2020-2021 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[CarltonTheBear]

I don't disagree, per se. But the function of the shutdown line is to make nothing happen at our net, so while it's hard thankless work, I can't say that it takes a talent our roster does not have. Getting a top-line capable complementary winger is harder and Hyman is the only one left who fits the bill.

Keefe will have lots of options. If he thinks Hyman is the only guy who could/should replace Thornton then that's fine, but the Tavares line will need to take on more match-ups. Maybe that requires Mikheyev replacing Vesey on it, and that's fine too. This option stacks our top-6 but leaves our bottom-6 looking a little weak.

He could also keep the checking line in tact and throw in a guy like Barabanov or Simmonds on the top line just to see if they could fill that role temporarily.

Or maybe the middle ground option is to take Mikheyev off the checking line to replace Thornton and have Barabanov or Engvall take the spot on the 3rd line. While I like Mikheyev I don't think his presence is as essential to the line's success as Hyman's so that might work.

There's lot of options that I'd be open to seeing Keefe try... except the Hyman-less checking line one.

[Guilt Trip]

I don't disagree, per se. But the function of the shutdown line is to make nothing happen at our net, so while it's hard thankless work, I can't say that it takes a talent our roster does not have. Getting a top-line capable complementary winger is harder and Hyman is the only one left who fits the bill.

Keefe will have lots of options. If he thinks Hyman is the only guy who could/should replace Thornton then that's fine, but the Tavares line will need to take on more match-ups. Maybe that requires Mikheyev replacing Vesey on it, and that's fine too. This option stacks our top-6 but leaves our bottom-6 looking a little weak.

He could also keep the checking line in tact and throw in a guy like Barabanov or Simmonds on the top line just to see if they could fill that role temporarily.

Or maybe the middle ground option is to take Mikheyev off the checking line to replace Thornton and have Barabanov or Engvall take the spot on the 3rd line. While I like Mikheyev I don't think his presence is as essential to the line's success as Hyman's so that might work.

There's lot of options that I'd be open to seeing Keefe try... except the Hyman-less checking line one.

I agree. I think he should put Vesey on the checking line and move Mikheyev up. Like you said, try Barabanov or Simmonds with one of the top 2 lines and see how it goes. If Barabanov is this supposed puck hound, we'll see it soon enough.

[CarltonTheBear]

Forward Joey Anderson has been added to today's practice group. #LeafsForever

— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) January 21, 2021

It's on.

[Guilt Trip]

Forward Joey Anderson has been added to today's practice group. #LeafsForever

— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) January 21, 2021

It's on.

Moves could be coming today...wonder which way the Leafs will go. LTIR, Emergency or demote Lehtonen and use 2 of Boyd, Anderson, Brooks.

[Bullfrog]

Keefe will have lots of options. If he thinks Hyman is the only guy who could/should replace Thornton then that's fine, but the Tavares line will need to take on more match-ups. Maybe that requires Mikheyev replacing Vesey on it, and that's fine too. This option stacks our top-6 but leaves our bottom-6 looking a little weak.

He could also keep the checking line in tact and throw in a guy like Barabanov or Simmonds on the top line just to see if they could fill that role temporarily.

Or maybe the middle ground option is to take Mikheyev off the checking line to replace Thornton and have Barabanov or Engvall take the spot on the 3rd line. While I like Mikheyev I don't think his presence is as essential to the line's success as Hyman's so that might work.

There's lot of options that I'd be open to seeing Keefe try... except the Hyman-less checking line one.

Yep, lots of options. I'm somewhat hesitant to move Mikheyev up for the same reason as you. There needs to be some offensive threat on the third line.

I might actually try Simmonds or even Spezza on the top line. Spezza's got the mind for it.

[herman]

#Leafs lines at practice:

Vesey-Brooks*-Marner
Nylander-Tavares-Hyman
Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Simmonds
Barabanov-Engvall-Spezza

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Bogosian
Dermott-Lehtonen

SRS: Anderson, Hutchinson

*presumably a placeholder for Matthews

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) January 21, 2021

Matthews was on the ice briefly but left as the practice got underway.

[Chris]

Keefe will have lots of options. If he thinks Hyman is the only guy who could/should replace Thornton then that's fine, but the Tavares line will need to take on more match-ups. Maybe that requires Mikheyev replacing Vesey on it, and that's fine too. This option stacks our top-6 but leaves our bottom-6 looking a little weak.

He could also keep the checking line in tact and throw in a guy like Barabanov or Simmonds on the top line just to see if they could fill that role temporarily.

Or maybe the middle ground option is to take Mikheyev off the checking line to replace Thornton and have Barabanov or Engvall take the spot on the 3rd line. While I like Mikheyev I don't think his presence is as essential to the line's success as Hyman's so that might work.

There's lot of options that I'd be open to seeing Keefe try... except the Hyman-less checking line one.

Yep, lots of options. I'm somewhat hesitant to move Mikheyev up for the same reason as you. There needs to be some offensive threat on the third line.

I might actually try Simmonds or even Spezza on the top line. Spezza's got the mind for it.

He may have the mind for it but what else? Thornton obviously has the mind for it but had nothing else to offer and was a drag on the line. They need someone who can at the least keep up with Matthews and Marner in terms of skating. Spezza? Sure, try it but I don't think it'll work. Same with Vesey, too slow. Better chances of meshing with someone like Engvall, Milkheyev, Hyman (obviously). I'd even consider trying Barabanov (see what he's got) or Brooks, though I'm not sure if Brooks is quick enough either.

Anderson is interesting but I've never really seen him play.

[CarltonTheBear]

#Leafs lines at practice:

Vesey-Brooks*-Marner
Nylander-Tavares-Hyman
Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Simmonds
Barabanov-Engvall-Spezza

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Bogosian
Dermott-Lehtonen

SRS: Anderson, Hutchinson

*presumably a placeholder for Matthews

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) January 21, 2021

Not the lines I would have predicted but I'm assuming this falls into the "no more shutdown line+we don't want to decimate our bottom-6" category of options.

Hopefully Simmonds makes the most of this opportunity. Montreal fight aside I think he's been a tad underwhelming so far. In his defence his usage/minutes have been pretty limited/sporadic.

[L K]

Hopefully just a maintenance day after playing Matthews half the game for the first 5?

[CarltonTheBear]

Hopefully just a maintenance day after playing Matthews half the game for the first 5?

Reports were that he came on the ice and then left pretty quickly. Could be absolutely nothing, but a scheduled maintenance day seems unlikely considering that.

[herman]

Sheldon Keefe on Auston Matthews: "No real update. He wasn't feeling great today coming off the game yesterday."

Will have an update in the morning.

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) January 21, 2021

It appears that the #Leafs have made the following moves:

M. Lehtonen -> from NHL to Taxi Squad
A. Brooks -> from Taxi Squad to NHL
J. Anderson -> from the Marlies to NHL

If this is correct, it would bring them $9,325 below the ceiling. An ideal cap to nearly max LTIR relief.

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) January 21, 2021

[Guilt Trip]

I think they're waiting to see Joe's MRI results before deciding what they're going to do.

[herman]

It appears that the #Leafs have made the following moves:

M. Lehtonen -> from NHL to Taxi Squad
A. Brooks -> from Taxi Squad to NHL
J. Anderson -> from the Marlies to NHL

If this is correct, it would bring them $9,325 below the ceiling. An ideal cap to nearly max LTIR relief.

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) January 21, 2021

The Maple Leafs have placed forward Nick Robertson on long term injured reserve.

— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) January 21, 2021

As mentioned earlier, the #Leafs made several moves today to get them as close to the ceiling as possible in order to maximize their Salary Pool relief prior to placing Roberson on LTIR.

The result is an ACSL of $81,490,675, and $821,667 in relief with a roster of 22. pic.twitter.com/WpW6iTqy6r

— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) January 21, 2021

[Guilt Trip]

Tomorrow I think we may see both Lehtonen and Barabanov or Engvall moved to the active roster and Brooks and Anderson back down. Of course if Thornton is long term and goes on LTIR, they could use all 3. They could still go 11F, 7D and sit out 1 forward if they choose to. I think they have to keep playing Lehtonen and get him up to speed. I haven't been too impressed with Demott yet.
We'll see what happens to Joe soon.

[CarltonTheBear]

Joe Thornton has a rib fracture and will miss at least four weeks.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 22, 2021