Line Combos: Why is Kozun on the 4th Line?

[amorak]

I am wondering what everyone thinks - It strikes me as odd, given how well he did on the 2nd line in game #1, why they have him down on the 4th. Really seems like a poor fit, when he did much better on a skill line...

What do you guys/gals think? Shouldn't he be playing 2/3 line minutes with some more skilled line mates?

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[Super Mega]

I am wondering what everyone thinks - It strikes me as odd, given how well he did on the 2nd line in game #1, why they have him down on the 4th. Really seems like a poor fit, when he did much better on a skill line...

What do you guys/gals think? Shouldn't he be playing 2/3 line minutes with some more skilled line mates?

because lines need balance and purpose

adding Winnik to the top line gives a guy that can get into dirty areas, play more defensively - Winnik isnt useless offensively either - I love seeing him up

and i love the physical/cycling line of komarov - santa - clarkson - clarkie looks great with them

so that really leaves Kozun making sense on the 4th line, the thing is the leafs actually have a real 4th line that can play 8-11 mins a night - I dont see this as a waste for Kozun at all - if anything its a bit of a waste for Holland

 

[JoeyBeans]

He belongs on the 4th line.

 

[Mystifo]

Winnik is working with Kadri and Lupul and Clarkson works with Komarov and Santa. No need to break up what works.

 

[Pholus]

It's not like the other guys on the 4th line have no skill, and the 3rd line has been the most consistent so far so I would keep them together. I thought he didn't look terrible with Lupul and Kadri, but maybe this will just be a temporary thing? (although Carlyle is still the coach so he might be with the Marlies by the end of the week lol)

 

[ThrilloftheDream]

Because it was too good to be true that the performances he put up in the pre-season and in game 1 could stick. Not to say that it won't come back, but for the time being, I don't think it's a bad thing to have him on the 4th line. Although, I do think it's just a matter of time before he's on the Marlies.

 

[sommervr]

Because Randy

 

[Canada4Gold]

Because he shouldn't be getting top 6 minutes?

This guy is a fringe NHLer. Sure he won a spot on the team to start the year. Sure he is a skilled guy, that doesn't mean he should get top 6 minutes. Any other team nobody would bat an eye, but we had a spot open on our top 6 which they tried him out in the first couple games.

In actuality he's lucky to be getting playing time, and should be happy getting 5-10 minutes a game with Holland/Panik. When he starts playing bad again he'll probably be a regular scratch or get demoted.

I couldn't believe my eyes when someone in my 10 team fantasy league drafted Kozun just because he was going to start the year in the top 6. Laughed for about 5 minutes straight.

First game Kozun played on the 4th line, we won, shocker. Wasn't his fault we lost the first 2 games, but we're going to lose a hell of a lot more than we win if we have Kozun in our top 6.

 

[amorak]

Fair points, thanks guys for the insight for a fringe-Leafs fan. Always struck me as odd, having seen him in junior as a huge points guy, to playing such an odd position.

I didn't think top 6, was thinking he's more a top 9 guy (3rd line), but a more balanced ice time where 3rd and 4th see comparable ice time makes sense!

 

[zeke]

because he's a mediocre AHLer?

 

[BonMorrison]

Because #CarlYOLO

 

[seanlinden]

Because he shouldn't be getting top 6 minutes?

This guy is a fringe NHLer. Sure he won a spot on the team to start the year. Sure he is a skilled guy, that doesn't mean he should get top 6 minutes. Any other team nobody would bat an eye, but we had a spot open on our top 6 which they tried him out in the first couple games.

In actuality he's lucky to be getting playing time, and should be happy getting 5-10 minutes a game with Holland/Panik. When he starts playing bad again he'll probably be a regular scratch or get demoted.

I couldn't believe my eyes when someone in my 10 team fantasy league drafted Kozun just because he was going to start the year in the top 6. Laughed for about 5 minutes straight.

First game Kozun played on the 4th line, we won, shocker. Wasn't his fault we lost the first 2 games, but we're going to lose a hell of a lot more than we win if we have Kozun in our top 6.

This.

The simple fact is, Kozun isn't a centre, and he isn't better than Kessel, JvR, or Lupul. JvR & Kessel compliment each other quite well, so those 3 can be concentrated onto 2 lines. Kozun really doesn't compliment Lupul, at all. The Kadri/Lupul combination needs a guy who's going to be solid defensively, and work the puck in the corners -- that's not Kozun's game.

Yeah, he's good defensively, but his real strength is when he gets the puck in open ice.

 

[KGL]

I like Kozun but I'm not too concerned about him being in the bottom 6. The thing is with this Leafs team, I feel like the third and fourth lines are pretty much interchangeable, both are passable as a third line. So I'd consider Kozun as being on the third line, which is a fine spot for him.

 

[Einzakin]

Seems people aren't addressing the question OP asked.

He was buzzing in the opener against Montreal. There was no reason to put him on the fourth line all of a sudden. Winnik is awesome but looks lost playing with skilled players IMO.

 

[Mitchy]

Because #CarlYOLO

Is that his new nickname?

 

[Semantics]

That line with Kozun was actually our second worst possession line against MTL at around 40% FF, only the top line was worse.

But with Winnik the second line has been our best possession line by a long shot. He's just better defensively and a lot stronger along the boards than Kozun, so I'm guessing that's the rationale.

It's still early and these are small sample sizes so I'm sure other players will get a shot on the 2nd line too.

 

[hotpaws]

The 2nd line needs a guy Like Winnick to pounds the boards and anchor it defensively . He'd give the 3rd line some offensive punch and I think he'd work well with Santa-Komo but DC's not getting moved down anytime soon.

This leaves him on the 4th line and soon to be back in the A unless something unexpected happens

 

[CanadasTeam]

Leafs can finally afford to roll 4 lines, several options for line shuffling which is a good problem to have.

Kozun may not land a top 9 spot yet but i don't see him getting sent down either. I think he already outplays Holland who might just end up with the same faith as Colborne if he doesn't pick up his production quick enough.