I'd like to see the play ten games before forming opinions on the intricacies of the lineup.

I'd like to see the play ten games before forming opinions on the intricacies of the lineup.
- Zezel

Ooooooooooh Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

Remember when Marner was crying in the penalty box, and Willy the GOAT had to comfort him? I remember.

- mjones242

Lol, well I mean former NHL players who work in media.

I'd like to see the play ten games before forming opinions on the intricacies of the lineup.
- Zezel

Coward!

I'd like to see the play ten games before forming opinions on the intricacies of the lineup.
- Zezel

Spoiler alert Nylander will still be awesome! Marner and Matthews will be rolling.

Habs getting pasted.... yet again.

Spoiler alert Nylander will still be awesome! Marner and Matthews will be rolling.
- jribout

I'm feeling it.

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.
- fifty__missions

Wrong

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

I want to make a friendly bet but I dont want to bet against what you're saying lol

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.
- fifty__missions

Because the league is full of lines that have two of the top 5 point producers right?

This line needs grit, not another offensive player.

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

Unless you give actual names so I can look into their validity I no longer believe you

Unless you give actual names so I can look into their validity I no longer believe you
- Dozzer

Mike Johnson today on LL.

I want to make a friendly bet but I dont want to bet against what you're saying lol
- Aaron_85

I kept a back to back weekend pretty open for a reason lol

(Friday vs the Sharks and Saturday vs the Penguins)

Because the league is full of lines that have two of the top 5 point producers right?

This line needs grit, not another offensive player.
- Dozzer

What you are completely ignoring is the fact that they got those points with Zack Hyman on their line. He is a huge upgrade on Nick Ritchie and many people vastly underrated his importance on that line. They will not both be top 5 scorers with Nick Ritchie on their line all season.

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

Accepting the caveat that it’s four games and doesn’t really mean anything but that we can’t talk much about the next 78 ……

I don’t put much weight (pun absolutely and beautifully intended) behind Richie’s hits. They seem to be delivered after the play has been made because he has arrived late. They don’t result in turnovers. I don’t think this is a skating issue. I’d guess it’s a reading the play and getting to the right spot issue. Marner and Matthews play the game at a fast pace and know how to play off each other. Richie’s not there yet. Hopefully that changes.bb

Mike Johnson today on LL.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

He’s just guessing because there’s no way in hell the leafs coaching staff would tell a broadcaster this just because he’s an ex NHLer

The only way he’ll get cut from the line is if he doesn’t get going once Matthews and Marner do, and only if those two aren’t using his screening to produce themselves

What you are completely ignoring is the fact that they got those points with Zack Hyman on their line. He is a huge upgrade on Nick Ritchie and many people vastly underrated his importance on that line. They will not both be top 5 scorers with Nick Ritchie on their line all season.
- fifty__missions

Meh, I never thought Hyman was all that special, he simply looked better due to who he played with. His offence always seem to pretty much disappear when he was playing with others. Even Edmonton didn’t end up putting him on McDavid’s line which means he’s not quite as good as they were hoping.

Ritchie will be fine once the stars begin producing, it’s on those two, not him.

He’s just guessing because there’s no way in hell the leafs coaching staff would tell a broadcaster this just because he’s an ex NHLer

The only way he’ll get cut from the line is if he doesn’t get going once Matthews and Marner do, and only if those two aren’t using his screening to produce themselves
- Dozzer

I didn’t say they told him.

MJ suspects that they’ll move NR if he doesn’t get going soon. And others have said the same thing. No one said Keefe himself said it.

He’s just guessing because there’s no way in hell the leafs coaching staff would tell a broadcaster this just because he’s an ex NHLer

The only way he’ll get cut from the line is if he doesn’t get going once Matthews and Marner do, and only if those two aren’t using his screening to produce themselves
- Dozzer

If his job was just to screen, they could have brought Joe back for less money. He needs to create lanes for the other two, help retrieve pucks, bang in rebounds and score off deflections. That means being in sync and part of the play. Again it’s early but it’s not there yet.

Accepting the caveat that it’s four games and doesn’t really mean anything but that we can’t talk much about the next 78 ……

I don’t put much weight (pun absolutely and beautifully intended) behind Richie’s hits. They seem to be delivered after the play has been made because he has arrived late. They don’t result in turnovers. I don’t think this is a skating issue. I’d guess it’s a reading the play and getting to the right spot issue. Marner and Matthews play the game at a fast pace and know how to play off each other. Richie’s not there yet. Hopefully that changes.bb
- Canada Cup

If the bolded were true he’d be penalized for interference.

The opposition is most likely moving the puck quickly as he comes at them because they know that due to his size they won’t be able to hold onto the puck

I didn’t say they told him.

MJ suspects that they’ll move NR if he doesn’t get going soon. And others have said the same thing. No one said Keefe himself said it.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Then they’re just guessing because the media is too damn scared to blame the stars when it’s purely their fault.

Meh, I never thought Hyman was all that special, he simply looked better due to who he played with. His offence always seem to pretty much disappear when he was playing with others. Even Edmonton didn’t end up putting him on McDavid’s line which means he’s not quite as good as they were hoping.

Ritchie will be fine once the stars begin producing, it’s on those two, not him.
- Dozzer

Well there are many people who disagree with you about Hyman, too.

If his job was just to screen, they could have brought Joe back for less money. He needs to create lanes for the other two, help retrieve pucks, bang in rebounds and score off deflections. That means being in sync and part of the play. Again it’s early but it’s not there yet.
- Canada Cup

His line literally played together for the first time this year yesterday.

He’s got until Mikheyev is back at the minimum before they consider removing him.

Well there are many people who disagree with you about Hyman, too.
- fifty__missions

No production on the line he was on and his one goal this year came from being parked in front of the net and getting a pass from McDavid while they were on the PP

That’s it.

The guy is not worth 5+ million, glad the leafs let him go.