So does Toronto now have the best centers in the league?

[Bigrigwilly43]

Definitely still a healthy Pittsburgh and it's not even close. They are neck and neck with Washington I would say. Their overall forward depth is probably second to none though.

 

[34]

Anyone else have a 30 goal scoring 3rd line centre? Anyone?

but but... the leafs suck? right...

 

[Menzinger]

boy do Leafs fans overrated Kadri....30 goal scorer? you think he's getting that kind of production playing on the 3rd line all season

It means he gets to play against other third lines instead of their top ones. Easier competition leads to more scoring chances

 

[lomiller1]

Pens are still #1 by a lot. Edmonton is second with McDavid, Draisaitl and RNH. Leafs give Washington a run for third.

 

[rent free]

There it is. Tavares is a question mark already. Haha love it ! How about the second part of my statement ? I want your hot take.

kadri will be getting less ice time next season so he may not even hit 30 goals next season.

 

[rent free]

It means he gets to play against other third lines instead of their top ones. Easier competition leads to more scoring chances

don't forget he will get less ice time

 

[Doyoulikeapples*]

Lol what ? That doesn’t change what he is now though does it ?

 

[Menzinger]

don't forget he will get less ice time

It will likely get reduced a bit, but I think the 4th line’s icetime is going to get shrunk and redistributed too

 

[rent free]

Lol what ? That doesn’t change what he is now though does it ?

in the future, as soon as next season, it does.

 

[Bedards Dad]

Does Matthews - Tavares - Kadri surpass even Pittsburgh's Crosby + Malkin + Brassard?

No, but firmly #2

 

[zar]

How about we all just say yes and close the thread.

 

[Vexed]

don't forget he will get less ice time

Maybe a bit but let's not forget his role under Babcock was a defensive one. I bet he'll still be out there against the other teams best lines, scoring against them. I would put money down that Leafs line 1, 2 and 3 will have almost identical ice times with the only question marks being on the PP units.

 

[MardyBum]

100% agree.

In most other vs. Kadri would tip it.

In most others you don't even need Kadri, Matthews/Tavares is enough

 

[DearDiary]

Let's take a look at what would happen if they all continued with their career-average production to date:

TOR - Matthews (75.17 points) + Tavares (76.17 points) + Kadri (52.59 points) = 203.93 points
PIT - Crosby (105.92 points) + Malkin (97.27 points) + Brassard (49.02 points) = 252.21 points


How about over the past 3 season?

TOR - Matthews (75.17 points) + Tavares (76.12 points) + Kadri (55.47 points) = 206.76 points
PIT - Crosby (91.00 points) + Malkin (94.90 points) + Brassard (50.33 points) = 236.23 points


And the past 2 seasons?

TOR - Matthews (75.17 points) + Tavares (77.36 points) + Kadri (58.72 points) = 211.25 points
PIT - Crosby (92.97 points) + Malkin (99.57 points) + Brassard (45.56 points) = 238.10 points

Your facts don't matter to my feelings. Leafs>Pens, what other team can match Matthews on the 3rd line?

 

[MardyBum]

It means he gets to play against other third lines instead of their top ones. Easier competition leads to more scoring chances

I doubt their shutdown C is the one who's going to be facing easier comp, at least at home. He'll be Babcocks matchup C. On the road everyone will focus on JT + Matthews.

 

[BigBucketHolly]

[mod]

After that, I think there's a legitamate argument for the Leafs. Personally, I place the Caps group next but its very close and alot depends on unknown factors:

1. Was Lars Eller's 2018 playoff performance an awakening he can maintain or a brief statistical anomally?

2. Who will be the Caps 4th center with Beagle gone to Vancouver?

2. How quickly and effectively will Tavares adjust to Toronto-- on the ice, in the locker room and with the media?

Regardless, great move for Leaf fans.

Sincere condolences to long suffering Islanders.

 

[Doyoulikeapples*]

in the future, as soon as next season, it does.

Dumbest argument I’ve seen. The leafs have the deepest center group in the league. This is a cold hard fact. No other team has a third line center anywhere close to kadri. He would be a number 1 on many teams.

 

[The Macho King]

Pens - Oilers - then Leafs.

 

[madmike77]

Anyone else have a 30 goal scoring 3rd line centre? Anyone?

He was a 2nd line centre when he scored 30. He won’t be scoring 30 as a 3rd line centre.

 

[The Macho King]

Pens - Oilers - then Leafs.

 

[kihei]

Still the Penguins; Leafs #2, though.

 

[rent free]

Dumbest argument I’ve seen. The leafs have the deepest center group in the league. This is a cold hard fact. No other team has a third line center anywhere close to kadri. He would be a number 1 on many teams.

the leafs don't have the deepest center group in the league. that belongs to the penguins. who will be the leafs 4C? lindholm? he is not better than riley sheahan. he might be better than the caps 4C but their top-3 centers are better than the leafs top 3 centers.

as for your kadri comment, its quite absurd you think he would be a number 1 on many teams. just because he is a back-to-back 30 goal scorer, who may not repeat 30 goals next season, doesn't make him a 1C of many teams. the only teams he'd be a 1C on are carolina and montreal,

think before you make ridiculous claims

 

[ThirdManIn]

Who the f*** cares? Just enjoy your team.

 

[Doyoulikeapples*]

the leafs don't have the deepest center group in the league. that belongs to the penguins. who will be the leafs 4C? lindholm? he is not better than riley sheahan. he might be better than the caps 4C but their top-3 centers are better than the leafs top 3 centers.

as for your kadri comment, its quite absurd you think he would be a number 1 on many teams. just because he is a back-to-back 30 goal scorer, who may not repeat 30 goals next season, doesn't make him a 1C of many teams. the only teams he'd be a 1C on are carolina and montreal,

think before you make ridiculous claims

Answer my question, which team has a back to back 30 goal scorer as 3C ? Don’t twist it, don’t make some dumb remark. It’s a simple question.

 

[ottawa]

Crosby & Malkin > Tavares + Matthews + Kadri

Add Brassard to the mix and it's not close.