Opening Forward Lines

[Kin]

Considering the fact that next years draft could potentially be one of the best in quite a while, I wouldn't have a problem with another disappointing season. (Providing its another VERY disappointing one).

Considering what's at the top of this year's draft I don't think anyone would object to that in theory, the problem is that there's really no evidence that the team is aiming that way. They're not realistically a bottom feeder any more than they are a real contender.

 

[Highlander]

Its against every fibre in Shanaplan's body to tank, won't happen on his watch.  Not on purpose anyway.

 

[Frank E]

Jonas Siegel‏@jonasTSN1050?7 mins7 minutes ago

Potential Leafs lineup taking shape at practice: JVR-Bozak-Kessel. Lupul-Kadri-Leivo. Komarov-Holland-Nylander. Winnik-Santorelli-Kozun.

Jonas Siegel‏@jonasTSN1050?7 mins7 minutes ago

Matt Frattin notably not amongst first four forward lines. Clarkson participating in practice but given injury seems unlikely for Friday.

Discuss...

 

[louisstamos]

I like the look of that lineup.  I'm assuming Clarkson will take Nylander's spot once he's ready to play, (and Booth for Leivo) but that'll get the youngsters some quality NHL games in the meantime.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Frattin's had a pretty bad camp, so it's not that surprising. Noteworthy obviously that Orr/McLaren aren't in the line-up. I know there's been a lot of angst about them still being here, but McLaren is still very likely to be sent down and even if Orr makes the team he'll be in the press box more often than not.

A little surprised that they have Holland over Santorelli in the line-up, but I'm not really complaining. I think it makes the bottom-6 a little more even which should help the 4th line get some minutes.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Frattin's had a pretty bad camp, so it's not that surprising. Noteworthy obviously that Orr/McLaren aren't in the line-up. I know there's been a lot of angst about them still being here, but McLaren is still very likely to be sent down and even if Orr makes the team he'll be in the press box more often than not.

A little surprised that they have Holland over Santorelli in the line-up, but I'm not really complaining. I think it makes the bottom-6 a little more even which should help the 4th line get some minutes.

I'd love to be angsty for no reason over Orr, but there have been better options the entire time Randy has been coach/Nonis has been GM and Orr has still been into 75% of the team's games the last 2 seasons.

So until I see them make a concerted effort to go in another direction...keeping both here this long doesn't strike me as them seeing the light yet.

 

[L K]

Considering the fact that next years draft could potentially be one of the best in quite a while, I wouldn't have a problem with another disappointing season. (Providing its another VERY disappointing one).

Considering what's at the top of this year's draft I don't think anyone would object to that in theory, the problem is that there's really no evidence that the team is aiming that way. They're not realistically a bottom feeder any more than they are a real contender.

I think it's too early to say just how good of a draft this might be.  The top 2 players are obviously fantastic prospects but I really want to see who sinks/swims over at least a portion of the year before being excited about the concept of the Leafs finishing 5-12th in the draft lottery.

I don't mind those lines at all to be honest.  I think Kozun's likely going to flame out to be honest but he's a place-holder given the injuries to Booth and Clarkson.  I like Leivo and I'm glad he's getting a chance in the top 6 to try and produce.

Frattin doesn't deserve a roster spot right now, let alone a spot in the lineup.  I still think that trading D'Amigo for Frattin was a mistake.  He's just not shown the ability to be a useful hockey player outside of a few small stretches.  D'Amigo isn't a devastating loss, but he's one of those decent 4th liners who can kill penalties, plays hard and won't complain if he's the 13th forward.  Not a long-term loss to gripe about, but I think he's a better player than Frattin.

 

[freer]

Considering the fact that next years draft could potentially be one of the best in quite a while, I wouldn't have a problem with another disappointing season. (Providing its another VERY disappointing one).

Considering what's at the top of this year's draft I don't think anyone would object to that in theory, the problem is that there's really no evidence that the team is aiming that way. They're not realistically a bottom feeder any more than they are a real contender.

I think it's too early to say just how good of a draft this might be.  The top 2 players are obviously fantastic prospects but I really want to see who sinks/swims over at least a portion of the year before being excited about the concept of the Leafs finishing 5-12th in the draft lottery.

I don't mind those lines at all to be honest.  I think Kozun's likely going to flame out to be honest but he's a place-holder given the injuries to Booth and Clarkson.  I like Leivo and I'm glad he's getting a chance in the top 6 to try and produce.

Frattin doesn't deserve a roster spot right now, let alone a spot in the lineup.  I still think that trading D'Amigo for Frattin was a mistake.  He's just not shown the ability to be a useful hockey player outside of a few small stretches.  D'Amigo isn't a devastating loss, but he's one of those decent 4th liners who can kill penalties, plays hard and won't complain if he's the 13th forward.  Not a long-term loss to gripe about, but I think he's a better player than Frattin.

I hope your wrong about Kosun, I would like to see him up for a while.

 

[Crucialness Key]

I like the look of that lineup.  I'm assuming Clarkson will take Nylander's spot once he's ready to play, (and Booth for Leivo Kozun) but that'll get the youngsters some quality NHL games in the meantime.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Frattin's had a pretty bad camp, so it's not that surprising. Noteworthy obviously that Orr/McLaren aren't in the line-up. I know there's been a lot of angst about them still being here, but McLaren is still very likely to be sent down and even if Orr makes the team he'll be in the press box more often than not.

A little surprised that they have Holland over Santorelli in the line-up, but I'm not really complaining. I think it makes the bottom-6 a little more even which should help the 4th line get some minutes.

I'd love to be angsty for no reason over Orr, but there have been better options the entire time Randy has been coach/Nonis has been GM and Orr has still been into 75% of the team's games the last 2 seasons.

Ugh.  This from Maple Leafs Hot Stove regarding the news that Ashton is being shopped:

Ostensibly, this is because they are keeping Colton Orr and/or Fraser McLaren on the roster.

This closely mirrors what happened last season, whereby Joe Colborne had a lacklustre camp and he was sent to Calgary for a 4th round pick. The 6?6, 225lbs centerman put up 28 pts in his first full NHL season. The Leafs had their extremely thin center group exposed all season ?perhaps the weakest in the East. Colton Orr had 0 points, and barely fought. Fraser McLaren had 0 pts.

 

[Corn Flake]

Jonas Siegel‏@jonasTSN1050?7 mins7 minutes ago

Potential Leafs lineup taking shape at practice: JVR-Bozak-Kessel. Lupul-Kadri-Leivo. Komarov-Holland-Nylander. Winnik-Santorelli-Kozun.

Jonas Siegel‏@jonasTSN1050?7 mins7 minutes ago

Matt Frattin notably not amongst first four forward lines. Clarkson participating in practice but given injury seems unlikely for Friday.

Discuss...

That 2nd line could be horrifying defensively.

 

[Highlander]

Ya but if they can score 3 to 4 a game!! 

Sorry to see that Matty "The Lawnmower Man" Frattin has not played up to his capabilities, I like Matt and wish he could regain his form.  He started so well 2 years ago and then the knee injury. Why did the wheels fall off?

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Jonas Siegel‏@jonasTSN1050?7 mins7 minutes ago

Potential Leafs lineup taking shape at practice: JVR-Bozak-Kessel. Lupul-Kadri-Leivo. Komarov-Holland-Nylander. Winnik-Santorelli-Kozun.

Jonas Siegel‏@jonasTSN1050?7 mins7 minutes ago

Matt Frattin notably not amongst first four forward lines. Clarkson participating in practice but given injury seems unlikely for Friday.

Discuss...

That 2nd line could be horrifying defensively.

Lupul's probably the worst defensive forward on the team.  Hopefully he lights it up offensively.

 

[Joe S.]

Frattin's had a pretty bad camp, so it's not that surprising. Noteworthy obviously that Orr/McLaren aren't in the line-up. I know there's been a lot of angst about them still being here, but McLaren is still very likely to be sent down and even if Orr makes the team he'll be in the press box more often than not.

A little surprised that they have Holland over Santorelli in the line-up, but I'm not really complaining. I think it makes the bottom-6 a little more even which should help the 4th line get some minutes.

I'd love to be angsty for no reason over Orr, but there have been better options the entire time Randy has been coach/Nonis has been GM and Orr has still been into 75% of the team's games the last 2 seasons.

Ugh.  This from Maple Leafs Hot Stove regarding the news that Ashton is being shopped:

Ostensibly, this is because they are keeping Colton Orr and/or Fraser McLaren on the roster.

This closely mirrors what happened last season, whereby Joe Colborne had a lacklustre camp and he was sent to Calgary for a 4th round pick. The 6?6, 225lbs centerman put up 28 pts in his first full NHL season. The Leafs had their extremely thin center group exposed all season ?perhaps the weakest in the East. Colton Orr had 0 points, and barely fought. Fraser McLaren had 0 pts.

Forget last season - Orr and McLaren have 35 CAREER points between them. in almost 600 NHL games.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

I wonder what Colborne and Ashton could have done as 2/3 of a 4th line...

 

[Coco-puffs]

I wonder what Colborne and Ashton could have done as 2/3 of a 4th line...

Probably a whole lot less offensively and defensively than a 4th line of Kozun - Santorelli - Winnik will provide.

 

[pmrules]

Frattin's had a pretty bad camp, so it's not that surprising. Noteworthy obviously that Orr/McLaren aren't in the line-up. I know there's been a lot of angst about them still being here, but McLaren is still very likely to be sent down and even if Orr makes the team he'll be in the press box more often than not.

A little surprised that they have Holland over Santorelli in the line-up, but I'm not really complaining. I think it makes the bottom-6 a little more even which should help the 4th line get some minutes.

I'd love to be angsty for no reason over Orr, but there have been better options the entire time Randy has been coach/Nonis has been GM and Orr has still been into 75% of the team's games the last 2 seasons.

Ugh.  This from Maple Leafs Hot Stove regarding the news that Ashton is being shopped:

Ostensibly, this is because they are keeping Colton Orr and/or Fraser McLaren on the roster.

This closely mirrors what happened last season, whereby Joe Colborne had a lacklustre camp and he was sent to Calgary for a 4th round pick. The 6?6, 225lbs centerman put up 28 pts in his first full NHL season. The Leafs had their extremely thin center group exposed all season ?perhaps the weakest in the East. Colton Orr had 0 points, and barely fought. Fraser McLaren had 0 pts.

While true...that is a little revisionist.  There was a spot on the roster for Colborne last year despite having Orr/McClaren in the lineup.  He lost it...ironically...to Ashton.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Frattin's had a pretty bad camp, so it's not that surprising. Noteworthy obviously that Orr/McLaren aren't in the line-up. I know there's been a lot of angst about them still being here, but McLaren is still very likely to be sent down and even if Orr makes the team he'll be in the press box more often than not.

A little surprised that they have Holland over Santorelli in the line-up, but I'm not really complaining. I think it makes the bottom-6 a little more even which should help the 4th line get some minutes.

I'd love to be angsty for no reason over Orr, but there have been better options the entire time Randy has been coach/Nonis has been GM and Orr has still been into 75% of the team's games the last 2 seasons.

Ugh.  This from Maple Leafs Hot Stove regarding the news that Ashton is being shopped:

Ostensibly, this is because they are keeping Colton Orr and/or Fraser McLaren on the roster.

This closely mirrors what happened last season, whereby Joe Colborne had a lacklustre camp and he was sent to Calgary for a 4th round pick. The 6?6, 225lbs centerman put up 28 pts in his first full NHL season. The Leafs had their extremely thin center group exposed all season ?perhaps the weakest in the East. Colton Orr had 0 points, and barely fought. Fraser McLaren had 0 pts.

While true...that is a little revisionist.  There was a spot on the roster for Colborne last year despite having Orr/McClaren in the lineup.  He lost it...ironically...to Ashton.

It's not revisionist.  If you keep Orr/McLaren over Colborne you are saying that they deserve a roster spot over Colborne.

 

[2badknees]

I truly think that the decision of keeping Carlyle is tied to what happens with Babcock, who I heard reported is a close friend of Shanahan. The optics of keeping a publicly criticized coach and turfing for something better is much more positive than hiring a new one and turfing if Babcock became available.

Either way, I would have been more impressed to see Shanahan or his new stats-dude be a little more public about their involvement and rationale in the decision making. It sure looks like his current plan is to sit back, provide the rope, and see if Nonis hangs himself. I think the fans were looking for more leadership than that.

 

[ZBBM]

When do they make the final cuts?