Line-up changes

[Tigger]

One thing that seems apparent from the last couple games, Colborne's skating has really improved.

 

[Newbury]

I'd keep Colborne up for a few more games at least while Grabovski gets back, see how it goes. Personally, I hope they go with somethin' like this.

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
MacArthur-Grabovski-Kulemin
Colborne-Connolly-Frattin
Crabb-Steckel/Zigomanis-Rosehill

Perhaps switch Bozak and Connolly if Bozak slows down.

 

[cw]

Once Grabbo's fully back (maybe a game on the 4th line), my guess would be:
Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
MacArthur-Grabovski-Kulemin
Crabb-Connolly-Frattin
Dupuis-Zigomanis/Steckel-Rosehill

Crabb-Connolly have been the second pairing for the hot PK so along with his four goals and 1 assist in 12games, Crabb is going nowhere soon and he'll probably stick with Connolly.

I'm assuming Brown, Armstrong & Lombardi will not be back in the near future.

If it's anticipated to be only a game or two before Steckel returns, then Colborne might hang around instead of bringing up Zigomanis.

 

[caver]

I don't think we will see Connolly on the 3rd line.

 

[Deebo]

I don't think Colborne will play any wing.

 

[Joe S.]

So what happens to the lineup when Grabovski returns?

Connolly looks like a great fit on the 2nd line. The first line has produced quite well with Bozak. And even the 3rd line looks good with Colborne and Crabb.

I'd be inclined to pencil him in between Lupul and Kessel, but that leaves Bozak on the 3rd line with him or Colborne going on the wing. And while I like the idea of Colborne playing the season with the Marlies, if he's producing (as well as his line) it's hard to send him down.

I don't think you mess with the success that Bozak is having with Kessel and Lupul right now. What I'd be inclined to is move Frattin onto Connolly's wing with MacArthur and put Grabovski between Kulemin and Crabb. And, as well as Colborne has played, with the team's top 3 centres healthy, I send him down to get big minutes with the Marlies. I don't want him up on the big team just to get 4th line minutes, or to play a position he hasn't played professionally. I might be inclined to call up Kadri or Mueller and put them on Grabovski's wing instead of Crabb, though.

I like bozak, but, he is the hoglund of that line. Lupol is the straw stirring that drink.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Looks like Aulie...

HennyTweets Paul Hendrick
Kieth aulie sits out marlie game on the rock. An expected call up for tomorrow night's game in california.#coasttocoast

 

[bustaheims]

I like bozak, but, he is the hoglund of that line. Lupol is the straw stirring that drink.

Maybe, but, I feel like he's doing enough on he's at least having an influence on the success that line is having. At least, to the point where I wouldn't be in a hurry to break it up.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I like bozak, but, he is the hoglund of that line. Lupol is the straw stirring that drink.

Maybe, but, I feel like he's doing enough on he's at least having an influence on the success that line is having. At least, to the point where I wouldn't be in a hurry to break it up.

Even if he is the Hoglund of that line, why change it if it's working? Like Wilson said, Connolly can pretty much play with anybody and be successful. Will the first line be any better if Connolly replaced Bozak? I doubt it. Will the 3rd line be better with Bozak or with Connolly? I'd say Connolly pretty easily. So until the answer to that first question becomes a yes (and I figure that will happen eventually, but not right now), keep Bozak where he is.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Posted it in the GDT, but Holzer has been sent down and Aulie has been called up.

 

[Hockey_gal]

TSNScottyMac

Mikhail Grabovski activated from IR, according to official #Leafs roster. #NHLDucks #NHL

 

[maplesyrup]

TSNScottyMac

Mikhail Grabovski activated from IR, according to official #Leafs roster. #NHLDucks #NHL

Good news (and timing.)

 

[Fanatic]

I am not sure what Wilson is going to do with Grabo and Connolly, but Bozak belongs on the 1st line - moving him would be a very bad decision.

 

[maplesyrup]

I am not sure what Wilson is going to do with Grabo and Connolly, but Bozak belongs on the 1st line - moving him would be a very bad decision.

Connolly on that line is no worse in my opinion. 

 

[bustaheims]

I am not sure what Wilson is going to do with Grabo and Connolly, but Bozak belongs on the 1st line - moving him would be a very bad decision.

I posted this earlier, but, I think you keep Connolly with MacArthur - they really have something going right now. Maybe put Grabovski with Kulemin - they had good chemistry last season, and they might be able to get it back with some new blood on the other side. Stick Crabb and Frattin in there somewhere and go.

 

[bustaheims]

Connolly on that line is no worse in my opinion.

Maybe not, but, A) if it ain't broke, why fix it? And, B) Connolly and MacArthur have a good thing going - I'd keep them together and take advantage of having depth.

 

[maplesyrup]

Connolly on that line is no worse in my opinion.

Maybe not, but, A) if it ain't broke, why fix it? And, B) Connolly and MacArthur have a good thing going - I'd keep them together and take advantage of having depth.

Fair enough... Now, what of Grabo?

 

[bustaheims]

Fair enough... Now, what of Grabo?

He makes things difficult, but, like I suggested in an earlier post - pair him with Kulemin and Frattin or Crabb (whoever isn't riding shotgun with Connolly and MacArthur) and see how that works for a few games.

 

[Spider]

I am not sure what Wilson is going to do with Grabo and Connolly, but Bozak belongs on the 1st line - moving him would be a very bad decision.

I think what he does is put pair up players that work good together:

Lupul - Kessel (add Bozak)
McArthur - Connolly (add Frattin)
Grabovski - Kulemin (add Dupuis)
Colborne - Crabb (add Rosehill)

for now until Armstrong and Steckel are back, then you shift Frattin back with Grabovski and Kulemin and Steckel with Colborne and Crabb. 

Then there's Brown and Lombardi (oh my!).  What a good problem to have, when you have this kink of depth.

 

[bustaheims]

I think what he does is put pair up players that work good together:

Lupul - Kessel (add Bozak)
McArthur - Connolly (add Frattin)
Grabovski - Kulemin (add Dupuis)
Colborne - Crabb (add Rosehill)

for now until Armstrong and Steckel are back, then you shift Frattin back with Grabovski and Kulemin and Steckel with Colborne and Crabb. 

Then there's Brown and Lombardi (oh my!).  What a good problem to have, when you have this kink of depth.

Colborne will not be playing on the 4th line. When Steckel is ready to go, he'll be back with the Marlies.