cause trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the very definition of being a Habs fan?
- PatC80

Price will carry us to the cup!

- Habs since 2011

I’m sorry but Kerfoot has earned the first chance over the new guy with only 0.469PPG and tons of injury issues in his career where Kerfoot has a 0.489PPG (similar but higher) with very little injury issues

I believe Kerfoot gets the top chance because on top of small yet still better stats he’s got experience with the players and is not new to the team.

We shall see, my guess is Kerfoot and yours is Kase.
- Dozzer

I'd rather put a guy out there who shoots the puck twice as much in my Top 6 and who has more offensive creativity.

I'd like to see what Kase can accomplish playing with an elite C.

I know what we have with Kerfoot. He had one absolutely dynamite game last post-season where he had 3 apples. Beyond that? He's meh.

I'd rather put a guy out there who shoots the puck twice as much in my Top 6 and who has more offensive creativity.

I'd like to see what Kase can accomplish playing with an elite C.

I know what we have with Kerfoot. He had one absolutely dynamite game last post-season where he had 3 apples. Beyond that? He's meh.
- mjones242

Because he’s the guy you play with the talent not the guy you expect to run the offensive line!

Also twice of many shots is WORSE!!! Because he still has less of a PPG stat

What’s trying the same thing?

Neither Kerfoot or Kase have been the regular second line wingers for the leafs

Kerfoot was bumbled up after the JT injury in the post season and that line did well
- Dozzer

Alex Kerfoot on the 3rd line or the 2nd line is still Alex Kerfoot.. Won't scare anyone and really isn't a scoring threat.. Regardless, if he is on a line with JT or Engvall, Kerfoot won't move the needle so to speak, so give someone else a chance...

Kase has a 20 goal season under his belt.. Kerfoot has 17 goals in his past 2 seasons with the Leafs.. No harm in trying someone else

Alex Kerfoot on the 3rd line or the 2nd line is still Alex Kerfoot.. Won't scare anyone and really isn't a scoring threat.. Regardless, if he is on a line with JT or Engvall, Kerfoot won't move the needle so to speak, so give someone else a chance...

Kase has a 20 goal season under his belt.. Kerfoot has 17 goals in his past 2 seasons with the Leafs.. No harm in trying someone else
- PatC80

He got 6P being bumped up to the second line without JT

He also has a 19 goal season when he was a rookie

The leafs using him on the shutdown line and you guys complain about him not scoring? No offence but wtf?

Unless Kase has a stellar pre-season I’ll be shocked if he even starts in this lineup

Because he’s the guy you play with the talent not the guy you expect to run the offensive line!

Also twice of many shots is WORSE!!! Because he still has less of a PPG stat
- Dozzer

Shooting the puck creates chances and with guys like Snake and Willie, I'm sure those shots will be in higher danger positions and/or may be gobbled up for dirty goals.

Kerfoot is a 3rd line guy who can, in a pinch, play up in the lineup. Kase is an offensively gifted, speedy winger who has a chance to finally play with some elite players.

Ultimately, Kerfoot's 3.5M contract will need to be dumped. Unless he plays out of his mind his days are numbered.

I want to play with the shiny new toy.

Price will carry us to the cup!

- Habs since 2011
- Scabeh

Well, he did, didn't he? You didn't win it, but he definitely delivered the goods!

He got 6P being bumped up to the second line without JT

He also has a 19 goal season when he was a rookie

The leafs using him on the shutdown line and you guys complain about him not scoring? No offence but wtf?

Unless Kase has a stellar pre-season I’ll be shocked if he even starts in this lineup
- Dozzer

Kerfoot was fine on the second line. He’s more valuable to the team on the third. There are others with the same or more offensive capacity but the shut down needs prevail, IMO

Shooting the puck creates chances and with guys like Snake and Willie, I'm sure those shots will be in higher danger positions and/or may be gobbled up for dirty goals.

Kerfoot is a 3rd line guy who can, in a pinch, play up in the lineup. Kase is an offensively gifted, speedy winger who has a chance to finally play with some elite players.

Ultimately, Kerfoot's 3.5M contract will need to be dumped. Unless he plays out of his mind his days are numbered.

I want to play with the shiny new toy.
- mjones242

Bennett?

He got 6P being bumped up to the second line without JT

He also has a 19 goal season when he was a rookie

The leafs using him on the shutdown line and you guys complain about him not scoring? No offence but wtf?

Unless Kase has a stellar pre-season I’ll be shocked if he even starts in this lineup
- Dozzer

I just don't see Kerfoot as a difference maker offensively or defensively.. Kase may not be a difference maker either, but he should get a chance to be..

What’s trying the same thing?

Neither Kerfoot or Kase have been the regular second line wingers for the leafs

Kerfoot was bumped up after the JT injury in the post season and that line did well
- Dozzer

Stop talking nonsense.







Oops, I meant sense.

Kerry Fraser behind the plate……. again?

Kerfoot was fine on the second line. He’s more valuable to the team on the third. There are others with the same or more offensive capacity but the shut down needs prevail, IMO
- Canada Cup

I disagree whole heartedly with the bolded.

I think he’s being wasted playing a defensive role. Like I mentioned, a 3rd line using Mikheyev, Bunting, and Engvall would be just as good and would add the complimentary offensive talent of Kerfoot.

You guys really need to stop dreaming so many of the new guys are going to take roster spots, I guarantee they won’t.

Stop talking nonsense.







Oops, I meant sense.
- bobbyisno1

Apparently my thoughts aren’t even worth cents according to everyone lol

Bennett?
- Canada Cup

That was not the kase I was presenting.

But it'll be fun to see if Sammy Bennett is for realsies this season!

Apparently my thoughts aren’t even worth cents according to everyone lol
- Dozzer

Well based on last years playoffs I'm going to go with Kerfoot starts on JT's line with Nylander.
Unless they break up Marner and Mathews.
And I so wish they break up Marner and Mathews.

I disagree whole heartedly with the bolded.

I think he’s being wasted playing a defensive role. Like I mentioned, a 3rd line using Mikheyev, Bunting, and Engvall would be just as good and would add the complimentary offensive talent of Kerfoot.

You guys really need to stop dreaming so many of the new guys are going to take roster spots, I guarantee they won’t.
- Dozzer

I agree with you, Kerfoot is not as valuable on the 3rd line. It's his cap hit that is more valuable. Use that to upgrade other areas of concern.

Well based on last years playoffs I'm going to go with Kerfoot starts on JT's line with Nylander.
Unless they break up Marner and Mathews.
And I so wish they break up Marner and Mathews.
- bobbyisno1

You really think Leafs mgmt/coaching are going to put on rose-tinted glasses and believe that Kerfoot's playoff success last year deserves a Top 6 position?

I think the only way he gets a chance on the 2nd line is if they really, really want Willie to stay at RW.

I can't believe Dubas would have bothered signing Kase just to bury him on the 4th line though. And he's definitely not the kind of player you want playing a defensive 3rd line role.

Then again, I'm not running this show so who the (frank) knows how it all shakes down.

Well based on last years playoffs I'm going to go with Kerfoot starts on JT's line with Nylander.
Unless they break up Marner and Mathews.
- bobbyisno1

It makes so much more sense.

Leave Kase off the starting lineup and that way:

If Matthews is hurt bump up JT, move Kerfoot over and play Kase on the 2nd
If JT is hurt, move Kerfoot over and play Kase on the 2nd
If Marner is hurt, bump up Nylander and play Kase on the 2nd
If Keroot is hurt, play Kase on his position

Otherwise the coaches would have to mix up at least three lines which could disrupt an effectively playing bottom 6

Kase will be the sit out guy unless they play him on the third instead of Bunting imo

I agree with you, Kerfoot is not as valuable on the 3rd line. It's his cap hit that is more valuable. Use that to upgrade other areas of concern.
- PatC80

Yup! If there is one guarantee it's that this will almost certainly transpire.

How else does this team make any acquisitions to improve themselves unless they jettison a fair chunk of change? The Core 4 will remain and the rest of the lineup is full of cheap players who won't be enough to make room for a substantial upgrade.

I agree with you, Kerfoot is not as valuable on the 3rd line. It's his cap hit that is more valuable. Use that to upgrade other areas of concern.
- PatC80

He still has a supportive offensive skill.

Just play the guys who are good defensively but not proven or great offensively on the third line.

He also earned it last post season imo

I disagree whole heartedly with the bolded.

I think he’s being wasted playing a defensive role. Like I mentioned, a 3rd line using Mikheyev, Bunting, and Engvall would be just as good and would add the complimentary offensive talent of Kerfoot.

You guys really need to stop dreaming so many of the new guys are going to take roster spots, I guarantee they won’t.
- Dozzer

Bunting, Ritchie, Kase and Kampf are all going to make this team and have roster spots. Bunting and Ritchie were both sold on the opportunity to have a top-6 opportunity on the left side. Kampf is expected to fill the defensive Centre position that Keefe has coveted and desired - that Kerfoot couldn't do. It doesn't look like Bunting will get the opportunity off the hop, but he'll get the chance to earn it, I suppose.

Strictly speaking from an offensive perspective, Kase is better than Kerfoot. Strictly speaking from a health perspective, Kase is terrible - he's never played more than 66 games, and last year played 3 games. He should fit in around here with 2 goals in 24 playoff games in his career. He fits in with Kerfoot, who has 3 goals in 30 games.

At the end of the day, our _current_ cap situation, assuming we keep our core (which we are), is alleviated by moving out Kerfoot. But that can only be accomplished if one of the new guys can supplant him.

Gotta agree with Dozzer re: Kerfoot.

He gets poop on a lot on these boards and I don't understand it. He is ONE of the players that shows up night in and night out. He was one of the few Leafs that actually played well in the playoffs. His $3.5 is only an issue because of Dubas' management of the Cap and Covid but he is far from over paid considering his versatility.

Top 6 should be

Ritchie, Matthews, Marner
Kerfoot, Tavares, Nylander

If Robertson can find his way to the 2LW, then Kerfoot can go back to the 3rd line but I would make it an offense first line and use the 4th line for shut down.


If you want to lose Cap and dead weight start with Engvall and Dermott. Replace them with a couple of ELCs and save $1.5M ish.

You really think Leafs mgmt/coaching are going to put on rose-tinted glasses and believe that Kerfoot's playoff success last year deserves a Top 6 position?

I think the only way he gets a chance on the 2nd line is if they really, really want Willie to stay at RW.

I can't believe Dubas would have bothered signing Kase just to bury him on the 4th line though. And he's definitely not the kind of player you want playing a defensive 3rd line role.

Then again, I'm not running this show so who the (frank) knows how it all shakes down.
- mjones242

Kase has only played 9 games in the last two years with nothing but 1 assist and you think he was brought in guaranteed to be given ice time in the top 6? That’s nuts man I’m sorry.

I disagree whole heartedly with the bolded.

I think he’s being wasted playing a defensive role. Like I mentioned, a 3rd line using Mikheyev, Bunting, and Engvall would be just as good and would add the complimentary offensive talent of Kerfoot.

You guys really need to stop dreaming so many of the new guys are going to take roster spots, I guarantee they won’t.
- Dozzer

Bunting/Matthews/Marner
Ritchie/JT/Willie
Kerfoot/Kampf/Mik-Engvall
Simmonds/Spezza/Kase

D guys


I changed my mind and switched top line guys