What's the strategy with the bottom 6?

[Brock Radunske]

What the hell? The Leafs have 11(12) guys fighting for 6 spots.
1. Who's going to making it?
2.Which will get demoted?
3. Who is press-boxing?
4. Any jumpers to the 2nd line?
5. Trade coming up? Possibly Kadri/Lupul out for Defence and one of these guys filling in?

Frattin - 2/3
Komarov 3
Kontiola 4
Santorelli 3
Booth 3
Holland 4
Ashton Marlies?
Orr Marlies?
Winnik 4
Bodie 4
Smith Marlies?

Komarov - Santorelli - Frattin
Booth - Holland - Winnik

Bodie, Kontiola in the pressbox?

Let's figure this out.

Click to read more...

 

[Stephen]

There's six guys who will make it maybe one who gets into the top six and the rest ready to steal their jobs.

 

[seanlinden]

 

[Brock Radunske]

Sums up the Leafs lines and pairings quite well, actually.

 

[satyr9]

I think Santorelli is the most likely guy to end up with Lupul/Kadri 'cause he can win faceoffs and has enough offense to play in a top 6 capacity. After that I think Kontiola, Winnik, and Holland are in a free-for-all for C 3/4/5. Santorelli could bump them down if I'm wrong, but that's my best guess for how it'll shake out.

That leaves Komarov/Booth on the left and Clarkson/Frattin on the right. I think this year 3/4 is even and playing closer to equal than before so actual line combo's will be chemistry related more than anything. Loser of Kontiola/Winnik/Holland joins Ashton in the box. Smith and Bodie are Marlies or lost to waivers.

Top 6: Kessel, JVR, Bozak, Lupul, Kadri, Santorelli
Bottom 8: Komarov, Clarkson, Winnik, Booth, Frattin, Kontiola, Holland Ashton

 

[Brock Radunske]

I think Santorelli is the most likely guy to end up with Lupul/Kadri 'cause he can win faceoffs and has enough offense to play in a top 6 capacity. After that I think Kontiola, Winnik, and Holland are in a free-for-all for C 3/4/5. Santorelli could bump them down if I'm wrong, but that's my best guess for how it'll shake out.

That leaves Komarov/Booth on the left and Clarkson/Frattin on the right. I think this year 3/4 is even and playing closer to equal than before so actual line combo's will be chemistry related more than anything. Loser of Kontiola/Winnik/Holland joins Ashton in the box. Smith and Bodie are Marlies or lost to waivers.

Top 6: Kessel, JVR, Bozak, Lupul, Kadri, Santorelli
Bottom 8: Komarov, Clarkson, Winnik, Booth, Frattin, Kontiola, Holland Ashton

Smith and Bodie can be and make it or not.

I'd like Bodie to stick. He's huge and can fly. He also seems like a big, dumb golden retriever. lol

 

[The Iceman]

I'd like Bodie to stick. He's huge and can fly. He also seems like a big, dumb golden retriever. lol

Bodie reminds me of Christian Hanson.
Big, strong, good skater. just leaves you wanting more.

 

[satyr9]

I'd like Bodie to stick. He's huge and can fly. He also seems like a big, dumb golden retriever. lol

Well, if you took my lineup, it only takes one injury or one poor performance for Bodie to stick. Also, I think Ashton is probably gone if all we were to get the forwards through camp healthy, like Colborne last year. Bodie and T.Smith have those pressbox type contracts that eat up as little space as possible and with the all the new faces and rejuvenation projects, it's easily possible that Bodie not only makes it, but makes it as the everyday 4th RW. It's just on my pre-season depth chart, he's 5th and 15th overall.

 

[Brock Radunske]

Well, if you took my lineup, it only takes one injury or one poor performance for Bodie to stick. Also, I think Ashton is probably gone if all we were to get the forwards through camp healthy, like Colborne last year. Bodie and T.Smith have those pressbox type contracts that eat up as little space as possible and with the all the new faces and rejuvenation projects, it's easily possible that Bodie not only makes it, but makes it as the everyday 4th RW. It's just on my pre-season depth chart, he's 5th and 15th overall.

I figured maybe Smith and Ashton would be Marlies this year. Maybe Holland, too.

 

[BonMorrison]

I'd imagine the Leafs are using the Anaheim system of swapping players in and out depending on who the opponent is / to rest other players.

Anaheim's lines looked like this last season

Smith-Pelly/Penner/Beleskey/Palmieri/Maroon - Getzlaf - Perry
Silfverberg/Maroon/Palmieri - Perreault/Bonino - Selanne (or scratched)
Palmieri/Silfverberg/Maroon - Koivu - Cogliano
Beleskey/Maroon - Perreault/Bonino - Winnik/Palmieri

See what I'm getting at?

Only difference is that they had top six players to swap in and out, all our madness swapping will be in the bottom six.

 

[SprDaVE]

The plan was said a few times, it's to be able to roll 4 lines a lot better then the previous 2 seasons. Playing a few players under 5 minutes is completely inexcusable in todays NHL, especially with young players like Holland, Ashton, etc. Carlyle also needs to have confidence in his bottom lines in most situations, so this gives him some players that should be able to do that. No excuse from Carlyle here that he doesn't have players and the option to change things around to make it work. It's not perfect, but it's better then what it was.

There is a surplus of forwards right now but it's a good problem to have. Plus, it gives us some pretty good depth.

I don't think we have much to worry about losing Orr, McLaren or Smith on waivers. All 3 were waived at some point and none were claimed. Ashton, Bodie or Booth, depending who shines, will likely be waived with a decent chance of being claimed but there are always a lot of players waived before the start of the season and most players go unclaimed.

 

[Daisy Jane]

meh. i see it as let's sign all the free agents - whoever makes it makes it , then we can trade everyone else for a pick.

 

[Median]

JvR | Bozak | Kessel
Lupul | Kontiola | Clarkson
Komarov | Kadri | Frattin
Booth | Santorelli | Winnik
Bodie, Holland, Ashton

So looks like Bodie + Ashton to Marlies?

 

[one77]

JVR - Bozak - Kessel
Lupul - Kadri - Santorelli
Komarov - Kontiola - Clarkson
Booth - Holland - Winnik
-Bodie/Frattin/Ashton/Leivo

 

[maketrades]

Doubt Booth plays over Kontiola, yeah we signed him, doens't mean he's gonna make the team.

 

[CerebralDevil]

Doubt Booth plays over Kontiola, yeah we signed him, doens't mean he's gonna make the team.

actually I think Booth plays RW alongside Kadri?

 

[The Iceman]

IMO 13 forwards as below.
Would love to see Michael Delzotto or Carlo Cola added as 7th D


Kessel, Phil » $8,000,000 $8,000,000 $8,000,000 $8,000,000 $8,000,000 $8,000,000 $8,000,000 »
Lupul, Joffrey » $5,250,000 $5,250,000 $5,250,000 $5,250,000
Clarkson, David » $5,250,000 $5,250,000 $5,250,000 $5,250,000 $5,250,000 $5,250,000
Van Riemsdyk, J. » $4,250,000 $4,250,000 $4,250,000 $4,250,000
Bozak, Tyler » $4,200,000 $4,200,000 $4,200,000 $4,200,000
Komarov, Leo » $2,950,000 $2,950,000 $2,950,000 $2,950,000
Kadri, Nazem » $2,900,000
Santorelli, Mike » $1,500,000
Winnik, Daniel » $1,300,000
Booth, David » $1,100,000
Kontiola, Petri » $1,100,000
Orr, Colton » $925,000
Ashton, Carter » $850,500
Frattin, Matt » $800,000 $800,000
Holland, Peter » $775,000 $775,000
Bodie, Troy » $600,000
Smith, Trevor » $550,000

Defensemen (5)
$16,944,167

Phaneuf, Dion » $7,000,000 $7,000,000 $7,000,000 $7,000,000 $7,000,000 $7,000,000 $7,000,000 »
Franson, Cody » $3,300,000
UFA
Robidas, Stephane » $3,000,000 $3,000,000 $3,000,000
UFA
Polak, Roman » $2,750,000 $2,750,000
UFA
Rielly, Morgan » EL $894,167 $894,167
RFA
Gardiner, Jake »

 

[WTFMAN99]

My attempt

JVR-Bozak-Kessel
Lupul-Kadri-Clarkson (need to see if he can gain it back)
Komarov-Kontiola-Winnik
Booth-Holland-Santorelli (apparently Booth and Santorelli have chemistry)
Frattin, Ashton

Phaneuf-Robidas
Gardiner-Polak
Reilly-Franson
MacWilliam

Bernier
Reimer

 

[Tyler Biggs*]

We're going to finally have a bottom six that can play.

 

[Frelimo]

JVR - Bozak - Kessel
Lupul - Kadri - Santorelli
Komarov - Kontiola - Clarkson
Booth - Holland - Winnik
-Bodie/Frattin/Ashton/Leivo

This is what I think too, although I wouldn't be surprised if Kontiola ends up on the second, Holland on the third, and Santorelli on the fourth line - that fourth line then would make a pretty decent shutdown line.

Also, to those above thinking they might send Holland down: not going to happen. He's not waiver exempt anymore.

 

[Ricky Bobby]

What the hell? The Leafs have 11(12) guys fighting for 6 spots.
1. Who's going to making it?
2.Which will get demoted?
3. Who is press-boxing?
4. Any jumpers to the 2nd line?
5. Trade coming up? Possibly Kadri/Lupul out for Defence and one of these guys filling in?

Frattin - 2/3
Komarov 3
Kontiola 4
Santorelli 3
Booth 3
Holland 4
Ashton Marlies?
Orr Marlies?
Winnik 4
Bodie 4
Smith Marlies?

Komarov - Santorelli - Frattin
Booth - Holland - Winnik

Bodie, Kontiola in the pressbox?

Let's figure this out.

Injuries happen which can change things very quickly. Booth and Santorelli are both almost guarantees to be out injured for extended stretches this season.

Clarkson 2-3
Frattin - 2-4
Komarov 3/4
Kontiola 3/4
Santorelli 2-4
Booth 2-4
Holland 2-4
Winnik 3/4

Ashton: Given a shot at camp but also a likely trade candidate just like Colborne was. Carlyle barely used him last season which should show people how he feels about him and he doesn't add a speciality element like faceoffs, PK ability.

Orr: likely still has a spot because Carlyle likes having a heavy weight.

Bodie: clears waivers like last season and is a call up. Doesn't count against the cap because his salary is well below 925K

Smith: clears waivers like last season and is a call up. Doesn't count against the cap because his salary is well below 925K

 

[SeaOfBlue]

What the hell? The Leafs have 11(12) guys fighting for 6 spots.
1. Who's going to making it?
2.Which will get demoted?
3. Who is press-boxing?
4. Any jumpers to the 2nd line?
5. Trade coming up? Possibly Kadri/Lupul out for Defence and one of these guys filling in?

Frattin - 2/3
Komarov 3
Kontiola 4
Santorelli 3
Booth 3
Holland 4
Ashton Marlies?
Orr Marlies?
Winnik 4
Bodie 4
Smith Marlies?

Komarov - Santorelli - Frattin
Booth - Holland - Winnik

Bodie, Kontiola in the pressbox?

Let's figure this out.

Why does everyone say this? I think we are good for this year. MacWilliam and Holzer (and all the others too) will fight for the spot, and if they suck, we'll trade for one later in the season. We don't need to go get some guy to push guys who may actually be better than him.

I have Lupul, McLaren and Ashton being traded (plus other Marlies, Franson and Reimer), but no pro players coming back. Then I have Booth in the press box, but he'll still get plenty of playing time with injuries or just simple rotation.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Injuries happen which can change things very quickly. Booth and Santorelli are both almost guarantees to be out injured for extended stretches this season.

Clarkson 2-3
Frattin - 2-4
Komarov 3/4
Kontiola 3/4
Santorelli 2-4
Booth 2-4
Holland 2-4
Winnik 3/4

Ashton: Given a shot at camp but also a likely trade candidate just like Colborne was. Carlyle barely used him last season which should show people how he feels about him and he doesn't add a speciality element like faceoffs, PK ability.

Orr: likely still has a spot because Carlyle likes having a heavy weight.

Bodie: clears waivers like last season and is a call up. Doesn't count against the cap because his salary is well below 925K

Smith: clears waivers like last season and is a call up. Doesn't count against the cap because his salary is well below 925K

He'll probably go to the minors to teach other heavy weights like Devane, Broll, Ross, Rupert, and Biggs. Devane will probably get the call up, while Bodie stays up because he is a good balance of heavyweight and skill.

 

[seanlinden]

I'd suspect that Orr & McLaren both make their way down, along with Smith.

To me, there's basically 9 positions up for grabs (1 top 6, 6 bottom 6, 2 pressbox), which breaks down as follows:

Clarkson
Booth
Santorelli
Komarov
Kontiola
Frattin
Winnik
Holland
--
Bodie
Ashton
--
Smith
McLaren
Orr

I think the battle for that last position likely comes down to Bodie & Ashton; with the debate basically being Ashton's fighting, versus Bodie's usefulness.

 

[Durkin67]

Bodie reminds me of Christian Hanson.
Big, strong, good skater. just leaves you wanting more.

Much better forechecker, more physical than Hanson.hes more of that poor mans Ryan Malone 2009 version that we had hoped Hanson would have been.