Line Combos: Establishing Balance

[swint]

According to Nonis, we're stuck with what we've got. In my opinion, the best way to utilize the mix of players that the Leafs has is to incorporate a balance of offense and defense into every line we ice. I'd roll with something like this when we are healthy:

LUPUL - BOZAK - KESSEL
VAN RIEMSDYK - HOLLAND - CLARKSON
KOMAROV - KADRI - PANIK
WINNIK - SANTORELLI - LEIVO/BOOTH

-1st line is obviously still weak defensively, but I'm curious to see if Lupul/Kessel can recreate the chemistry they had a couple of years ago.
-2nd line, the big boys, with Clarkson (ideally) creating space for soft handed Holland and JVR to play in front of the net.
-3rd line is interchangeable with the second. Kadri plays against weaker competition as he did in 2013. Also interested to see if Komarov and Panik are able to produce more offense with a skilled centre in Naz.
-4th line will serve as a shut down line who can work the cycle down low in the offensive zone but play solid enough defense to play a good amount of minutes per night.

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[KPower]

Looks like a Stanley cup contender to me.

 

[swint]

Looks like a Stanley cup contender to me.

 

[thewave]

Your lines are not balanced.

Komarov Kadri Kessel
JVR Bozak Santorelli
Lupul Holland Panik
Booth Winnik Clarkson

This is fairly balanced.

 

[Durrr]

According to Nonis, we're stuck with what we've got. In my opinion, the best way to utilize the mix of players that the Leafs has is to incorporate a balance of offense and defense into every line we ice. I'd roll with something like this when we are healthy:

LUPUL - BOZAK - KESSEL
VAN RIEMSDYK - HOLLAND - CLARKSON
KOMAROV - KADRI - PANIK
WINNIK - SANTORELLI - LEIVO/BOOTH

-1st line is obviously still weak defensively, but I'm curious to see if Lupul/Kessel can recreate the chemistry they had a couple of years ago.
-2nd line, the big boys, with Clarkson (ideally) creating space for soft handed Holland and JVR to play in front of the net.
-3rd line is interchangeable with the second. Kadri plays against weaker competition as he did in 2013. Also interested to see if Komarov and Panik are able to produce more offense with a skilled centre in Naz.
-4th line will serve as a shut down line who can work the cycle down low in the offensive zone but play solid enough defense to play a good amount of minutes per night.

Leafs best center regulated to the third line, that's a new one

Komarov-Kadri-Kessel
Jvr-Bozak-Lupul/Winnik
Lupul/Winnick-Holland-Santo
Booth-Carrick-Clarkson

 

[swint]

Your lines are not balanced.

Komarov Kadri Kessel
JVR Bozak Santorelli
Lupul Holland Panik
Booth Winnik Clarkson

This is fairly balanced.

Never been a fan of the Kadri-Kessel combo.

 

[Gary Batman]

After seeing that lineup, I am totally not worried.

About our tank that is.

 

[Durrr]

Never been a fan of the Kadri-Kessel combo.

Right, I guess you've never been a fan of production either then?

 

[swint]

Right, I guess you've never been a fan of production either then?

Just can't seem to remember a period of time in which these two consistently put up points playing with each other?

 

[darrylsittler27]

Why there can be no balance.

Bozak is a number 2 C, Phaneuff is our number one D and Kadri is a 3rd line C on many good teams. But they are in our core playing more minutes than they should. We also dont have a 4th line. This team reminds me of a toothless Mad guy saying "Me worry?" Many could even claim JVR is a great 2nd line winger. You cant balance away lack of talent in today's NHL.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

You're suggesting Kadri on the 3rd line. Raise shields and go to red alert Kadri fanboys attack incoming.

 

[Durrr]

Just can't seem to remember a period of time in which these two consistently put up points playing with each other?

Probably because Bozak and Kessel and joined at the hip for some reason? Kadri and Kessel played 3.33 games (72:07 toi) together this season (with full center depth in the line up) and recorded 3 points (Kadri) and 5 points (Kessel). Compare this to Kessel and Bozak, with 182:10 toi, with 7 points (Kessel) and 4 points (Bozak).

Pretty easy to see the line was working more then the current line is, even if it is a small sample size. It didn't warrant being broken up so easily for more of the same.

 

[Durrr]

You're suggesting Kadri on the 3rd line. Raise shields and go to red alert Kadri fanboys attack incoming.

You just have so much to contribute to the discussion, don't you?

 

[LeafalCrusader]

You just have so much to contribute to the discussion, don't you?

Just having some fun.

 

[Durrr]

Just having some fun.

Fair enough, at least you responded seriously in the other thread. I do think Kadri is much more useful on the top line right now then Bozak. Tyler hasn't contributed much ES to the first line this season other then winning faceoffs.

 

[91Stammer*]

May be we will do it next year!

 

[Dreakmur]

I like the idea of moving Lupul back to play with Kessel and Bozak. I also like van Riemsdyk and Clarkson flanking the 2nd line, but I would use Kadri there still.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Fair enough, at least you responded seriously in the other thread. I do think Kadri is much more useful on the top line right now then Bozak. Tyler hasn't contributed much ES to the first line this season other then winning faceoffs.

I really don't know what will work at this point. This team and each line never plays with the same intensity from one game to the next. Who knows maybe Kadri centering the 3rd line and feasting on some weaker match ups will work best or maybe Kadri with Kessel will work best. I really don't know and won't jump on Carlyle for trying x line combo and not trying y line combo. At the end of the day I think we've got deep issues that can't be fixed internally.

 

[Hockey Talker29]

Bozak is a number 2 C, Phaneuff is our number one D and Kadri is a 3rd line C on many good teams. But they are in our core playing more minutes than they should. We also dont have a 4th line. This team reminds me of a toothless Mad guy saying "Me worry?" Many could even claim JVR is a great 2nd line winger. You cant balance away lack of talent in today's NHL.

The Leafs are the only NHL team that would even consider having Bozak above Kadri on the depth chart. Bozak is barely a 2c. Kadri is a bonafide 2c, and one of the better ones.

The only reason Bozak looks passable as a 2c is because he spends 90% of his ice-time with Kessel. He's a 3c on most teams.

 

[SprDaVE]

Get Bozak the **** out of the top line if you want change. If I keep seeing him in that spot then I'll assume that change is not wanted.

Put Kadri with Lupul and Kessel, put Holland there, heck put Komarov on the top line as the center for all I care. Just please get Bozak away from Kessel once and for all.

I even like Bozak. I really do... but put him somewhere else in the lineup. It's the only drastic change that hasn't happened for awhile.

 

[thewave]

Get Bozak the **** out of the top line if you want change. If I keep seeing him in that spot then I'll assume that change is not wanted.

Put Kadri with Lupul and Kessel, put Holland there, heck put Komarov on the top line as the center for all I care. Just please get Bozak away from Kessel once and for all.

I even like Bozak. I really do... but put him somewhere else in the lineup. It's the only drastic change that hasn't happened for awhile.

You just created a loaded line. JVR Kadri Kessel is loaded.

Komarov Kadri Kessel is a variation that could possibly work as he is your defensive player (natural C)

JVR Bozak Satorelli is another line that is balanced. JVR an Bozak are pretty good I suppose. Santa adds a little Defensive structure. He is also pretty good offensively from time to time. Alternate line is this with Lupul but it is tipped offensively.

Lupul Holland Panik this line could be pretty good. Alternate Panik Santa Holland.

 

[SprDaVE]

You just created a loaded line. JVR Kadri Kessel is loaded.

Komarov Kadri Kessel is a variation that could possibly work as he is your defensive player (natural C)

JVR Bozak Satorelli is another line that is balanced. JVR an Bozak are pretty good I suppose. Santa adds a little Defensive structure. He is also pretty good offensively from time to time. Alternate line is this with Lupul but it is tipped offensively.

Lupul Holland Panik this line could be pretty good. Alternate Panik Santa Holland.

Pretty much. It's not like Bozak makes the top line some 2-way line... it's still crap defensively and putting Kadri there really just makes the line that much more dangerous offensively while pretty much the same bad defensive plays.

I'm all for a major change in lines. Keeping Bozak with Kessel isn't that.

 

[RLF]

Since Lupul/Booth still out

Santo Kadri Kessel
JVR Bozak Clarkson
Winnik Holland Komarov
Panik Carrick Leivo

 

[BorntoLose]

give Kadri some decent wingers and he can produce just fine on his own. Bozak on the other hand should stay with Kessel or he'll be virtually useless.

 

[Al14]

The only way to establish balance with Clarkson, is to take away his skates! Even then, he'll still end up ass over tea kettle most every shift!