Line Combos: Who comes out of the line up when fully healthy (playoffs)

[PromisedLand]

Assuming we don't add anyone anymore (we may but for now just play along); what is teh forward line up when fully healthy? who are you expecting to come out of the line up?

Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Gally-JT-Willy
Mikheyev-Engvall-Simmonds
Jumbo-Kerfoot-Spezza

is what we were running; who comes out for Nash? Or is Nash the odd man out?

If Nash is in what are your line combinations?

EDIT: Foligno in.

Find two guys who would go out. Edited the poll to have 2 choices

Click to read more...

 

[Man Bear Pig]

It should be Thornton, but wont be. I think it'll be Nash.

 

[Morbo]

Thornton, who has replaced Vesey as the least effective forward on the roster. for what he does, Nash is stronger in his particular role.

 

[BM14]

Jumbo and Giraffe will have rotating game-day injuries.

 

[The Blueprint]

I love jumbo but if he isn't putting up points Id rather someone with a more defensive pedigree playing instead

 

[Not My Tempo]

Nash looks like a really useful player to help defend a lead.

Thornton is gonna play for sure. I don’t think he should logically, but the guys in the locker room will be playing harder to get him a cup if he’s also out there.

Idk maybe have him over Engvall? I think the decision gets tougher if we trade for another forward

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Unfortunately the answer right now is Thornton. If we add another forward, it may also end up being Engvall. At least forward depth won't be an issue.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Too early to say as we may add and subtract.

 

[OVO16]

Should be Thornton but due to name power....wouldn't be surprised if its engvall.

Which w0uld be a shame because engvall is better than both Kerfoot and Thornton

 

[Buds17]

Management will uncover a 13 F loophole.

Leaning towards Engvall at the moment. *This is now obviously to accommodate Foligno. Attaching a GP condition to the trade for Nash is of course likely related to him currently being injured. The possibility exists that he might not be in the lineup for every playoff game though.

 

[Ciao]

Four weeks is a long time.

Just wait to see if there are any injuries and/or COVID-protocol related absences.

There might not be a surplus of forwards after all.

 

[notbias]

Should be Thornton but due to name power....wouldn't be surprised if its engvall.

Which w0uld be a shame because engvall is better than both Kerfoot and Thornton

No clue how you can say that in a serious manner.

Engvall's hockey IQ is single digits, if we are bringing in a defensive specialist (Nash), we can afford to lose Engvall.

What I think will actually happen is we pick up a top-6 winger (we can use Hall as an example) and Nash doesn't play, and neither does Engvall.

Thornton - Matthews - Marner
Galchenyuk - Tavares - Nylander
Mikyehev - Kerfoot - Hyman
Hall - Spezza - Simmonds

No weak lines, no actual 4th line, rotate Hyman and Hall through the lines to give them more ice time. Sit Thornton/Spezza/Simmonds to do this.

Thornton and Simmonds can play ~5 mins at 5v5 since they are liabilities but add some veteran presence to calm the boys down and some extra motivation I am sure.

I actually really like how the lines have been recently, no 4th line, no lines have been liabilities and we have still gotten players ice time.

 

[Confucius]

Nash is going to be the odd man out, don't know why we bothered getting him. Maybe for depth in case of injury.

 

[34]

It should be Thornton, but wont be. I think it'll be Nash.

It should be Thornton.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Thornton needs to pick it up and go to the net or do something. Zero points and 5 shots last 11 games speaks volumes to it being him easily.

 

[Antropovsky]

Jumbo and Giraffe will have rotating game-day injuries.

In the games I've watched especially recently I thought Engvall has been fantastic in his role. When he and Mikheyev are on a line together their speed is constantly breaking up opposition chances and pushing on offense. I remember seeing an opposition appear to be on a odd man rush only to see these two big speeders close off the gap and break up the play.

Engvall and Mikheyev look like they could solidify our 3rd line long term, if they keep up their dedication on defense.

 

[Menzinger]

Obviously depends on what happens between now and the tdl.

I doubt it will be Thornton despite what some people think. They're not going to do that to a team leader unless it's 110% beyond doubt he's physically done (and he's not there yet).

Could be Gally or Engvall. I don't think Nash is guaranteed to play either right away - they may want to take their time easing him into the Leafs systems at practices .before starting him in the post seasons

 

[Mickey Marner]

Jumbo is obviously the least important player, depends who we add though.

 

[TMLAM34]

Thornton, but I don’t see Keefe taking him out of the lineup unfortunately so I put my vote for Engvall.

 

[123offtheglass]

When healthy I don't see both Engvall & Nash in the lineup at once, unless it's to give Grandpa Jumbo some rest (or Chucky slumps)

 

[saffronleaf]

So what do you think our forward lines will look like for the playoffs given recent additions (Foligno)? How would you want it to look?

There's a lot of ways to get creative about it, but a less creative approach should probably look something like this:

Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Galchenyuk - Tavares - Nylander
Foligno - Kerfoot - Mikheyev
Spezza/Robertson - Nash/Engvall - Thornton/Simmonds/Anderson

4th line is hard to pin down and really that's how it should be; we've got lots of flexibility and competition and whoever is doing well will get to play.

But as far as trying something different... a Foligno - Tavares - Hyman line might be interesting.

 

[Brobust]

Simmonds

 

[peconcan]

I hate Engvall so hope it’s him, but who knows it’ll all depend on who’s playing well at the time. Can’t see Joe being taken out unless he’s absolutely terrible in the first couple games. Coach’s and players all have way to much respect for him to be taken out.

 

[Mickey Marner]

I figure Hyman and Foligno alternate between lines 1-3 and Galchenyuk between lines 1-2. Scratch Thornton as much as possible. So many line combos now depending on what look we want in any given game. Very formidable lineup.

 

[4thline]

But as far as trying something different... a Foligno - Tavares - Hyman line might be interesting.

Have thought about it

Galch-Matthews-Marner - overpowering offense
Foligno-Tavares-Hyman - greasy, grindy, hem you in and score 1st line quality matchup line
Kerfoot-Engvall-Nylander - our version of Pittsburgh's HBK line, matchup nightmare for opposition
Soup-Nash-Simmonds- traditional grind out 4th line

Depending on the opposition I'd be tempted to but Spezza at 3C and hope for some lightning in a bottle. He deserves to play.

Maybe Nylaner-Kerf- Spezza with Spezza taking the draws, play Soup up every once in a while to keep Spez rested