Said by Keefe earlier today:

“Mickey’s certainly one of those guys that wants a larger role,” Keefe said. “That’s a great thing as a coach — they’re hungry for more, they’re looking for more.

“I believe in Mickey greatly.”

Maybe we’re all guessing who is going to be the new second line winger?!
- Dozzer

Didn't he ask for a trade? I like Soup enough (especially minestrone!) but I just don't think he's got the hands or the hockey IQ to be a scoring winger.

Sounds like Keefe is trying to throw him a bone. Guessing we're going to see an open audition / revolving door for second line wingers for the first half of the season.

Pavel Gogolev really wants to play on the top line. At least I think that’s what said. That’s what I love as a coach, players who speak other languages.
- Canada Cup

Robertson-SDA-Gogolev will be one helluva fun Petes line to watch on the Marlies this year.

Said by Keefe earlier today:

“Mickey’s certainly one of those guys that wants a larger role,” Keefe said. “That’s a great thing as a coach — they’re hungry for more, they’re looking for more.

“I believe in Mickey greatly.”

Maybe we’re all guessing who is going to be the new second line winger?!
- Dozzer

Give him a shot. Put in the position to succeed of fail. why not?

Didn't he ask for a trade? I like Soup enough (especially minestrone!) but I just don't think he's got the hands or the hockey IQ to be a scoring winger.

Sounds like Keefe is trying to throw him a bone. Guessing we're going to see an open audition / revolving door for second line wingers for the first half of the season.
- mjones242

Yeah I’m hoping that Keefe was just avoiding a blow up of that off-season media of the team. Maybe he’s making the player know that the reason the GM said no was because he didn’t want to lose him. Who knows with media replies tbh

Give him a shot. Put in the position to succeed of fail. why not?
- bixll

Maybe start him on the third but give him some second PP unit time to see if he can start scoring and not just shooting… if he does bump him up the roster over someone he’s looking better than

Maybe start him on the third but give him some second PP unit time to see if he can start scoring and not just shooting… if he does bump him up the roster over someone he’s looking better than
- Dozzer

It is all speculation anyway. We will see how camp goes and go from there.

Some will surprise.

Maybe start him on the third but give him some second PP unit time to see if he can start scoring and not just shooting… if he does bump him up the roster over someone he’s looking better than
- Dozzer

Some PP2 time for him is definitely an interesting experiment.

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

I think this is close. If Kerf is top 6. Then maybe Kampf Engvall Micky are the shutdown line

It is all speculation anyway. We will see how camp goes and go from there.

Some will surprise.
- bixll

I’m mostly curious who they’re going to plunk into Matthews spot during the games… doubt it would be JT since they’ll be experimenting who works god with him and Nylander… at least I think so anyways

Some PP2 time for him is definitely an interesting experiment.
- mjones242

Maybe the coaches need to focus on where he chooses to shoot the puck from… get him to be a tad more specific

I’m mostly curious who they’re going to plunk into Matthews spot during the games… doubt it would be JT since they’ll be experimenting who works god with him and Nylander… at least I think so anyways
- Dozzer

It may be him. Depends on chemistry with Matthews.

It may be Ritchie if they want some toughness on the line.

Kase is the 13th offensive player so maybe they do only expect 20 games from him

Yes that’s how I see it

And my last name is Locke so maybe because I say it he IS a lock to play

(I’m so kidding lol)
- Dozzer

*taking notes for the prediction thread*

It may be him. Depends on chemistry with Matthews.

It may be Ritchie if they want some toughness on the line.
- bixll

Regular season yeah I agree… but I mean post season since Matthews won’t be playing this Saturday for instance… at least I doubt it

Regular season yeah I agree… but I mean post season since Matthews won’t be playing this Saturday for instance… at least I doubt it
- Dozzer

Might put Marner back with JT and Willie with Matthews. Nobody here knows for sure.

Hyman

Not every team has the kind of skill sets the oilers and the leafs have on the top line
- Dozzer

Nope. Ritchie cannot get in on the forecheck, create chances, and score like Hyman.

There is a reason Ritchie couldn't crack the top six in Boston.

I would also argue that other teams have better top lines than Toronto and Edmonton, despite the skillsets on the Leafs/Oilers.

It may be him. Depends on chemistry with Matthews.

It may be Ritchie if they want some toughness on the line.
- bixll

While it would be fun seeing Ritchie play on the 2nd line with Willie (remember the howling from when the Leafs didn't draft Nick?) I think AM34 and Mitch need someone who can crack skulls, park himself in front of the net, or go hard into corners.

Snake is a grinder and works the boards hard and is impressive in front of the net already so they don't really need a guy like Nick on that line.

To wit: God, I hope Nick Ritchie finds his game on TO.

Nope. Ritchie cannot get in on the forecheck, create chances, and score like Hyman.

There is a reason Ritchie couldn't crack the top six in Boston.
- fifty__missions

Ritchie was tracking for 20+ goals last season if the season was full length. Impressive, considering he "couldn't crack" the top six in Boston.

Playing with AM34 or Snake and getting some PP time with a much more gifted offensive team than Boston should help him sniff at least 25 goals this season.

Nope. Ritchie cannot get in on the forecheck, create chances, and score like Hyman.

There is a reason Ritchie couldn't crack the top six in Boston.
- fifty__missions

Anything better than 35 pts and 70 pim and I'm surprised. His hockey IQ is not exactly elite...

Anything better than 35 pts and 70 pim and I'm surprised. His hockey IQ is not exactly elite...
- 21peter

So you expect him to do worse on TML than Boston?

Ritchie was tracking for 20+ goals last season if the season was full length. Impressive, considering he "couldn't crack" the top six in Boston.

Playing with AM34 or Snake and getting some PP time with a much more gifted offensive team than Boston should help him sniff at least 25 goals this season.
- mjones242

We're a "much more gifted offensive team" than Boston?

Might put Marner back with JT and Willie with Matthews. Nobody here knows for sure.
- bixll

How very true, how the new guys pan out will potentially effect the key players locations in the lineup for sure

We're a "much more gifted offensive team" than Boston?
- fifty__missions

Is this a real question?!

So you expect him to do worse on TML than Boston?
- mjones242

yeah well, the Leafs aren't exactly the big bad B's are they...

Is this a real question?!
- mjones242

Absolutely it is. Did you see our powerplay for half the season and the playoff disaster?

Did that look "gifted" to you?

Watch Boston's powerplay.

yeah well, the Leafs aren't exactly the big bad B's are they...
- 21peter

I'm looking forward to spanking them this year.