I doubt that’s the first move. I don’t know why they wouldn’t try Zach Bunting on the first line first and then try Richie in the second or third line. They need to know what they’re shopping for. Maybe nobody if all the pieces fit somewhere else. Maybe a second line winger. But check out internal options first.
- Canada Cup

I repeat: if Bunting keeps rolling with the 2nd line you don't move him. Just because Mitch and Murray AM34 may not have a competent LW doesn't mean you (frank) around with something that is working.

Having said that, I'm doubting Greasy Rat is for real and I'll bet his contributions become less and less impressive as the season starts to progress. But who knows? Maybe this found wallet is for realsies. 🤷

They might give Soup a chance (all we are saying?) and they could also try rolling with Kerf (ugh) if need be but I don't think anyone - including Bunting - is a top line answer.

Which means?

Traaaaaadezzzzzz!

Because he’s huge, it doesn’t look like a big hit because he were to do poop like that he’s get tossed in the penalty box for roughing

He leads the team in hits and notably so.

He has been the only guy on that line doing his job properly. Like I said, once Matthews has his rust off watch out, even Ritchie will start to bang in rebounds. That line needs the star players to get going, not the augmentation winger.
- Dozzer

Matthews hit the ground running last night imo

Yep we got 4 of them.

No need to break a good thing up to try and cater to M & M
- jribout

Yeah, I’d throw Rielly and Campbell in there too, so 4.

Four games
- Zezel

And tied for first in the league

I’ll be shocked if they start changing the lineup around before Mikheyev comes back and they have to choose where to put him.

Matthews hit the ground running last night imo
- Zezel

Oh yeah I’m not saying that he didn’t. What I am saying is that he is still a human and since he didn’t get to play any preseason games either it’s going to take a couple for him to get his shots as dangerous to the opposition as possible

Ritchie is leading the team in hits with 15 while second is Rielly who is only at 9

He has been “mucking” it up more than anyone on the bloody team
- Dozzer

#dozzertruthbombs

#dozzertruthbombs
- mjones242

Yup, Ritchie is doing his job and that line is just waiting for Matthews and Marner to get rolling at this point… I’m willing to bet that it happens this weekend tbh

Yeah, I’d throw Rielly and Campbell in there too, so 4.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Perfect then leave Bunting with Tavares and Nylander because they need the help.

Perfect then leave Bunting with Tavares and Nylander because they need the help.
- jribout

They don’t the help, I said that earlier.

You could put some leftover lasagna on the ice and they’d still produce. JT and WN are going to produce.

They don’t the help, I said that earlier.

You could put some leftover lasagna on the ice and they’d still produce. JT and WN are going to produce.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Absolutely because they are elite talents.

They don’t the help, I said that earlier.

You could put some leftover lasagna on the ice and they’d still produce. JT and WN are going to produce.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

But Matthews and Marner do need the help?

Because he’s huge, it doesn’t look like a big hit because he were to do poop like that he’s get tossed in the penalty box for roughing

He leads the team in hits and notably so.

He has been the only guy on that line doing his job properly. Like I said, once Matthews has his rust off watch out, even Ritchie will start to bang in rebounds. That line needs the star players to get going, not the augmentation winger.
- Dozzer

Agreed. Ritchie should do very nicely on that line once M&M start lighting up the scoreboard - and that will happen. We know he'll be the most penalized player on that line and it won't be for flipping the puck over the glass.

Absolutely because they are elite talents.
- jribout

Not elite, well JT you could make a case.

Otherwise they’re just good players.

People toss around these words so loosely.

Four games
- Zezel

Should be 5-0 if they were so good. There’s always next year.

But Matthews and Marner do need the help?
- Dozzer

No, but you put the best with the best. And Bunting is the best LW they have.

Not elite, well JT you could make a case.

Otherwise they’re just good players.

People toss around these words so loosely.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Penalty killer, leading scorer, top PP. sounds elite to me.

Penalty killer, leading scorer, top PP. sounds elite to me.
- jribout

Who’re you talking about, WN?

He’s played like 2 minutes of PK in his life

It’s been 4 games, but they player you’re describing is Marner, and I expect he’ll be all those things.

Yup, Ritchie is doing his job and that line is just waiting for Matthews and Marner to get rolling at this point… I’m willing to bet that it happens this weekend tbh
- Dozzer

It's crazy how much negativity is being projected on Ritchie when Marner has been struggling to put up points himself.

I see Ritchie being a physical presence and doing what he was brought into to do... with the exception of scoring, but who on the 1st line is doing that right now?!

Patience would be a fun change in Leafs fandom.

No, but you put the best with the best. And Bunting is the best LW they have.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

That’s why you play him with the slightly less talented line and put the biggest hitter who can park his ass in front of the net better than anyone on the team.

Thankfully Keefe is far more likely to agree with me, he won’t break up a line that’s functioning great together, not a chance. That would be a dumb as hell coaching move.

Who’re you talking about, WN?

He’s played like 2 minutes of PK in his life

It’s been 4 games, but they player you’re describing is Marner, and I expect he’ll be all those things.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Oh so what your saying is we need to show some patience and see how things shakeout?

He literally played with his line for the first time, including preseason, in a game.

He’s only supposed to be the guy that hits and parks his ass in front of the net to screen the goalie and bang in rebounds and he’s been doing rather well at that. It’s the other two at fault for not creating chances for him.

It’s up to Matthews and Marner to get their asses going to get that line moving and nothing more.
- Dozzer

This is where I completely disagree with you. You can call me negative all you want, but that description of yours is simply not good enough for an NHL top 3 forward.

That’s why you play him with the slightly less talented line and put the biggest hitter who can park his ass in front of the net better than anyone on the team.

Thankfully Keefe is far more likely to agree with me, he won’t break up a line that’s functioning great together, not a chance. That would be a dumb as hell coaching move.
- Dozzer

The talking heads all give Nick another 5 games to show he deserves a spot on the top line. And I agree with the experts on this one.

Who’re you talking about, WN?

He’s played like 2 minutes of PK in his life

It’s been 4 games, but they player you’re describing is Marner, and I expect he’ll be all those things.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

He’s number 5 on the team for forwards on the PK this year. He’s only at 2:50 but he’s only 1:09 behind Engvall for 4th

Oh so what your saying is we need to show some patience and see how things shakeout?
- jribout

You’ve lost me here. We were talking about who’s elite.

We don’t need things to shake out, we already know who is. Matthews and Marner are. JT Rielly and Soup are debatable

The talking heads all give Nick another 5 games to show he deserves a spot on the top line. And I agree with the experts on this one.
- Arctic_AARDVARK