kyle n00bas
Registered User
- Dec 10, 2017
- 834
- 625
Aaltonen can play center and was described as Babs by "pretty close to NHL ready" after the pre-season. He could be a candidate to take over for Moore as the 4th line C. As for the hole left by Bozak, it's seemed like the plan all along has been to get Nylander ready to move to C full-time next season, but maybe management could go off-script a bit and take another swing at signing Thornton in the off-season.Listen I hope you are right but understand AHL and Pre-season doesn't translate into instant NHL success. It takes time.
Also, keep in mind of the players that you are stating wont be around next season 2 of them are currently starting centers for the Leafs. If like you say Leivo and Kapanen are forgone conclusions to be part of the big club, they are wingers. Which would mean centers are needed!!!!! Unless Johnnson can play center which from what I know he cant. My guess is that he will get a shot to make club, but there will be needs that need to be filled prior to him becoming an everyday NHLer. And I think it will do him some good getting more reps against AHL north American talent for another season.
Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Marleau-Nylander-Brown
Johnsson-Kadri-Leivo
Martin-Aaltonen-Kapanen
Soshnikov
Who knows what the lines would be, but I could see the forward group looking something like that for the 2018-19 opening night. Lots can happen in the meantime, though, and the depth behind those 13 guys would be pretty thin (especially at C), so your guess is probably as good as mine.
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