Leafs
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- Sep 13, 2015
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Can the leafs make the playoffs next year?
- Thread starter Leafs
- Start date
Let's assume worst case scenario
Leafs draft 4th overall
Stamkos doesn't sign here
Yandle doesn't sign here
Reimer doesn't sign here
we'll likely be finishing around 10th in the east
Assuming best case scenario is gonna lead to heartbreak by September, so let's just take it slow.
Leafs draft 4th overall
Stamkos doesn't sign here
Yandle doesn't sign here
Reimer doesn't sign here
we'll likely be finishing around 10th in the east
Assuming best case scenario is gonna lead to heartbreak by September, so let's just take it slow.
johnny_rudeboy
Registered User
kk87
Registered User
It's so hard to make a lineup due to all the competition, I think we will see alot of trades and buyouts.
If the top 6 includes Kadri, JvR, Matthews/Stamkos/ or even Laine/Pulju and 1 more top 4 Dman along with Zaitsev and an improved goaltender like Andersen I'd say they have a good shot. If Marner is up for his 9 games and plays well that increases their chances even further
If the top 6 includes Kadri, JvR, Matthews/Stamkos/ or even Laine/Pulju and 1 more top 4 Dman along with Zaitsev and an improved goaltender like Andersen I'd say they have a good shot. If Marner is up for his 9 games and plays well that increases their chances even further
We could, but a lot needs to go right. No team in our division looks great and we have talent but a couple things probably need to happen.
Sign Stamkos
Draft 1 or 2
have Draft pick, Marner and Nylander playing at a level they are in Calder discussion
Kadri needs to play like the center his analytic's dictate he should, which is a 25 goal year-55 to 60 point season taking tough matchups
Bernier bouncing back and starting to enter his peak
Zaitsev needs to be an immediate top 4 defender.
Rielly and Gardner need to take steps to establish themselves as a #1 D and #2 D levels, both are probably current 2's and 3's.
JVR needs to be a 30 goal guy
If most of those hit, I'd say we have a great chance and we have the coach and staff to help execute this, but its more likely we are bottom 3 than a playoff team. Those things happen we are a legitimate threat as a 2nd round team. But even if we sign Stamkos and draft one of Laine or Matthews, I would still say we are on the outside looking in.
Sign Stamkos
Draft 1 or 2
have Draft pick, Marner and Nylander playing at a level they are in Calder discussion
Kadri needs to play like the center his analytic's dictate he should, which is a 25 goal year-55 to 60 point season taking tough matchups
Bernier bouncing back and starting to enter his peak
Zaitsev needs to be an immediate top 4 defender.
Rielly and Gardner need to take steps to establish themselves as a #1 D and #2 D levels, both are probably current 2's and 3's.
JVR needs to be a 30 goal guy
If most of those hit, I'd say we have a great chance and we have the coach and staff to help execute this, but its more likely we are bottom 3 than a playoff team. Those things happen we are a legitimate threat as a 2nd round team. But even if we sign Stamkos and draft one of Laine or Matthews, I would still say we are on the outside looking in.
Well I'd say if all that happens then they can contend for a spot out of the Eastern Conference QF..
johnny_rudeboy
Registered User
exporta
Registered User
- Jul 30, 2005
- 3,219
- 246
If we draft Matthews and sign Stamkos, it's almost certain both will play on the wing Babcock has basically said he prefers to shelter young centre's on the wing and wasn't ideal for Nylander to play centre. He went on to say that with a healthy roster Nylander will play the wing.
Doesn't mean that will be the long term plan, but for next year don't be surprised if they are eased into those roles.
Iirc he said if the line up was healthy he WOULD have started Willie on the wing. He also said that Willie was doing fine at centre facing top compitition.
Time will tell but I'm betting Willie starts at centre next season if all things stay the same.
Babcock has been saying and doing this since his days in Detriot
i frankly don't get at all how this could bother folks
if we have Nylander and mathews on wing for their rook seasons, thats actually a great great sign,no?
C depth galore , liach goes this TD, Bozak next TD
The thing is if Nylander is now already accustom to playing center in the NHL he's not going to get shifted over to the wing. That makes no sense. Matthews might get put on the wing to start, but not Willy.
Clark4Ever
What we do in hockey echoes in eternity...
I have to agree regarding keeping Nylander at centre. If he was going to get acclimated to the NHL by playing the wing first, it would have had to happen out of the gate. I don't think it would benefit his development to shift him to the wing next season and then back to centre again at some point.
babcock had little choice, he never had his 4 Cs when nylander was up and this was when the season was already done
just wait and see ,when babcock puts together next years opening line up, with an eye on a wildcard spot.
johnny_rudeboy
Registered User
If we dont get Matthews, Nylander will be the teams best center next season. So no point playing him on the wing.
oh,i think just getting stamkos bumps nylander to the wing next year
well, till the TD and maybe laich is moved
Nylander will never play wing in the NHL.
If we get Matthews, we aren't going to get stamkos.
So you have 4 centers vying for 3 spots. I feel this management wants to trade bozak. Even if bozak stays I still think Nylander has the 2/3 center spot waiting for him.
listen to the likes of you
or listen to coach babcock
wowz your making this really really tough on me
If Babcock didn't agree with me why wasn't Willy moved to wing when Bozak returned? No he'll be a center next year that much is certain.
johnny_rudeboy
Registered User
I am sure we will have a crow eating thread next season so here I go.
I doubt they plan to play Nylander on the wing after a successful period as an SHL center followed by a season where he played C in both the AHL and NHL. IF we draft Matthews and sign Stamkos, sure, they might bump him to the wing but they will if so soon figure out Nylander is better at C and Stamkos better as a W then the reversed. So he will eventually end up being a C anyway.
I doubt they plan to play Nylander on the wing after a successful period as an SHL center followed by a season where he played C in both the AHL and NHL. IF we draft Matthews and sign Stamkos, sure, they might bump him to the wing but they will if so soon figure out Nylander is better at C and Stamkos better as a W then the reversed. So he will eventually end up being a C anyway.
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