a good fit with Kampf, since he's more of an offensive player.

Time (and training camp) will tell. I wouldn't be surprised if we see:

Ritchie-Matthews-Marner
Nylander-Tavares-Kase
Kerfoot- Kampf - Mikheyev/Engvall
Bunting-Spezza-Simmonds/Engvall

When Kase is inevitably hurt, opportunities will appear for Bunting. It was my understanding that the Leafs sold Bunting and Ritchie on the top-6 opportunity that our lack of depth on the left side was going to give them.

That said, injuries or players failing to perform would shift everything dramatically (i.e., like you I truly believe Ritchie gets a legitimate shot in the top-6, maybe with both centres depending on how he plays, but if he doesn't keep up or contribute in a useful manner, then he'll shift down).

I want JT on PP net front too like in his first year here. He is amazing at that. I never understood moving him. He should be tipping pucks and rebounding.
- Zezel

PP1:

Willie-JT-AM34
Marner-Sandin

Rationale: have Willie and AM34 be your shooters and Snake can grind in front of the net. I think Sandin has a better shot than Rielly so I'd like to see him here (but I'll understand if they want to keep Morgan happy). Marner can roam around as he sees fit and feed shooters.

If need be, move JT to PP2 and have Ritchie be your guy in front of the net.

PP2:

I don't care.

I've had similar thinking here. I think because Kerfoot can be defensively responsible, he ends up playing with Kampf. Engvall could also draw in, since he is also defensively responsible. I don't see Kase as a good fit with Kampf, since he's more of an offensive player.

Time (and training camp) will tell. I wouldn't be surprised if we see:

Ritchie-Matthews-Marner
Nylander-Tavares-Kase
Kerfoot- Kampf - Mikheyev/Engvall
Bunting-Spezza-Simmonds/Engvall

When Kase is inevitably hurt, opportunities will appear for Bunting. It was my understanding that the Leafs sold Bunting and Ritchie on the top-6 opportunity that our lack of depth on the left side was going to give them.

That said, injuries or players failing to perform would shift everything dramatically (i.e., like you I truly believe Ritchie gets a legitimate shot in the top-6, maybe with both centres depending on how he plays, but if he doesn't keep up or contribute in a useful manner, then he'll shift down).
- Monkeypunk

Do we have some stats of Nylander playing on his off-wing? I'd like to see if he's as effective there or if it makes any significant difference in his scoring.

Who else is there on the left side though?
- Scabeh

Ritchie
Bunting
Kerfoot (I like him better as an LW than a C)
Mikheyev
Engvall
Robertson

PP1:

Willie-JT-AM34
Marner-Sandin

Rationale: have Willie and AM34 be your shooters and Snake can grind in front of the net. I think Sandin has a better shot than Rielly so I'd like to see him here (but I'll understand if they want to keep Morgan happy). Marner can roam around as he sees fit and feed shooters.

If need be, move JT to PP2 and have Ritchie be your guy in front of the net.

PP2:

I don't care.
- mjones242

I like this and am open to either Sandin or Rielly on the pointing Sandin can move the puck well. They is having Willie/Auston and feeding them. Another shot is nice but feeders and net presence is critical.

Ritchie
Bunting
Kerfoot (I like him better as an LW than a C)
Mikheyev
Engvall
Robertson
- PatC80

Happy unnecessary election day for everyone in Canada!

Reading what everyone is projecting as the Leafs lines and seeing the above and I have to ask - does nobody see Robertson sticking with the Leafs this season?

I look at a couple maybe 3 of the names listed above his in that list and think he could slot into a 3rd or 4th line role and those other names could be flipped for some help on the backend perhaps.

I could envision Robertson learning alot from a guy like Spezza.

Maybe I had too much blue koolaid but I was thinking (hoping) to see Robertson with the big club this year - at least to start the season.

Go Leafs Go!

Happy unnecessary election day for everyone in Canada!

Reading what everyone is projecting as the Leafs lines and seeing the above and I have to ask - does nobody see Robertson sticking with the Leafs this season?

I look at a couple maybe 3 of the names listed above his in that list and think he could slot into a 3rd or 4th line role and those other names could be flipped for some help on the backend perhaps.

I could envision Robertson learning alot from a guy like Spezza.

Maybe I had too much blue koolaid but I was thinking (hoping) to see Robertson with the big club this year - at least to start the season.

Go Leafs Go!
- Cush29

I think he will get a chance soon enough, maybe Mikheyev will be dealt, or maybe there will be injuries to guys in the top 6 and he can step in..

Personally, I would trade Kerfoot, but I know he's got some versatility to his game

just got back from voting.

1 hour wait for a 2 sec "X" marks the spot.