• For users coming over from tmlfans.ca your username will remain the same but you will need to use the password reset feature (check your spam folder) on the login page in order to set your password. If you encounter issues, email Rick couchmanrick@gmail.com

2019-2020 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

CarltonTheBear said:
Damn. Aberg's been crushing it for the Marlies though. 24 points in 22 games. Leads the team in scoring and is 7th in the league. Not sure where he fits in with the 3 big RWs in front of him, but hope he gets a chance.

He has traditionally played LW from what I recall (Lupul style, but less power).

Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner
Petan-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Engvall-Spezza-Aberg/Timashov

You can swap Hyman and Mikheyev easily enough. Or even Hyman/Petan if Keefe is feeling fun. Either way, with the new coach, the lines don't matter as much and will flex into situational builds as needed.
 
Spitballing some lines, I'd put Hyman back up with Matthews to start. If that line doesn't pick up where they left off pretty quickly then give Petan a shot there.

Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner
Petan-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Engvall-Spezza-Aberg
 
I was originally going to write that but then was like who would just add more scoring to a line with Matthews/Nylander...
 
https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1202993111179378688

Gauthier's filling in for Tavares, who took another personal day. Looks like Hyman's back on that 1B line though.
 
CarltonTheBear said:
https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1202993111179378688

Gauthier's filling in for Tavares, who took another personal day. Looks like Hyman's back on that 1B line though.

That minor heart attack when I saw the Goat on line 2
 
I'm just going to thrust my gut out there and say that I think Rielly's been hurt all season and Tavares is struggling because of his Inconvenient Baby and the finger thing.
 
I wouldn't mind seeing Engvall get a chance on Matthews' left wing during Johnsson's absence. I seams defensively sound, has some muscle to contend with top pairing D, and isn't shy about going to the net. I could see him doing well in that audition.
 
CarltonTheBear said:
Spitballing some lines, I'd put Hyman back up with Matthews to start. If that line doesn't pick up where they left off pretty quickly then give Petan a shot there. Aberg plays on a top line on the Marlies so you put him on a top line here. Don't put a scorer on the 4th line. I like the move.

Hyman-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner
Petan-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Engvall-Spezza-Aberg
I was going to say no no no until I saw the tweet. Hyman can't play with JT so don't put him with Matthews.
 
Guilt Trip said:
I was going to say no no no until I saw the tweet. Hyman can't play with JT so don't put him with Matthews.

Listen, I get that we have opposing viewpoints on Hyman, but the 10 games or whatever he played in November where his entire line was bad doesn't completely cancel out the 3 seasons of play that came before that.
 
CarltonTheBear said:
Guilt Trip said:
I was going to say no no no until I saw the tweet. Hyman can't play with JT so don't put him with Matthews.

Listen, I get that we have opposing viewpoints on Hyman, but the 10 games or whatever he played in November where his entire line was bad doesn't completely cancel out the 3 seasons of play that came before that.
The 3 previous seasons is why I don't want him with Matthews. If you check the GDT's out, I've actually been supportive of Hyman's play and given him the benefit of the doubt because of his injury. Still doesn't change my mind. His hands aren't good enough. I also don't think Johnsson belongs on that line and is one of the reasons it doesn't have consistent production. Anyway I always thought, if you call a top line guy up, put him on a top line here. Put him in a similar role.
 
Guilt Trip said:
Anyway I always thought, if you call a top line guy up, put him on a top line here. Put him in a similar role.

Hyman frequently played on the Marlies top line in his first season here ;)
 
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
I'm just going to thrust my gut out there and say that I think Rielly's been hurt all season and Tavares is struggling because of his Inconvenient Baby and the finger thing.

I think that Rielly's escaped a ton of criticism this season. Injury or not, I think he's been right up there with Marner as the biggest disappointments so far (and Marner last game was flying so let's hope we can argue about whether he's "arrived" soon).
 
CarltonTheBear said:
Guilt Trip said:
Anyway I always thought, if you call a top line guy up, put him on a top line here. Put him in a similar role.

Hyman frequently played on the Marlies top line in his first season here ;)
And if it doesn't work, you move him down the line up ;)
 
CarltonTheBear said:
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
I'm just going to thrust my gut out there and say that I think Rielly's been hurt all season and Tavares is struggling because of his Inconvenient Baby and the finger thing.

I think that Rielly's escaped a ton of criticism this season. Injury or not, I think he's been right up there with Marner as the biggest disappointments so far (and Marner last game was flying so let's hope we can argue about whether he's "arrived" soon).
He hasn't escaped it from me. Neither has Marner. We better hope both can turn it around. I have more faith in Marner doing it then Rielly tho. He just isn't very good defensively. I actually think he tries to do too much if that makes sense. He gets running around and out of position. I hope Keefe will simplify his game and that will help him.
 
Guilt Trip said:
CarltonTheBear said:
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
I'm just going to thrust my gut out there and say that I think Rielly's been hurt all season and Tavares is struggling because of his Inconvenient Baby and the finger thing.

I think that Rielly's escaped a ton of criticism this season. Injury or not, I think he's been right up there with Marner as the biggest disappointments so far (and Marner last game was flying so let's hope we can argue about whether he's "arrived" soon).
He hasn't escaped it from me. Neither has Marner. We better hope both can turn it around. I have more faith in Marner doing it then Rielly tho. He just isn't very good defensively. I actually think he tries to do too much if that makes sense. He gets running around and out of position. I hope Keefe will simplify his game and that will help him.

Rielly of course never was a shutdown guy, and I agree that his problems happen when he tries to do too much.  But he's been really off his defensive game this year.  I suspect something more is going on here.

Marner went through a terrible slump what, 2 seasons ago?  Before he got hurt he was in the doldrums like that again.  I hope he breaks out of it.

I still wish he had a better shot though.  He needs one to buy himself more options when he has the puck.
 

About Us

This website is NOT associated with the Toronto Maple Leafs or the NHL.


It is operated by Rick Couchman and Jeff Lewis.
Back
Top