A thread speculating about possible lines? Already?!

[dappleganger]

BTW, I am not as down on Bozak as many are.  I think he's a good 3C center on middling-and-below teams.  It's just that there doesn't seem to be a fit on this particular roster for him, even at 3C.

Connolly taking up space makes me ill.  What a dogbutt signing that was.

I've wondered if Carlyle implemented a defensive system, where players don't always score...would Connolly look as bad.  Under Wilson, it seemed like the only way they'd succeed is to out-score the opposition every game.  Still, it was a gamble that didn't pay off.  Maybe Burke thought he'd be a good stop-gap measure.  Any free-agents come up when Connolly's contract expires?

Getzlaf. I'd assume that's Burke's prize.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

We cannot have Mr. Tyler Bozak as the #1C on your Toronto Maple Leafs.

We cannot have Mr. Tyler Bozak as the #1C on your Toronto Maple Leafs.

We cannot have Mr. Tyler Bozak as the #1C on your Toronto Maple Leafs.

Are we agreed on that much, at least?

And your alternative is? Our top line was arguably the best part of the team last season, and while Bozak wasn't the biggest factor in that he was a factor nonetheless.

When we sign Getzlaf I'll be happy to pack Bozak's bags, but until then he's the best option.

 

[ZBBM]

BTW, I am not as down on Bozak as many are.  I think he's a good 3C center on middling-and-below teams.  It's just that there doesn't seem to be a fit on this particular roster for him, even at 3C.

Connolly taking up space makes me ill.  What a dogbutt signing that was.

I don't understand the hate for Connolly and never will. We tried him out for one year with very few better options out there and his salary is gone in less than 6months. His signing had next to no negative impact unless you want to go down the road of what ifs, which could lead to any conclusion you want it to.

I can understand Komisarek but a guy on a relatively cheap 2yr deal? Jeez. People go on about this contract as if it were Jason Blake's.

Except that it wasn't relatively cheap, and it was entirely predictable that he would be hurt half the time.

 

[ZBBM]

We cannot have Mr. Tyler Bozak as the #1C on your Toronto Maple Leafs.

We cannot have Mr. Tyler Bozak as the #1C on your Toronto Maple Leafs.

We cannot have Mr. Tyler Bozak as the #1C on your Toronto Maple Leafs.

Are we agreed on that much, at least?

And your alternative is? Our top line was arguably the best part of the team last season, and while Bozak wasn't the biggest factor in that he was a factor nonetheless.

When we sign Getzlaf I'll be happy to pack Bozak's bags, but until then he's the best option.

I'd put Grabovski there before Bozak, or even JVR.  And as I said, I am fine with Bozak further down the lineup.  The best that can be said of Bozak and last year's top line is that he didn't get in the way of the Lupul/Kessel chemistry.  I don't think he added anything to it, though.

 

[Britishbulldog]

This is my best guess for now

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
Kulemin-Grabo-Mac
JVR-Connolly-Frattin
Steckel-McClement-Brown
Lombardi

Phanoops-Gunnar
Liles-Holzer
Gardiner-Komi
Franson

Reimer
Someone who isn't already on the team

Yeah, I think your line up is pretty much on with what can be done with today's roster.  The wildcards for me are Kadri, Komarov, Colborne and Ashton at forward and Kostka, Ranger and hopefully Fraser (to help with the toughness against most of the Eastern teams).

...and yes, I like the nickname.  I hope it sticks.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

it was entirely predictable that he would be hurt half the time.

But he played 70 games...

 

[Bullfrog]

I'd put Grabovski there before Bozak, or even JVR.  And as I said, I am fine with Bozak further down the lineup.  The best that can be said of Bozak and last year's top line is that he didn't get in the way of the Lupul/Kessel chemistry.  I don't think he added anything to it, though.

I have to agree with Nik, though. There really hasn't been any demonstrable chemistry between Grabovski and Kessel.

 

[Bullfrog]

how many of the leafs were playing over in europe.  I'm counting only grabbo, kulemin and briefly lupul.  That doesn't bode well for the leafs for players in game shape coming in.  I don't think they leafs will do well out of the gate because of these conditioning issues.

plus Franson, Gunnarsson and you may also add Komarov and potentially Frattin, Gardiner, Scrivens, Kadri and Holzer or Ranger with the Marlies.

And MacArthur.

 

[bustaheims]

it was entirely predictable that he would be hurt half the time.

But he played 70 games...

Pfft. Facts. That's like bringing up the fact he played at least 68 games in both of the previous seasons.

 

[bustaheims]

how many of the leafs were playing over in europe.  I'm counting only grabbo, kulemin and briefly lupul.  That doesn't bode well for the leafs for players in game shape coming in.  I don't think they leafs will do well out of the gate because of these conditioning issues.

The Leafs didn't have that many less players playing in other leagues than the majority of teams in the league. In fact, considering the fact the also had a handful of guys in the AHL where older teams wouldn't, they're probably ahead of the game.

 

[Omallley]

Yep, that's how I see things right now...I think a goalie is coming to town.

It will be interesting to see how some of these guys come into camp... I figure with such a short season, there really isn't a lot of time to get into game shape if one hasn't been working out or at least skating daily.

That's what I've been thinking about lately. Guys like Kulemin and Grabovski who've been playing in the KHL at a high level (both are 3rd on their team in scoring with some decent offensive numbers at a glance) should have a leg up on a lot of other guys.

 

[TML fan]

Are Kulemin and Grabovski coming back for sure?

 

[maplesyrup]

Getzlaf. I'd assume that's Burke's prize.

Possibly. Though I see Benn is still a RFA. I wonder what that would take.

 

[Redleaf]

Are Kulemin and Grabovski coming back for sure?

Are Malkin and Ovechkin?

 

[Tigger]

I guess I'll bite...

Lupul Bozak Kessel
Jimmy Grabbo Kulemin
Mac Connolly Frattin
Steckel McClement Komarov
Lombardi Brown

Gunnar Phaneuf
Gardiner Komi
Liles Holzer
Franson

Reimer
Scrivens

Player movement could really benefit the crunch there as Kadri seems like he should get his shot this year.

Komarov is an absolute guess but I'd like to see what he can do and I think he'll get his shot, the brass went out of their way to make sure he could come back.

If McClement secures the 3C then Connolly goes to relegation on the wing with Steckel, but that's fine too, a 4th line that could do more than bang and win faceoffs would be ok with me.

 

[AvroArrow]

Lupul Bozak Kessel
Jimmy Grabbo Kulemin
Mac Connolly Frattin
Steckel McClement Komarov
Lombardi Brown

Gunnar Phaneuf
Gardiner Komi
Liles Holzer
Franson

Reimer
Scrivens

Pretty much how I see it.  I'm thinking we might see Mac moved to make space for Kadri, though... Unless one of Mac/Kadri/Frattin are put on the 4th line in place of Komarov.

 

[Corn Flake]

And your alternative is? Our top line was arguably the best part of the team last season, and while Bozak wasn't the biggest factor in that he was a factor nonetheless.

When we sign Getzlaf I'll be happy to pack Bozak's bags, but until then he's the best option.

Not that he's a 1st line centre but I'm fine with the guy who centred the two wingers who both had PPG seasons. For now.

Given the short season, I think throwing out there what has worked well in the past as a starting point is a good way to go. Don't mess with what has generally done well.  So those top two lines should probably stay intact and the 3rd line is where some mixing & matching can happen.

 

[Corn Flake]

Some roster thoughts (combos feel too soon)

1. I think Frattin beats out the other kids for probably the lone promotion, this year.

2. I don't think Franson is going to come back this year. Can't see him being convinced to sign and come back likely to play as the 7th. I think he's traded at some point between now and next Sept.

3. Gardiner likely doesn't start the season due to the concussion like concussion symptoms he is feeling.  Probably Holzer steps in as the #6 and Frasor the #7. 

4. Could see the JVR at centre experiment lasting 1-2 games on the top line and settling back in with Bozak up there and JVR moving to the 3rd line.

5. Really hoping Kulemin comes back and is on fire after playing with Malkin. he has apparently been very very good over there. 

6. I think the top two lines remain intact as they have been, with the potential for JVR to steal Mac's spot if they run cold. There should be a push to get him top six minutes anyway and he won't get that on the 3rd line.

7. Komarov will have to beat out Mike Brown for a 4th line job. I honestly don't think it will happen - not until Brown gets his semi-annual injury, at least.

8. Assume Connolly is hurt in camp and doesn't play. if he does, 3rd line centre. if he does not, Steckel/McClement take his job or Colborne comes up if he's still deserving.  Probably the former though.

9. Komi won't be bought out.  At least, not until the summer.  I think Carlyle will give him a chance and he looked ok late last year.. at least he looked better, other than being a stupid penalty machine at times.

10. Jokes aside on the Luongo imminent deal, I have a feeling it may not happen until the summer just given the chaos that will be the next 2 weeks.  Now that I've said that.... wait for it.....

[edit] 11. I think Rielly and Broll could both make the team.  Rielly in the absence of Gardiner and Broll because the guy is a monster and could "Brolldoze" his way through camp and into the hearts of Burke and Carlyle. I do think given the compact schedule which will feature lots of Northeast opponents, you need as much useful toughness as you can get.  This team can't get beat up by Boston anymore and heck, even Ottawa is pretty rough and tumble these days.

 

[Tigger]

I'm thinking we might see Mac moved to make space for Kadri, though... Unless one of Mac/Kadri/Frattin are put on the 4th line in place of Komarov.

I suppose a lot could happen, tradewise, but how the landscape might change is really a guess. I'd like to see what Kadri could bring but I'm not sure about a 4th line spot, unless it's just settling out the chaff or whatnot, it's difficult to say.

To CF's point about Komarov, that he'll have to beat out Brown... I think that's true but to the extent that he'll have to play some games to know and I think he'll get a handful to that end, I don't think it'll be a 'camp' decision, fwiw.

 

[bustaheims]

IgorEronko: Leo Komarov is heading back to Toronto to be in #MapleLeafs camp. Scored 10P (2+8)  in 13G for #Dynamo playing with Ovechkin and Backstrom