Contracts be damned. The only way I can see this roster competing with any chance of success is for Keefe to admit that 'stacking' two lines won't work. We do not have the defensive players needed to fill out lines 3 and 4 that could keep the puck out of our zone consistently enough for the Leafs to be successful. Coupled with a suspect D and G situation, our top two lines simply cannot score enough to offset the weaknesses further down the line up. In my opinion we have to change to a 3 line scoring team, and use our best options with the 4th line and hope they can hold their own.
Knies Matthews Bertuzzi
Jarnkrok Tavares Nylander
Robertson Domi Marner
Holmberg Kamph McMann
I could argue lines 2 and 3 could be switched. Regardless, I think either possesses enough talent to attack most other team's 3rd line with success, with either being able to hold their own against most 2nd lines in the league. Each of the first 3 lines has 1 player capable of responsible defensive play. Each of the top 3 lines has 2 players shooting over 11.7% (that being Nylander's %, which is the lowest of the 6), each has 2 players within our top 9 when it comes to ESA/60, each has a C with a winning FO%, and while admittedly a flawed stat, as a team with a +13 goal differential, the top 3 lines would be (cumulatively for each line) +23, +14, and +14, which handily bests our current line up.
Obviously, Matthews run for 70 would be harder without Marner. Marner would be disappointed losing out on 1st line minutes. I don't care. Keefe would need to balance the minutes more evenly, with the 4th line hovering between 8-10 min/night.