yave1964 Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 Very crowded forward lines in Toronto have gotten more crowded in the past few days. NHL caliber players dot all four lines and they have too many to keep. Yesterday they added 4th line faceoff and penalty killing specialist Dominic Moore and today they added Patrick Marleau to join the crowded middle six wingers on the team. This brings them to: Auston Matthews William Nylander Mitch Marner Patrick Marleau James Van Reimsdyk Tyler Bozak Nazim Kadri Leo Komarov Connor Brown Zach Hyman Nikita Soshnikov Kasperi Kapanen Dominic Moore Frederick Gauthier Matt Martin Josh Leivo That is sixteen forwards to fill 12 spots. Locks are Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Marleau, JVR, Bozak, Kadri, Komarov, Brown, Hyman, Martin, Moore. That is lets see..... 12 That leaves Gauthier who plays the same type of game as Moore and IMHO should be furious as he felt he was ready to step in, Gauthier will likely be a Marlie for this year leaving Soshnikov, Kapanen and Leivo fighting for the 13th forward spot. It is possible, even probable that a veteran forward will be dealt, probably JVR for a top four defenseman. The signing of Moore as the 4C and Hainsey as a defensive zone specialist who specializes in penalty killing. these two will take a weakness from last season and make it a strength. But trading JVR for a top four d-man helps ease the financial burden of adding Marleau/Moore/Hainsey and slot one of the talented kids drooling for playing time to a middle six wing position. Anyway, it looks like a very nice problem for the Leafs to have to deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 Funny, I was just coming here to start a thread on the perceived forward influx in TO. We seem to think alike, imagine that? lol. The *real* shoe waiting to drop is the JVR sweepstakes. If Exlund (I know....ha ha) is to be believed, the Ducks, Devils, NYI and Knights all seem to be showing interest. Adding Moore was a sneaky smart move by Lou (if he is indeed the guy pulling the trigger and not Shanny in the background). I don't think Freddie Gautheir could EVER skate in the NHL, last years call up was just a reminder of that problem. Your 4th line and pk guy HAS to be able to cover a LOT of ice quickly. The Marleau add tells me the Leafs want to win RIGHT NOW. Yes, he's aging and all that, but nice jvr insurance in the top 6 and he can still skate, SO he can still keep up with Matthews and or Marner. He adds veteran smarts to the top pp, if JVR gets moved. What it does do is block kids like Leivo from coming up, BUT the Leafs want as MUCH playoff exposure for their young stars as possible, which is VERY smart. EDIT....I believe cream rises to the top. Kapanen has undeniable talent, and a guy like Komorov will not block his place in the line up. I believe either Matt Martin or Komorov will be moved to make room for the kid....and probably Hyman gets moved to the 4th line or right out of the line up, although coach seems to like him a LOT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 23 hours ago, yave1964 said: Very crowded forward lines in Toronto have gotten more crowded in the past few days. NHL caliber players dot all four lines and they have too many to keep. Yesterday they added 4th line faceoff and penalty killing specialist Dominic Moore and today they added Patrick Marleau to join the crowded middle six wingers on the team. This brings them to: Auston Matthews William Nylander Mitch Marner Patrick Marleau James Van Reimsdyk Tyler Bozak Nazim Kadri Leo Komarov Connor Brown Zach Hyman Nikita Soshnikov Kasperi Kapanen Dominic Moore Frederick Gauthier Matt Martin Josh Leivo That is sixteen forwards to fill 12 spots. Locks are Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Marleau, JVR, Bozak, Kadri, Komarov, Brown, Hyman, Martin, Moore. That is lets see..... 12 That leaves Gauthier who plays the same type of game as Moore and IMHO should be furious as he felt he was ready to step in, Gauthier will likely be a Marlie for this year leaving Soshnikov, Kapanen and Leivo fighting for the 13th forward spot. It is possible, even probable that a veteran forward will be dealt, probably JVR for a top four defenseman. The signing of Moore as the 4C and Hainsey as a defensive zone specialist who specializes in penalty killing. these two will take a weakness from last season and make it a strength. But trading JVR for a top four d-man helps ease the financial burden of adding Marleau/Moore/Hainsey and slot one of the talented kids drooling for playing time to a middle six wing position. Anyway, it looks like a very nice problem for the Leafs to have to deal with. Question, did the Leafs give Marleau a 3rd year (which seems crazy, he will be over 40) with an eye on the new labour agreement and another round of buy outs looming??? They secured his services knowing that they could potentially wiggle out from behind the rock with a new NHLPA deal.....very smart if so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 I tell you, the Leafs forward core looks STRONG. Marleau/Matthews/Kapanen Brown/Kadri/Nylander Komorov/Bozek/Soshnikov Martin/Moore/Hyman I believe JVR will be moved for a defensive piece, maybe Vatanen and picks etc...but the odds of him starting the year in TO are slim. Shea Theodore and picks for JVR?? He would legitimize the Knights top line and top pp.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 1 hour ago, jammer2 said: Shea Theodore and picks for JVR?? I wouldn't do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samifan Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 1 hour ago, jammer2 said: I tell you, the Leafs forward core looks STRONG. Marleau/Matthews/Kapanen Brown/Kadri/Nylander Komorov/Bozek/Soshnikov Martin/Moore/Hyman I believe JVR will be moved for a defensive piece, maybe Vatanen and picks etc...but the odds of him starting the year in TO are slim. Shea Theodore and picks for JVR?? He would legitimize the Knights top line and top pp.... Like seeing you put Son of Sami on the top line! #Kappy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 4 hours ago, Samifan said: Like seeing you put Son of Sami on the top line! #Kappy I don't know if it will happen right away, but like I said, cream rises to the top, the Leafs will figure out he's a natural there with Matthews. He needs strong skating wingers that can keep up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 4 hours ago, OccamsRazor said: I wouldn't do it. Not one for one, but I think Theodore is gonna be a star someday in the NHL. Young snipers don't grow on trees, but the Leafs need talented dmen badly. A top 4 eventually of Lilligren, Riley, Gardiner and Theodore would be a decent core. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted July 4, 2017 Author Share Posted July 4, 2017 I am a HUGE fan of Theodore, he may take his lumps with the expansion Knights but on the right team he has potential to be at the least top four if not top pairing. Anaheim floored me by making him available to keep the rugged Manson but I guess their logic was, if Theodore reaches his top shelf he would be Fowler, they already have Fowler locked up forever along with other skilled guys entering their peak years in Lindholm and Vatanen. Manson brings something different to the tea. I would not have done it but I admit the Ducks are one of those teams that have a clue about everything they do so I have a difficult time second guessing them. Still, if you have an extra forward entering the final year of his deal and you know you cannot sign him, why not trade JVR for that puck mover on the back end who might be there for a decade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 10 hours ago, jammer2 said: Theodore is gonna be a star someday in the NHL. Yeah it is why i wouldn't move him Knights need him. He is the youngest of the bunch and will be their #2 Dmen in a few years. Sure if it was a gross overpayment i would move him it would be for JVR though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJgoal Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 15 hours ago, jammer2 said: I tell you, the Leafs forward core looks STRONG. Marleau/Matthews/Kapanen Brown/Kadri/Nylander Komorov/Bozek/Soshnikov Martin/Moore/Hyman I believe JVR will be moved for a defensive piece, maybe Vatanen and picks etc...but the odds of him starting the year in TO are slim. Shea Theodore and picks for JVR?? He would legitimize the Knights top line and top pp.... Um, Where's Marner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 7 hours ago, yave1964 said: I am a HUGE fan of Theodore, he may take his lumps with the expansion Knights but on the right team he has potential to be at the least top four if not top pairing. Anaheim floored me by making him available to keep the rugged Manson but I guess their logic was, if Theodore reaches his top shelf he would be Fowler, they already have Fowler locked up forever along with other skilled guys entering their peak years in Lindholm and Vatanen. Manson brings something different to the tea. I would not have done it but I admit the Ducks are one of those teams that have a clue about everything they do so I have a difficult time second guessing them. Still, if you have an extra forward entering the final year of his deal and you know you cannot sign him, why not trade JVR for that puck mover on the back end who might be there for a decade? I am really questioning the decision making process of the Ducks when it came to this expansion draft. There is NO WAY a talent like Theodore should have been exposed. When you calculate his youth and potential, it was CRAZY to leave him unprotected. I realize they had some tough calls to make.....but geez. I also think they really overvalue Fowler. To me, Theodore, Vatanen, Lindholm over Fowler....no questions asked. I like Josh Manson, hit's a ton, but only limited offense, just an ok skater, to protect Josh over Theodore should get a GM fired IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 4 hours ago, AJgoal said: Um, Where's Marner? Holy crap on a cracker, felt like I was missing somebody!! If JVR was to stay.....WOW!! Marleau/Matthews/Nylander JVR/Kadri/Marner Brown/Bozek/Kapanen Martin/Moore/Komorov TONS of forward depth there. If everything works out the way I see it going...the Flyers, Blue Jackets and Leafs and Bolts will be fighting it out LARGE over the next decade. Throw in the SC Champ Pens and the Caps, you can see how it will be VERY tough to make the playoffs in a few years in the East Conf. That is leaving out Leivo, who I think is pretty good, Soshnikov, and a few other kids. The Leafs are now in a spot where they can trade a top 9 forward for a top 4ish dman....they REALLY messed up with their 2nd and 3rd rounders I believe. Michael DiPeitro, the Spits goalie would have been a PERFECT 3rd round pick for the Leafs....instead they take two questionable skaters on defense with those picks. Hunter is a mastermind, but he might have messed up there. Also, Jeremy Bracco, a Spits Memorial Cup champ will make a push to stay in TO also, skating is weak, but the vision is so strong, it might be overcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edanl Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 In my opinion, Toronto has an amazing Forward line with amazing and talented players which will give Babcock a lot of combination that he can assemble. I think that the addition of Marleau and Moore will make the offense of Toronto to a very dangerous one and one of the best offenses in the league. I think that there is a lot of great combination that Babcock can make which will do a lot of troubles to the opponents. I agree that there is the forward line is crowded and we have a problem in the defensive zone and we need a good 4 line defenseman. I also agree that every way you look at it, we will need to trade one of our forward for a defenseman. But in my opinion, we should trade Leo Komarov or Josh Leivo and not JVR. In my opinion, JVR is very important part of the core of talented players that led the Leafs last year. I want to see JVR in Leafs uniform for the future because he is a very important part of the team and I don't think that we should trade him. But we need to get another good 4 defensemen that will help the team because it was the acillas heel of the team last year. If we will get the 4 line defenseman it will be great for the team and I know that we will need to trade one of our forwards in order to get one. I just hope that they price won't be one of our top talented rookies and our assets as we still in the rebuilding process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted July 19, 2017 Share Posted July 19, 2017 On 7/15/2017 at 11:03 AM, Edanl said: In my opinion, Toronto has an amazing Forward line with amazing and talented players which will give Babcock a lot of combination that he can assemble. I think that the addition of Marleau and Moore will make the offense of Toronto to a very dangerous one and one of the best offenses in the league. I think that there is a lot of great combination that Babcock can make which will do a lot of troubles to the opponents. I agree that there is the forward line is crowded and we have a problem in the defensive zone and we need a good 4 line defenseman. I also agree that every way you look at it, we will need to trade one of our forward for a defenseman. But in my opinion, we should trade Leo Komarov or Josh Leivo and not JVR. In my opinion, JVR is very important part of the core of talented players that led the Leafs last year. I want to see JVR in Leafs uniform for the future because he is a very important part of the team and I don't think that we should trade him. But we need to get another good 4 defensemen that will help the team because it was the acillas heel of the team last year. If we will get the 4 line defenseman it will be great for the team and I know that we will need to trade one of our forwards in order to get one. I just hope that they price won't be one of our top talented rookies and our assets as we still in the rebuilding process. I'm not sure, but perhaps Toronto acquired the services of Marleau, in part, to make up for JVR being moved for a top 4 d-man. Maybe, just a theory. Anyways, the moves that will be made in the next couple of weeks to get out from under the cap crunch will be part of the real cost of signing Marleau. GM's are rarely nice when they know you are dealing from a position of weakness like the Leafs are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluPuk Posted July 19, 2017 Share Posted July 19, 2017 Moves will be made..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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