This should have happened a long time ago.
I know, hopefully this gets JT and Marner going.This should have happened a long time ago.
I know, hopefully this gets JT and Marner going.
So if they struggle playing together are you going to blame Babcock yet again ?They'll look great together. Hopefully Babcock sticks with it, and plays Nylander with Tavares
should be interesting.........Matthews & Marner together makes it an easier game plan for the opposition coaches as now they will face the best QofC of the forwards/defense.
Having 2 successful offensive lines with JT+MM on one and AM on another creates mismatches and headaches for the opposition and advantages for the Leafs.
Bottom line Babcock is forced to negate his advantage to compensate for a struggling Nylander, who if he was performing up his contract as a $7 mil player, then Babcock wouldn't even be contemplating this move of his best offensive eggs in the same basket.
When the defending Stanley Cup champs see Babcock's hand being forced not by them as an opposition strategy to defend, but trying to address his own teams struggles they must be smiling when they see
Marleau -- Matthews -- Marner
Kapanen -- Tavares -- Brown
This turns Leafs 2nd line essentially into a checking line going up against either Backstrom or Kuznetsov, with the top offensive lines of each team wherever OV and Marner line-up going head to head.
I imagine the feeling is that JT's production wont tail too much. Perhaps the combination of two hard checking forwards, lessened QoC and the ability of Kapanen to step up when given an opportunity might give JT more opportunities. Matthews is playing for a good contract so this is really the best he can expect for help and that might spark him. Marner could look at this as an opportunity to show how valuable he is in all opportunities so that might even benefit him.I get why he waited to put those 2 together. With Kappy showing he is a legit top 6 forward, this allows him to do this without compromising down the lineup.
Question though, if Matthews is truly an elite centre, why does everyone feel he needs Marner to get him going. Typically, you would put a struggling player with your best player to get him going, not the other way around. Guess its obvious that Marner is their best player.
I get why he waited to put those 2 together. With Kappy showing he is a legit top 6 forward, this allows him to do this without compromising down the lineup.
Question though, if Matthews is truly an elite centre, why does everyone feel he needs Marner to get him going. Typically, you would put a struggling player with your best player to get him going, not the other way around. Guess its obvious that Marner is their best player.
Matthews & Marner together makes it an easier game plan for the opposition coaches as now they will face the best QofC of the forwards/defense.
Having 2 successful offensive lines with JT+MM on one and AM on another creates mismatches and headaches for the opposition and advantages for the Leafs.
Bottom line Babcock is forced to negate his advantage to compensate for a struggling Nylander, who if he was performing up his contract as a $7 mil player, then Babcock wouldn't even be contemplating this move of his best offensive eggs in the same basket.
When the defending Stanley Cup champs see Babcock's hand being forced not by them as an opposition strategy to defend, but trying to address his own teams struggles they must be smiling when they see
Marleau -- Matthews -- Marner
Hyman -- Tavares -- Kapanen
This turns Leafs 2nd line essentially into a checking line going up against either Backstrom or Kuznetsov, with the top offensive lines of each team wherever OV and Marner line-up going head to head.
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that Babs has been playing our best 2 forwards together all season in Tavares and Marner.
JT usually plays a better all around game with lesser talented players. I also think the Kadri-Willie-Brown line will get better matchups as JT line will probably be against opposing 1st line.
I was thinking the same thing, Tavares has a history of playing with lesser talents and doing very well so maybe Matthews needs Marner more than he does at this particular point in time.
What I'd really like to see is for us to try all kinds of different combos. We have a ton of talent, why not mix it up and keep our opponents guessing. I know it's not Babcock's style but you never know, maybe he can learn new tricks.