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
- Canada Cup

Spezza takes draws but flips to the wing hence why I think Kampf (signed for two years) plays C on that line. Banting (signed for two years) would be a good third line winger who could make the line a tad more effective offensively with his size and front of net presence. Ritchie (signed for the most for two years) is the biggest and strongest winger they sign who would be the most effective in front of the opposition’s net while dealing with their biggest D.

Kase signed for only 1 year so I’m guessing he’s who they plan on having as the top 6 backup player.

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.
- Dozzer

I'm not arguing with your thoughts - I'm just saying don't rule out that stupid promises may have been made to players.

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

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

He’s working on putting it out behind the opposing goalie from behind his own goalie.

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).
- mjones242

Look what wedgie just posted, the guy is simply too fragile and hasn’t truly played hockey in two years.

He has to truly earn any future chances, kerfoot has

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

The funny thing is - Petterson's starting price has to be 9 x 5 years after what Kaprizov got, no?

Hughes is likely pointing to Dahlin as his comparable on a bridge contract...

Hard to get deals on these guys now if they are looking to cash in.

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.
- Atomic Wedgie

I've been hit harder walking down Yonge street when I misread where someone else was going. Of course I've never played hockey professionally since either, so I can relate.

I'm not arguing with your thoughts - I'm just saying don't rule out that stupid promises may have been made to players.
- Atomic Wedgie

I have a feeling both Bunting and Ritchie (perhaps Kase as well) were told they would be given every opportunity to play themselves into the top 6.

I think we see Ritchie/Bunting on the left side of the top two lines a few times throughout the preseason.

Spezza takes draws but flips to the wing hence why I think Kampf (signed for two years) plays C on that line. Banting (signed for two years) would be a good third line winger who could make the line a tad more effective offensively with his size and front of net presence. Ritchie (signed for the most for two years) is the biggest and strongest winger they sign who would be the most effective in front of the opposition’s net while dealing with their biggest D.

Kase signed for only 1 year so I’m guessing he’s who they plan on having as the top 6 backup player.
- Dozzer

Yeah either Ritchie or Bunting can do the net gig. Ritchie bigger but slower. I think Kampf is as good taking draws as Spezza if I remember correctly and I’m not sure sure why the length of signing tells us how long Kase will be here. Maybe they’re just as unsure about his health as the rest of us

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.
- Atomic Wedgie

Maybe its just me but isn't that Bunting?

Look what wedgie just posted, the guy is simply too fragile and hasn’t truly played hockey in two years.

He has to truly earn any future chances, kerfoot has
- Dozzer

Put me in the who cares about Kerfoot camp.

He had a handful of decent playoff games last year, and 54 average at best games before them. I know which sample period I'm using if I'm forced to hedge bets. 🤮

If opportunities are earned off of that small a sample period, Engvall should be 2nd line centre from his last few games before playoffs.

I've been hit harder walking down Yonge street when I misread where someone else was going. Of course I've never played hockey professionally since either, so I can relate.
- Monkeypunk

I apologize. That was me

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).
- mjones242

I think this is where the difference of opinion starts. You should say:

"The Leafs are using Kerfoot as an utility player due to his versatility".

Kerfoot is a nice 2LW who can take draws and grind down low. He can also slot in at 3C or 3LW as needed.

As far as Kase goes, who cares. MAYBE, a found wallet for 20 games.

Bunting is interesting to me. Worse case 3LW best case a Gallagher type for 2LW.

Ritchie is exactly what's needed on the 1LW. He'll be playing a bit over his skill level but his jam and net front is what will be the difference maker on that line.

If it were me:

Ritchie, Matthews, Nylander
Kerfoot/Bunting, JT, Marner
Bunting/Kerfoot, Engvall, Micheyev
Simmonds, Kampf, Spezza
Gabriel

D is going to end up like this:

Rielly, Brodie
Muzz, Holl
Sandin/Dermott, Biega
Dermott/Sandin

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.
- Atomic Wedgie

I’m not convinced on this guy whatsoever tbh

I’d even be shocked if he makes it through preseason

Spezza takes draws but flips to the wing hence why I think Kampf (signed for two years) plays C on that line. Banting (signed for two years) would be a good third line winger who could make the line a tad more effective offensively with his size and front of net presence. Ritchie (signed for the most for two years) is the biggest and strongest winger they sign who would be the most effective in front of the opposition’s net while dealing with their biggest D.

Kase signed for only 1 year so I’m guessing he’s who they plan on having as the top 6 backup player.
- Dozzer

Last year, there were only two guys in the league that had a higher 5v5 points per 60 than Spezza: McDavid and Marchand.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...r605v5&page=0&pageSize=50

I know the dude is old as frank, but surely we can up his minutes a little. He averaged 11:02 per game last year. Even worse, he only got 8:53 at even strength last year.

Jimmy Vesey had more ice time than Spezza last year.

Wayne Simmonds had more ice time than Spezza last year.

Give the franking guy more franking icetime. Two more shifts a game.

Maybe its just me but isn't that Bunting?
- bobbyisno1

The video at the top is, but then the article is on Kase.

Put me in the who cares about Kerfoot camp.

He had a handful of decent playoff games last year, and 54 average at best games before them. I know which sample period I'm using if I'm forced to hedge bets. 🤮

If opportunities are earned off of that small a sample period, Engvall should be 2nd line centre from his last few games before playoffs.
- joel878

I truly care about this guy.

He was damn near a PPG player in the post season… that means I could see him hit the 50-60P season playing on the second line full time

Might be a lot of the second assists but who cares? at his cap hit that’s awesome

I think this is where the difference of opinion starts. You should say:

"The Leafs are using Kerfoot as an utility player due to his versatility".

Kerfoot is a nice 2LW who can take draws and grind down low. He can also slot in at 3C or 3LW as needed.

As far as Kase goes, who cares. MAYBE, a found wallet for 20 games.

Bunting is interesting to me. Worse case 3LW best case a Gallagher type for 2LW.

Ritchie is exactly what's needed on the 1LW. He'll be playing a bit over his skill level but his jam and net front is what will be the difference maker on that line.

If it were me:

Ritchie, Matthews, Nylander
Kerfoot/Bunting, JT, Marner
Bunting/Kerfoot, Engvall, Micheyev
Simmonds, Kampf, Spezza
Gabriel

D is going to end up like this:

Rielly, Brodie
Muzz, Holl
Sandin/Dermott, Biega
Dermott/Sandin
- underhill14

I don't see Biega making the team... Or even being the first few injury call-ups.

I have a feeling both Bunting and Ritchie (perhaps Kase as well) were told they would be given every opportunity to play themselves into the top 6.

I think we see Ritchie/Bunting on the left side of the top two lines a few times throughout the preseason.
- Leafs43

Dubas: "Hey Michael, if you sign with the Leafs, you will be given every opportunity to play yourself onto our top two lines."

Dubas: "Hey Nick, if you sign with the Leafs, you will be given every opportunity to play yourself onto our top two lines."

Dubas: "Ondrej...we...like...you. You....sign...here...take the pen, no, take the pen, please, just grab the pen...you....sign...here.... We...like...you... We...take...care..of..you....Jesus, he's drooling on his shirt."

Last year, there were only two guys in the league that had a higher 5v5 points per 60 than Spezza: McDavid and Marchand.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...r605v5&page=0&pageSize=50

I know the dude is old as frank, but surely we can up his minutes a little. He averaged 11:02 per game last year. Even worse, he only got 8:53 at even strength last year.

Jimmy Vesey had more ice time than Spezza last year.

Wayne Simmonds had more ice time than Spezza last year.

Give the franking guy more franking icetime. Two more shifts a game.
- Atomic Wedgie

Who knows? Spezza strikes me as the type of guy who would have personally figured out when he begins to drop off due to being tired and tells the coach himself what to cap him off at.

Who knows? Spezza strikes me as the type of guy who would have personally figured out when he begins to drop off due to being tired and tells the coach himself what to cap him off at.
- Dozzer

You ever met an athlete who asks for less ice time during a game?

Last year, there were only two guys in the league that had a higher 5v5 points per 60 than Spezza: McDavid and Marchand.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/...r605v5&page=0&pageSize=50

I know the dude is old as frank, but surely we can up his minutes a little. He averaged 11:02 per game last year. Even worse, he only got 8:53 at even strength last year.

Jimmy Vesey had more ice time than Spezza last year.

Wayne Simmonds had more ice time than Spezza last year.

Give the franking guy more franking icetime. Two more shifts a game.
- Atomic Wedgie

He’s going to have Wayne Train and probably someone with some scoring touch with him this year. I think they’re going to count on the 4th line for some scoring

I truly care about this guy.

He was damn near a PPG player in the post season… that means I could see him hit the 50-60P season playing on the second line full time

Might be a lot of the second assists but who cares? at his cap hit that’s awesome
- Dozzer

I can appreciate that he showed up in the playoffs when most didn't, I just won't look at a handful of games to form my opinion on what he can do long term.

He's been here long enough, aside from that handful of games he's been largely irrelevant. For the most part what he's brought has been very much replaceable and his money is better used elsewhere.

Yeah either Ritchie or Bunting can do the net gig. Ritchie bigger but slower. I think Kampf is as good taking draws as Spezza if I remember correctly and I’m not sure sure why the length of signing tells us how long Kase will be here. Maybe they’re just as unsure about his health as the rest of us
- Canada Cup

Absolute truth.

However as long as he can do the board work he might be the better guy to play in front of the net against the opposition’s biggest and strongest d-men

The funny thing is - Petterson's starting price has to be 9 x 5 years after what Kaprizov got, no?

Hughes is likely pointing to Dahlin as his comparable on a bridge contract...

Hard to get deals on these guys now if they are looking to cash in.
- Leafs43

To be fair to the Nucks (I don't like to be fair to them) the 10M Scabby has suggested would give them 15F and 9D once those two are signed.

Realistically they have about 14M to sign those two guys once they pare down their roster.

3 x 6 for Hughes seems pretty likely now. Maybe 3 x 7 for Pettersson. They'll be hard pressed to go long term.

Side note - Pettersson in a suit looks like the Boss Baby.

Look what wedgie just posted, the guy is simply too fragile and hasn’t truly played hockey in two years.

He has to truly earn any future chances, kerfoot has
- Dozzer

The Leafs would not have bothered signing him if they truly believed he had 20 games left in his career. I'm thinking the Leafs braintrust isn't simply swinging for the fences and wishing upon a lucky star that he can play more than a quarter of the season.

He's currently not injured and we'll see how he does in training camp. Maybe he doesn't work out. I dunno. If healthy, there is no doubt in my mind that he belongs in the Top 6 above Kerf.

And, once again, no one is arguing that Kerfoot isn't a lock to play on this team. He is decidedly NOT a lock to play Top 6 minutes based on his recent playoff success. He's a versatile guy who can bounce around the lineup. Cool beans. He ain't a solution in the Top 6 though even if Kase and Bunting fail.