A thread speculating about possible lines? Already?!

[Kin]

Looking at the roster reminds me that the Leafs suck.

And now you know why I threw myself into the CBA discussion with such reckless abandon.

 

[Deebo]

To Nik's point, it's going to be an interesting league-wide scramble over the next couple of week. To be honest, we really shouldn't be doing this exercise right now though I know it's all in good fun.

I remember quite the flurry of activity after the lockout ended in 2005.

 

[maplesyrup]

Looking at the roster reminds me that the Leafs suck.

At forward, yeah, like I said it's pretty "meh." I do like (don't love but like) our D though.

 

[Kin]

At forward, yeah, like I said it's pretty "meh." I do like (don't love) but like our D though.

I don't know. Try coming up with a second pairing that doesn't kind of stink defensively. Liles-Komisarek? Liles-Gardiner?

 

[Deebo]

Looking at the roster reminds me that the Leafs suck.

And now you know why I threw myself into the CBA discussion with such reckless abandon.

I'm not sure what's worse the centres or the goaltending

 

[caver]

where is Komarov, he is one of the few Leafs who actually played competitive hockey.

As is I don't think he makes the team. With a typical camp, there'd be more room for guys like him to make the leap but with only a week or so I don't think he bumps any of the established NHL'ers the team has under contract. Maybe he beats out Frattin for his spot but that strikes me as unlikely.

Of course all of this is subject to player movement before the start of the season.

your last line is key. There is an urgent need for some player movement to create well defined lines, not just a first line with the 2, 3, 4 lines blurring into each other. McClement was signed to center the 3rd line. Steckel can center the 4th and Brown is 4th line material. Frattin fits on the 3rd line and can move up during an injury. I don't know what you do with Lombardi and Connolly if everyone else is healthy. And the 6 and 7 spots on D seem to be a crap shoot. The coaches better pay attention during the short camp!!

 

[maplesyrup]

At forward, yeah, like I said it's pretty "meh." I do like (don't love) but like our D though.

I don't know. Try coming up with a second pairing that doesn't kind of stink defensively. Liles-Komisarek? Liles-Gardiner?

I don't know... I'm glad it's not on me to figure out. There's a few pieces I really like. Maybe a Marlie surprises and shores things up a  bit. Either way, in my opinion, the D is (for a severe want of better word) the "strength" of this team.

 

[lamajama]

I imagine Liles will have some incentive to not suck due to buyout potential

 

[Frank E]

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

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.

 

[Kin]

I don't know... I'm glad it's not on me to figure out. There's a few pieces I really like. Maybe a Marlie surprises and shores things up a  bit. Either way, in my opinion, the D is (for a severe want of better word) the "strength" of this team.

For what it's worth, I disagree. I think the strength of the team, for lack of a better word that means "least weak", is the forwards. I know they're weak down the middle but I think it's actually a pretty good group of wingers plus Grabo.

 

[Kin]

I imagine Liles will have some incentive to not suck due to buyout potential

Isn't a buyout good? Like, the Leafs still pay him but he gets to double dip with whoever he signs with?

 

[maplesyrup]

I don't know... I'm glad it's not on me to figure out. There's a few pieces I really like. Maybe a Marlie surprises and shores things up a  bit. Either way, in my opinion, the D is (for a severe want of better word) the "strength" of this team.

For what it's worth, I disagree. I think the strength of the team, for lack of a better word that means "least weak", is the forwards. I know they're weak down the middle but I think it's actually a pretty good group of wingers plus Grabo.

That's fair even though I disagree. I don't hate the forwards but I just think that middle (no disrespect to Grabo) is laughable. 

 

[Redleaf]

I think Ranger is lying in the weeds waiting to take away a job, or replace someone like Franson, should he be trade fodder next week?? I also believe Komarov will be in this lineup; either out of the gate or soon afterwards.

 

[Kin]

I don't hate the forwards but I just think that middle (no disrespect to Grabo) is laughable.

Well, Bozak is laughable, sure. But Grabo's a good #2 and McClement's a good #4. If Steckel is #4 and McClement is #3 then they're alright at three of the four spots.

 

[maplesyrup]

I think Ranger is lying in the weeds waiting to take away a job, or replace someone like Franson, should he be trade fodder next week?? I also believe Komorov will be in this lineup; either out of the gate or soon afterwards.

As I hinted to, I'd look for Ranger or Kostka to earn a spot. Franson (unsigned) may be a gonner.

 

[maplesyrup]

I don't hate the forwards but I just think that middle (no disrespect to Grabo) is laughable.

Well, Bozak is laughable, sure. But Grabo's a good #2 and McClement's a good #4. If Steckel is #4 and McClement is #3 then they're alright at three of the four spots.

Stack 'em up 1-4/5 against the rest of the league though? It's ugly... and against some,  it's down-right embarrassing.

Edit: Not having a true #1 hurts - a lot. 

 

[Frank E]

Having not really thought about player transactions and lineups in a while, and after looking at the lineup, I too am reminded that this team kind of sucks. 

Would have been nice to get that Staal.

 

[Redleaf]

I think Ranger is lying in the weeds waiting to take away a job, or replace someone like Franson, should he be trade fodder next week?? I also believe Komorov will be in this lineup; either out of the gate or soon afterwards.

As I hinted to, I'd look for Ranger or Kostka to earn a spot. Franson (unsigned) may be a gonner.

I'm with you. Both look more than capable of securing NHL jobs with the Leafs. The only issue is the log jam it would create at Defence. That's why I see at least 1 or possible 2 D-men being moved out by mid week, as Burke looks to solidify roster spots in short order.

 

[maplesyrup]

OTOH, I wonder serious JVR has trained for the centre position.  :-\

 

[maplesyrup]

I'm with you. Both look more than capable of securing NHL jobs with the Leafs. The only issue is the log jam it would create at Defence. That's why I see at least 1 or possible 2 D-men being moved out by mid week, as Burke looks to solidify roster spots in short order.

Maybe 1... Who knows?