2023-24 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[herman]

I think it makes about as much sense as it can until Jarnkrok changes things up again.

Tavares-Marner has worked well in the past with a heavy forechecker on LW, and having McMann as an F1 and a secondary shooting option does give Marner a lot of play with.

Obviously, if Marner could drive an overmatch L3, Nylander will also have no problem doing that, and may be even better for him in offensively sheltered deployment. The line's playstyle matches Nylander's direct to the net play a bit better than Marner's penchant for meandering, and there aren't as many heavy shots on L3 if Marner was there.

 

[herman]

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2024/04/05/auston-matthews-mitch-marner-toronto-maple-leafs-playoffs/
I didn't read this until just now.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Obviously, if Marner could drive an overmatch L3, Nylander will also have no problem doing that, and may be even better for him in offensively sheltered deployment. The line's playstyle matches Nylander's direct to the net play a bit better than Marner's penchant for meandering, and there aren't as many heavy shots on L3 if Marner was there.

Marner makes a lot more sense on L2 since that line will likely need to step up a lot more defensively with the top line as constructed not really being able to. Wouldn't shock me if Jarnkrok ends up at the 2LW spot for mostly the same reason, although where he plays is anybody's guess right now.

 

[louisstamos]

I would probably go with something like this when Jarnkrok comes back

Bertuzzi - Matthews - Jarnkrok
McMann - Tavares - Nylander
Knies - Domi - Marner
Holmberg/Dewar - Kampf - Reaves

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I would probably go with something like this when Jarnkrok comes back

Bertuzzi - Matthews - Jarnkrok
McMann - Tavares - Nylander
Knies - Domi - Marner
Holmberg/Dewar - Kampf - Reaves

I'd swap Willy and Marner here but this would ultimately be my preference too. I just don't see them playing Domi not at C for the last almost quarter of the season and then throwing him back there for game 1 of playoffs. So it feels very unlikely to happen.

 

[ZBBM]

Finally.  I think those lines are just about perfect.  Domi just needs to shoot more when they overload on Matthews.  When Jarnkr?k comes back, put Nylander in at 3C and rotate Knies/Holmberg in/out as play warrants.

 

[herman]

https://x.com/PR_NHL/status/1776325186913964451

 

[cabber24]

Maple Leafs projected lines Saturday in Montreal:

Bertuzzi ? Matthews ? Domi

McMann ? Tavares ? Marner

Knies ? Holmberg ? Nylander

Dewar ? K?mpf ? Reaves

 

[cabber24]

Maple Leafs projected lines Saturday in Montreal:

Bertuzzi ? Matthews ? Domi

McMann ? Tavares ? Marner

Knies ? Holmberg ? Nylander

Dewar ? K?mpf ? Reaves

Not sure about this combo. They were humming when:

Knies - Matthews - Marner
Bertuzzi - Domi - Nylander
McMann - Tavares - Robertson

That 3rd line proposed for Saturday? Have any of those guys played together? Anyway, happy to see the core 4 across 3 lines.

 

[herman]

https://x.com/nhl/status/1776424825625383397
Sweet

 

[Guilt Trip]

Maple Leafs projected lines Saturday in Montreal:

Bertuzzi ? Matthews ? Domi

McMann ? Tavares ? Marner

Knies ? Holmberg ? Nylander

Dewar ? K?mpf ? Reaves

Not sure about this combo. They were humming when:

Knies - Matthews - Marner
Bertuzzi - Domi - Nylander
McMann - Tavares - Robertson

That 3rd line proposed for Saturday? Have any of those guys played together? Anyway, happy to see the core 4 across 3 lines.

Yes. Knies played with Nylander for 200 mins 5v5 and Holmberg played with Nylander for 51 mins 5v5. They've also played on the PK together....and love the combos. Nylander should get some great matchups.

 

[ZBBM]

https://twitter.com/nhl/status/1776424825625383397
Sweet

Through the Tradesman's Entrance.

 

[Zee]

YES!!! WE'RE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[herman]

So apparently we still have Greg Harden on retainer. I thought we dropped him after one season since he wasn?t on the management team page anymore.

But he has been named one of the keys to Ryan Reaves? turnaround.

https://theathletic.com/5394431/2024/04/05/maple-leafs-ryan-reaves-playoffs

He also picked up some skating tips from Dr. wickenheiser and Nil Antropov so he could stay in the mix on the puck and actually put his skills into practice.

 

[herman]

https://x.com/snstats/status/1776989584267546817
That 2016-17 L2 hitting like a truck

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1777356970883715384

Keefe also gave an update on Liljegren and Jarnkrok yesterday saying that if they return before playoffs begin it likely won't be until the final 2 games of the season.

The team is very short on cap space right now as they technically have a 26-man roster. There isn't enough space to activate Jarnkrok from LTIR before playoffs begin without sending a couple guys down. So if they do want to give Jarnkrok a regular season game or two don't be surprised if Robertson and Knies both get sent down to the Marlies (temporarily/just on paper of course) to make that happen.

 

[herman]

https://x.com/domluszczyszyn/status/1778201662206906725

 

[herman]

https://x.com/APetrielli/status/1778413789815226505
This is probably the only Leafs podcast I listen to for analysis. I keep the Leaf Report for their dressing room access.

 

[Frank E]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-max-domi-absent-from-friday-morning-practice/

I'd bet he injured his punching hand beating the hell out of Nemec.

 

[Frank E]

Tre gave Kampf a 10 team NTC along with $2.4 x 4.