Line Combos: Leafs Lines Going Into Next Season (2018-2019)

[Man Bear Pig]

Johnsson on the second line? I guess some people have high hopes or high expectations. What do I know...

Johnsson is NHL ready and tore up the AHL. He's ready for those kind of minutes.

 

[Randy Randerson]

can Hyman play center at the NHL level? seems like a tailor made solution to the 4th line center hole if so, while also not saddling any of the scoring lines with his lack of offense. This team is going to wear defenses out if they have to try to defend everyone on the top 3 lines

 

[Trapper]

It's possible, but I believe a switch would be more about balancing the two lines. Matching up LW-C-RW, an argument could be made about who's more productive. Adding it all up, I'd say it leaves the two lines as essentially equal. I also think those players could - and maybe will as needed - be mixed and matched throughout the season, and any combo would be a lot to handle for the opposition.

Not to mention Babcock can switch Hyman because the addition of Tavares changes the entire structure of how he will deploy Matthews and when. It’s not close to being the same as having to deploy Matthews/Kadri and shelter Bozak/JVR.
We don’t have a shelter line anymore.

 

[Scott Malkinson]

Out:

F Matt Martin (trade)
F Josh Leivo (trade/waivers)
Prospects
Draft Picks

In:

D Justin Faulk (trade)

---------------------------------

Hyman........Matthews....Nylander
Marleau......Tavares.....Marner
Johnsson.....Kadri.......Kapanen
Grundstrom...Lindholm....Brown
Jooris

Rielly......Faulk
Gardiner....Zaitsev
Dermott.....Hainsey
Borgman.....Carrick

Andersen
McElhinney​

 

[Buds17]

Not to mention Babcock can switch Hyman because the addition of Tavares changes the entire structure of how he will deploy Matthews and when. It’s not close to being the same as having to deploy Matthews/Kadri and shelter Bozak/JVR.
We don’t have a shelter line anymore.

Well said. Imagine there's still more change to come at both forward and defence, but the forward group looks to be nicely improved in two-way capability. Still have a 30+ goal scorer on each line too, according to last season's stats. Great on paper, it should be great on ice as well.

 

[The Masters]

martin and leivo will be gone. Martiin has been great in the dressing room but our young guys took his spot ie. kappy, brown etc.

no room for him here. and leivo is a big coke head supposedly. couple of my buddies know him and say hes wack. leafs will get rid of both of these guys.

marleau - matthews - nylander
hyman - tavares - marner
johannson - kadri - Brown
Grundstrom - Lindholm - Kapanen

I love Grundstrom's game and he fits perfectly on the 4th line. I think he gets the spot. Let's not forget Dubas knows his marlies better than anyone. Johansson (for sure) and Grundstrom will graduate next season.

All four lines are deep and a mix of high end talent, grit and both young / veteran presence (led by marleau and tavares).

I still think we need an upgrade on D - at least one more guy ... andhopedully Zaitsev has a strong year. Injuries hurt him last season.

 

[kk87]

Where do the Marner-Tavares, Matthews-Nylander combinations rank league-wide in terms of 1-2 punches? Must both be comfortably top 10, at least.

 

[34]

Where do the Marner-Tavares, Matthews-Nylander combinations rank league-wide in terms of 1-2 punches? Must both be comfortably top 10, at least.

Top 10?

Top 3 I would say.

 

[bonjovi0308]

Jooris........Matthews....Nylander
Hyman......Tavares.....Marner
Marleau.....Kadri.......Brown
Johnsson...Lindholm....Kapanen

Probably the fastest and most dangerous 4th line in the NHL.

 

[TMLeafer]

I think Tavares-Nylander would be a good combo.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

I think Tavares-Nylander would be a good combo.

I agree, I think we could see Tavares get both of Matthews wingers at some point to see how that works.

 

[crump]

I used to have insomnia, and one of things I started doing was making up lines in my head when I went to bed....no lie, it fixed it.

Over the last few years I would think about how JVR was essentially our third line left wing. This seemed to be the thing that put me into deep sleep, I was worried with him leaving that I would lose that important key to initializing sleep. I was needlessly worried as I have no trouble getting to sleep these past two days. Damn...look at the time.

 

[MR4]

Top 10?

Top 3 I would say.

Chill lol Giroux-Voracek, Bergeron-Marchand, Benn-Seguin beat them out until they prove they're better

I think Tavares-Nylander would be a good combo.

Yep I think I prefer something like this

Nylander-Tavares-Kapanen
Marleau-Matthews-Marner
Johnsson-Kadri-Hyman
Grundstrom-X-Brown

 

[34]

Chill lol Giroux-Voracek, Bergeron-Marchand, Benn-Seguin beat them out until they prove they're better

Yep I think I prefer something like this

Nylander-Tavares-Kapanen
Marleau-Matthews-Marner
Johnsson-Kadri-Hyman
Grundstrom-X-Brown

Matthews/Tavares are WAY better than the Giroux duo IMO.

 

[Ramboshaw]

Jooris........Matthews....Nylander
Hyman......Tavares.....Marner
Marleau.....Kadri.......Brown
Johnsson...Lindholm....Kapanen

Probably the fastest and most dangerous 4th line in the NHL.

One of these things is not like the other...

 

[Kiwi]

Johnsson Matthews Marner
Hyman Tavares Nylander
Marleau Kadri Kapanen
Jooris Lindholm Brown

Obviously Babcock won't do this but it would be interesting to watch

 

[MR4]

Matthews/Tavares are WAY better than the Giroux duo IMO.

I'm assuming he's talking about linemates, or else I would've obv listed Crosby/malkin

 

[34]

I'm assuming he's talking about linemates, or else I would've obv listed Crosby/malkin

Yes Crosby/Malkin are better.

 

[Thissiteisgarbage]

can Hyman play center at the NHL level? seems like a tailor made solution to the 4th line center hole if so, while also not saddling any of the scoring lines with his lack of offense. This team is going to wear defenses out if they have to try to defend everyone on the top 3 lines

As much as I'd like to see him on the 4th, it will almost certainly never happen with Babcock making the decision

 

[MagicalRazor]

My buddy who i trust alot said Babs said he is gonna play Hyman- J.T - Marner
"Babs has a quote saying he’ll put Hyman with taveras and marner"

So i think the lines will be
Hyman - JT - Marner
A.J - Matthews - Nylander
Marleau - Kadri - K.K
Grunstrom - Maybe GOAT IDK WHO FILL THIS ROLE - Brown

 

[slozo]

Hyman - Tavares - Marner
Marleau - Matthews - Nylander
Johnsson - Kadri - Brown/Kapanen
Grundstrom - Lindholm - Bracco/Brown/Kapanen

Rielly - Hainsey
Gardiner - Zaitsev
Dermott - Carrick

Andersen
McElhinney/Sparks

 

[Pookie]

According to Babcock, these are the top 2 lines going into next season:

“Leafs coach Mike Babcock said on Sunday that if the 2018-19 season started today, his top two lines would include Auston Matthews between Patrick Marleau and William Nylander, and Tavares between Zach Hyman and Mitch Marner.”

Babcock envisioning Tavares/Marner fit in new-look Maple Leafs lineup

 

[Svanstrom]

Grundström and Johnsson should absolutely get their chance. Grundström could basically take on any role and I feel Johnsson should get a chance on a top line and pp to begin with.

Johnsson - Matthews - Nylander
Marleau - Tavares - Marner
Kapanen - Kadri - Hyman
Grundström - Lindholm - Brown

Reilly - Hainsey
Gardiner - Zaitsev
Dermott - ???

 

[The Masters]

Landsberg in the Morning – July 3, 2018: The Breakfast Club

 

[mapleleafs34]

According to Babcock, these are the top 2 lines going into next season:

“Leafs coach Mike Babcock said on Sunday that if the 2018-19 season started today, his top two lines would include Auston Matthews between Patrick Marleau and William Nylander, and Tavares between Zach Hyman and Mitch Marner.”

Babcock envisioning Tavares/Marner fit in new-look Maple Leafs lineup

Hyman-Tavares-Marner is going to be a puck possession monster