Leafs @ Blue Jackets - Dec. 20th, 7:30pm - SN, TSN 1050

[CarltonTheBear]

Since I criticized him for it in the last game, props to Babcock for realizing that the JVR-Bozak-Marner line was the only one working tonight and playing them the most. The Leafs shot share with Marner on the ice at 5-on-5 was 29-7. That's dominant.

The Komarov-Kadri-Brown line played almost exactly the same amount as the 4th line last night, which also seemed fair. Those three combined have just a single point in the past 10 games, a goal by Brown. Their possession rates were fine last night but they really never seemed to look dangerous offensively at any point.

 

[bustaheims]

The Komarov-Kadri-Brown line played almost exactly the same amount as the 4th line last night, which also seemed fair. Those three combined have just a single point in the past 10 games, a goal by Brown.

I assume you mean ES point (or points when all 3 were on the ice), since, you know, Komarov scored a SH goal on Tuesday.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

The Komarov-Kadri-Brown line played almost exactly the same amount as the 4th line last night, which also seemed fair. Those three combined have just a single point in the past 10 games, a goal by Brown.

I assume you mean ES point (or points when all 3 were on the ice), since, you know, Komarov scored a SH goal on Tuesday.

Yup, my bad! 5-on-5. I had that in there but re-worded it and lost it. Kadri and Komarov have 0 5-on-5 points in the last 10 games, Brown has 1.

 

[bustaheims]

Yup, my bad! 5-on-5. I had that in there but re-worded it and lost it. Kadri and Komarov have 0 5-on-5 points in the last 10 games, Brown has 1.

Yeah. I think their line has been hurt the most by the combination of focusing on dump and chase and Matthews being out of the lineup/not being 100% healthy. not having Marleau on the wing has really caused the offence to dry up - neither Komarov nor Brown can really be counted on to generate much individually. That line - like most lines - needs a solid secondary piece on it to be effective, and it's not there right now.

 

[herman]

Yup, my bad! 5-on-5. I had that in there but re-worded it and lost it. Kadri and Komarov have 0 5-on-5 points in the last 10 games, Brown has 1.

Yeah. I think their line has been hurt the most by the combination of focusing on dump and chase and Matthews being out of the lineup/not being 100% healthy. not having Marleau on the wing has really caused the offence to dry up - neither Komarov nor Brown can really be counted on to generate much individually. That line - like most lines - needs a solid secondary piece on it to be effective, and it's not there right now.

Babcock did recognize that and swapped Marleau and Brown to try to spark Kadri?s line. What he should consider is Kapanen moving into the top 9 over Komarov, at least on OZ draws or OTF. And certainly onto PP2, where he?d be a third carrier and underscouted shooting threat.

 

[L K]

Yup, my bad! 5-on-5. I had that in there but re-worded it and lost it. Kadri and Komarov have 0 5-on-5 points in the last 10 games, Brown has 1.

Yeah. I think their line has been hurt the most by the combination of focusing on dump and chase and Matthews being out of the lineup/not being 100% healthy. not having Marleau on the wing has really caused the offence to dry up - neither Komarov nor Brown can really be counted on to generate much individually. That line - like most lines - needs a solid secondary piece on it to be effective, and it's not there right now.

Babcock did recognize that and swapped Marleau and Brown to try to spark Kadri?s line. What he should consider is Kapanen moving into the top 9 over Komarov, at least on OZ draws or OTF. And certainly onto PP2, where he?d be a third carrier and underscouted shooting threat.

Yeah, I would love to see Kapanen on the PP replacing Komarov.

 

[ZBBM]

Shut up about Marner's goal: we lost.

Well, I for one enjoy exceptional goals like that and savor them.  They are a big part of what makes it worth watching.

 

[ZBBM]

Yup, my bad! 5-on-5. I had that in there but re-worded it and lost it. Kadri and Komarov have 0 5-on-5 points in the last 10 games, Brown has 1.

Yeah. I think their line has been hurt the most by the combination of focusing on dump and chase and Matthews being out of the lineup/not being 100% healthy. not having Marleau on the wing has really caused the offence to dry up - neither Komarov nor Brown can really be counted on to generate much individually. That line - like most lines - needs a solid secondary piece on it to be effective, and it's not there right now.

Where do you think Brown fits in going forward?  I see him as a complimentary trade piece.  I have nothing really to back this up, but I think Kapanen can do the same things with more offensive potential.

 

[bustaheims]

Where do you think Brown fits in going forward?  I see him as a complimentary trade piece.  I have nothing really to back this up, but I think Kapanen can do the same things with more offensive potential.

I think he's a very good third piece on a very good 3rd line/pretty decent 2nd line. I don't think he has a long future with the team, though - his next contract will probably cost more than he provides. He's definitely the kind of piece you have to replace internally so you can turn him into future assets to build the pipeline.

 

[herman]

Where do you think Brown fits in going forward?  I see him as a complimentary trade piece.  I have nothing really to back this up, but I think Kapanen can do the same things with more offensive potential.

I think he's a very good third piece on a very good 3rd line/pretty decent 2nd line. I don't think he has a long future with the team, though - his next contract will probably cost more than he provides. He's definitely the kind of piece you have to replace internally so you can turn him into future assets to build the pipeline.

I think Hyman gets traded before Brown does (UFA vs RFA), but Hyman scores so infrequently you might get him to stay in the $3M range until he's 30ish. Cheap, dependable, contributing depth is what pushes your expensive talent into championship tier. If we win a Cup with them under contract, we could sell them off at elevated prices.

The Leafs have two teams worth of middle 6 utility wingers in a variety of flavours on the team and in the pipeline. Other than Hyman and Brown, there's still Soshnikov and Leivo (on the lower end of the NHL potential); Kapanen and Johnsson are pretty much ready to roll; Timashov, Moore, Grundstrom, Korshkov probably need a couple more seasons, but look serviceable at least; Bracco will need to demonstrate more dimensions to his game if he wants to make the jump but the dimension he's great at is tantalizing, albeit occupied by Nylander and Marner. What's great is many of them can play either wing and can complement a line either defensively or offensively at the Leafs' preferred pace.