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.
- Monkeypunk

Kase’s numbers offensively are far worse than Kerfoot’s actually. Less PPG with twice as many shots? No that’s not good

He’s had 1 point in the past two years as well, he does not have a guaranteed starting spot in the roster

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.
- Monkeypunk

In my opinion, Kerfoot becomes expendable only if the use an actual shut down line as the 3rd line.

Something like;


Ritchie-Kampf-Engvall. I think this type of line can play physical and be effective at playing a shut down role.

If they decide Kampf should be on the 4th line, and want to use a 3rd line with speed/skill then Kerfoot will stay.

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.
- underhill14

I don’t give Kerfoot poop. I just disagree about where he’s most useful.

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

D guys


I changed my mind and switched top line guys
- Canada Cup

Matthews and Marner need someone who can park in front of the net, Bunting isn’t that guy.

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

I think you know this, but I think everyone's thoughts are valuable here. We all want the same thing - we just don't necessarily agree on the formula for it to happen.

I personally think your take on Matthews is crazy, and I think you figure mine is naive. I also think you're over valuing Kerfoot for one playoff game (the best in his life, by the way), but I also like his skating and passing ability. I believe Kerfoot could be a contributor on the wing in the top-6 if given the chance - but I also believe Kase is better. That said, Kerfoot has played 199 games in the last 3 years and Kase has played 88.

Mike Augello: Leafs open camp with more questions than answers
"Mitch Marner – worked on his shot over the summer to take advantage of the scoring opportunities he often gets on the power play. Has focused most of the summer on moving past the playoff loss and not dwelling on it."

- mikeinbuffalo

- sounds like he's been dwelling on the playoff loss all summer...

I expect there's more over the glass beauties to come

I think you know this, but I think everyone's thoughts are valuable here. We all want the same thing - we just don't necessarily agree on the formula for it to happen.

I personally think your take on Matthews is crazy, and I think you figure mine is naive. I also think you're over valuing Kerfoot for one playoff game (the best in his life, by the way), but I also like his skating and passing ability. I believe Kerfoot could be a contributor on the wing in the top-6 if given the chance - but I also believe Kase is better. That said, Kerfoot has played 199 games in the last 3 years and Kase has played 88.
- Monkeypunk

Try again,

88 is the last FOUR years, with only 9 in the last two

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.
- Dozzer

It may be nuts, but those promises were made to Thornton and Simmonds last year.

Just sayin'...

Matthews and Marner need someone who can park in front of the net, Bunting isn’t that guy.
- Dozzer

Bunting scores all his goals in tight around the net. His game is creating chaos around the net. I don’t know how you find his spray chart but I remember they’re all from right there.

But he’d also be cool creating havoc with Spezza and Simmonds on the 4th

It may be nuts, but those promises were made to Thornton and Simmonds last year.

Just sayin'...
- Atomic Wedgie

Yup, but setup the lineup so due to injuries only the top two lines need adjustment of bottom two lines. Have a player sit for the top 6 and a player sit for the bottom 6.

Don’t figure on fixing a scoring line with a guy focusing his season playing a shutdown role.

What the (frank) is Drew, is what I've been thinking about.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I think its suppose to be Biebs middle name.

Try again,

88 is the last FOUR years, with only 9 in the last two
- Dozzer

Look at the years. He was traded mid-season in 2019. He played 49 games for Anaheim and 6 for Boston (and then 11 in the playoffs). He played 3 games last year, and he played 30 games the year before.

The Canucks: "We only have 10M to sign our two best players"

Also the Canucks: "I'm very disappointed these 2 guys aren't there at the beginning of camp".

The Canucks: "We only have 10M to sign our two best players"

Also the Canucks: "I'm very disappointed these 2 guys aren't there at the beginning of camp".


- Scabeh

Where is Don Waddell when you really need him?

Try again,

88 is the last FOUR years, with only 9 in the last two
- Dozzer

Ya Kase is hot mess, he's never played more than 66 games in a season

He'll get injured putting on the Leafs jersey.
but in 2019 he did play 55 games...he was traded so its split.
Past 4 years he's played 146 games

Kase’s numbers offensively are far worse than Kerfoot’s actually. Less PPG with twice as many shots? No that’s not good

He’s had 1 point in the past two years as well, he does not have a guaranteed starting spot in the roster
- Dozzer

I'll tell you who has a starting spot....


Kerfoot.

In my opinion, Kerfoot becomes expendable only if the use an actual shut down line as the 3rd line.

Something like;


Ritchie-Kampf-Engvall. I think this type of line can play physical and be effective at playing a shut down role.

If they decide Kampf should be on the 4th line, and want to use a 3rd line with speed/skill then Kerfoot will stay.
- PatC80

I dont think Kase or Kampf or buntin make kerfoot expandable at all.

- sounds like he's been dwelling on the playoff loss all summer...

I expect there's more over the glass beauties to come
- 21peter

Apparently he's stronger now, should be less effort to do so.

I'll tell you who has a starting spot....


Kerfoot.
- bobbyisno1

Yup.
I dont see Kerfoot being pushed out by any of the new players they brought in.

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.
- Dozzer

He's a former 20 goal scorer who has been ravaged by injuries but consistently played Top 6 minutes when he was healthy.

I don't see why that's nuts?

Kerfoot is a utility player. He will be up and down the lineup because he's so "versatile". He will never be a lock in the Top 6 and Leafs mgmt/coaching are not going to let recency bias convince them that he deserves a chance to consistently play with Snake and Willie.

I could be desperately wrong but it makes no sense to me playing Kerfoot in the Top 6 when you have guys like Kase who have shown that they have the pedigree to play in the upper half of the lineup.

Bunting is another player who will get a chance to showcase his wares to see if his numbers are real or an illusion.

Kerfoot will be the guy who you move around the lineup to give other players a look or to temporarily replace a Top 6 player if they go down (ugh).

Yup.
I dont see Kerfoot being pushed out by any of the new players they brought in.
- Fakepartofme

The only guys getting pushed out of the lineup with any regularity will be Simmonds and Engvall. Unless Bunting and Kase horribly flop, of course.

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.
- Monkeypunk

Hey Wedgie, put this in your thread: Bunting will become just as popular as Hyman - even without the kids’ books.

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.
- Monkeypunk

I dont see Kase and/or Kampf pushing Kerfoot out to the line up.
Kase wont make it out of the locker room before he gets injured.

I dont see Kase and/or Kampf pushing Kerfoot out to the line up.
Kase wont make it out of the locker room before he gets injured.
- Fakepartofme

Who the (frank) is saying Kase or Kampf will push Kerfoot out of the lineup?!

The only thing pushing Kerf out of the lineup is his cap hit.

Kase’s numbers offensively are far worse than Kerfoot’s actually. Less PPG with twice as many shots? No that’s not good

He’s had 1 point in the past two years as well, he does not have a guaranteed starting spot in the roster
- Dozzer

Take a look at this article:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...g-ondrej-kase-comes-risk/

The video of the hit that knocked him out for the season is frightening - not because it's a gruesome hit, but rather because it's absolutely nothing.

I wish this guy well, but I wouldn't bet on him playing 20 games for the rest of his career.