I don’t know how anyone can argue the Leafs D isn’t significantly better with Karlsson in and Gardiner out.

And I like Gardiner.

I’d probably split up Karlsson and Rielly, since they can both carry inferior partners, and then it makes the matchups more even... but yea, absolutely a better team.

But (frank) Ryan. He does not go on the top line. He gets Horton-ed
- Feeling Glucky?

It just depends which karlsson we get. Having been through what he has mentally I imagine last season is the worst he can be. Physically though...I don't know if that also played a part. I'd take the upgrade for sure....I guess I'm just not sure about the cost.

I wouldn't put ek and Reilly together either. I really do think Reilly is just starting to figure out what it means to be an elite dman. There are many times he looks like the best player on the ice....he just has to know when to unleash his inner beast and when to reign it in, which having just turned 24...I'm sure he will figure it out.

Truly a bizarro thread

- 21peter

What's the chart look like over the full course of the season though not just 17-22 games?

82 game pace*

Washington:

Carlson: 68
Niskanen: 35
Orlov: 31
Djoos: 18
Kempney: 11
Orpik: 10

Total: 173


Toronto:

Rielly: 56
Gardiner: 52
Dermott: 29
Hainsey: 24
Carrick: 23
Zaitsev: 18

Total: 202


BUT WE NEED KARLSSON

82 game pace*

Washington:

Carlson: 68
Niskanen: 35
Orlov: 31
Djoos: 18
Kempney: 11
Orpik: 10

Total: 173


Toronto:

Rielly: 56
Gardiner: 52
Dermott: 29
Hainsey: 24
Carrick: 23
Zaitsev: 18

Total: 202


BUT WE NEED KARLSSON
- Steven_Seagull

I think we need a few more dermotts personally. Either way every leaf I disliked is gone...qnd there are about 14 players on this team now I really like or love. Not a bad turnaround from when this team was 30th...and I loved only one guy and liked maybe 4.

82 game pace*

Washington:

Carlson: 68
Niskanen: 35
Orlov: 31
Djoos: 18
Kempney: 11
Orpik: 10

Total: 173


Toronto:

Rielly: 56
Gardiner: 52
Dermott: 29
Hainsey: 24
Carrick: 23
Zaitsev: 18

Total: 202


BUT WE NEED KARLSSON
- Steven_Seagull

Thank you gull

He's not new. He's Pen15 avoiding a ban.
- Unholy_Goalie

Except I’m not banned. Thanks for coming out

82 game pace*

Washington:

Carlson: 68
Niskanen: 35
Orlov: 31
Djoos: 18
Kempney: 11
Orpik: 10

Total: 173


Toronto:

Rielly: 56
Gardiner: 52
Dermott: 29
Hainsey: 24
Carrick: 23
Zaitsev: 18

Total: 202


BUT WE NEED KARLSSON
- Steven_Seagull

This.

I can’t understand the logic of trading away a 60+ point player (+picks and other assets) that’ll cost us $7mm, for a guy that is questionable to return to 2 years ago,is currently by definition a 60 point player, is soft in his own zone, and who will cost us $11mm a year.

That kind of dealing isn’t even good enough for GM mode in NHL18.

Why do I see these twitter lineups with human with Tavares? I thought that human couldn't be split from Matthews?

I think with the talk of balance and how babs likes to pair his forwards I think the lineup looks like this

Hyman Matthews nylander
Kap/Johnson Tavares marner
Marleau kadri brown
Johnson/kap ?? ??


Guys like linbolm the goat ennis leivo fight for the open spots

This.

I can’t understand the logic of trading away a 60+ point player (+picks and other assets) that’ll cost us $7mm, for a guy that is questionable to return to 2 years ago, is soft in his own zone, and who will cost us $11mm a year.

That kind of dealing isn’t even good enough for GM mode in NHL18.
- Pen15

Differing opinions. I happen to agree with yours. I actually want to see how much better this team plays with so much strength up the middle. I noticed a few things last season. ..whichever dman played with Matthews seemed to put up great numbers when on the ice with him. I want to see if jt has the same effect. Then seeing marker away from bozak and jvr and suddenly he went from worst plus minus on the team to the complete opposite. Plus the injection of speed with kapanen and johnsson. .....I really do think the leafs addressed a lot of their team defense issues with these changes alone.

This.

I can’t understand the logic of trading away a 60+ point player (+picks and other assets) that’ll cost us $7mm, for a guy that is questionable to return to 2 years ago,is currently by definition a 60 point player, is soft in his own zone, and who will cost us $11mm a year.

That kind of dealing isn’t even good enough for GM mode in NHL18.
- Pen15

People complain about gardiners defense and soft, so trade him for a guy with defensive deficiencies and is soft.

Doesn't address any of the issues they have now, just makes them stronger at a position they already strong at.

Differing opinions. I happen to agree with yours. I actually want to see how much better this team plays with so much strength up the middle. I noticed a few things last season. ..whichever dman played with Matthews seemed to put up great numbers when on the ice with him. I want to see if jt has the same effect. Then seeing marker away from bozak and jvr and suddenly he went from worst plus minus on the team to the complete opposite. Plus the injection of speed with kapanen and johnsson. .....I really do think the leafs addressed a lot of their team defense issues with these changes alone.
- mykokes

I agre with all of this.

Can't wait to watch this group together. Impossible to match up against.

Why do I see these twitter lineups with Hyman with Tavares? I thought that human couldn't be split from Matthews?

I think with the talk of balance and how babs likes to pair his forwards I think the lineup looks like this

Hyman Matthews nylander
Kap/Johnson Tavares marner
Marleau kadri brown
Johnson/kap ?? ??


Guys like linbolm the goat ennis leivo fight for the open spots
- burn

Cause those were words Babs said after acquiring Tavares. That being said, who knows what the actual Lineups will look like on opening night.

Differing opinions. I happen to agree with yours. I actually want to see how much better this team plays with so much strength up the middle. I noticed a few things last season. ..whichever dman played with Matthews seemed to put up great numbers when on the ice with him. I want to see if jt has the same effect. Then seeing marker away from bozak and jvr and suddenly he went from worst plus minus on the team to the complete opposite. Plus the injection of speed with kapanen and johnsson. .....I really do think the leafs addressed a lot of their team defense issues with these changes alone.
- mykokes

My thoughts exactly. All offensive lineups will have players who can actually backcheck and help out in our own zone. Therefore, our Defense should look much better out there without any changes on the back end.

Obviously a solid defensive defenseman could still be added if they are able to find someone who doesn't cost an arm and a leg, than do it. If not than its no big deal and let's see how the season plays out with who we have. I'm almost positive it'll be much better than last season.

Cause those were words Babs said after acquiring Tavares. That being said, who knows what the actual Lineups will look like on opening night.
- LeafGuy89

Really? I must have missed that part. I heard about marner with JT.


I don't get the logic behind having hyman stapled to Matthews for 2 years and then suddenly moving him to another line. Imo he doesn't belong on either of those lines

My thoughts exactly. All offensive lineups will have players who can actually backcheck and help out in our own zone. Therefore, our Defense should look much better out there without any changes on the back end.

Obviously a solid defensive defenseman could still be added if they are able to find someone who doesn't cost an arm and a leg, than do it. If not than its no big deal and let's see how the season plays out with who we have. I'm almost profile it'll be much better than last season.
- LeafGuy89

Maybe a steadying vet that can help in his own zone is a deadline deal.

That said the leafs a looking more for guys that get the puck in their zone and make a play to get it out of the zone and onto the stick of the explosive forwards. Not looking to find guys that play in their rather guys who can exit their zone.

Why do I see these twitter lineups with human with Tavares? I thought that human couldn't be split from Matthews?

I think with the talk of balance and how babs likes to pair his forwards I think the lineup looks like this

Hyman Matthews nylander
Kap/Johnson Tavares marner
Marleau kadri brown
Johnson/kap ?? ??


Guys like linbolm the goat ennis leivo fight for the open spots
- burn

I like these lines alot but the chosen one has already spoken.

Ryan* / Tavares / Marner
Marleau / Matthews / Kapanen
Hyman / Kadri / Brown
Johnsson / Letestu (1 year) / Ennis
Leivo

*(Max 4 AAV only if absolutely necessary)

Rielly / Karlsson (10 AAV)
Dermott / Zaitsev
Hainsey / Carrick
Borgman

Andersen
Lehtonen (1 year)
- Unholy_Goalie


(frank)ing garbage
He dosent know (frank) all .

I like these lines alot but the chosen one has already spoken.

Ryan* / Tavares / Marner
Marleau / Matthews / Kapanen
Hyman / Kadri / Brown
Johnsson / Letestu (1 year) / Ennis
Leivo

*(Max 4 AAV only if absolutely necessary)

Rielly / Karlsson (10 AAV)
Dermott / Zaitsev
Hainsey / Carrick
Borgman

Andersen
Lehtonen (1 year)
- Unholy_Goalie


(frank)ing garbage
He dosent know (frank) all .
- nbboy

Lmao yup, got a huge laugh at this and couldn't help but face palm while shaking my head at this lineup he proposed.

I like these lines alot but the chosen one has already spoken.

Ryan* / Tavares / Marner
Marleau / Matthews / Kapanen
Hyman / Kadri / Brown
Johnsson / Letestu (1 year) / Ennis
Leivo

*(Max 4 AAV only if absolutely necessary)

Rielly / Karlsson (10 AAV)
Dermott / Zaitsev
Hainsey / Carrick
Borgman

Andersen
Lehtonen (1 year)
- Unholy_Goalie


(frank)ing garbage
He dosent know (frank) all .
- nbboy

Maybe a steadying vet that can help in his own zone is a deadline deal.

That said the leafs a looking more for guys that get the puck in their zone and make a play to get it out of the zone and onto the stick of the explosive forwards. Not looking to find guys that play in their rather guys who can exit their zone.
- burn

Agreed. The Defense we have are all pretty good at getting that first pass out of our end. Obviously there are some hiccups at times but that happens with every team. All I'd like to see is our guys be a little more Physical in the corners and win those puck battles more, rather than going for those weak poke checks that more times than not, don't work whatsoever.

That Ozhiganov has a physical edge to his game, curious to see how he will look during the preseason and see if he is capable of cracking the opening roster.

I don't think Karlsson is a good idea... nothing against him..

I like these lines alot but the chosen one has already spoken.

Ryan* / Tavares / Marner
Marleau / Matthews / Kapanen
Hyman / Kadri / Brown
Johnsson / Letestu (1 year) / Ennis
Leivo

*(Max 4 AAV only if absolutely necessary)

Rielly / Karlsson (10 AAV)
Dermott / Zaitsev
Hainsey / Carrick
Borgman

Andersen
Lehtonen (1 year)
- Unholy_Goalie


(frank)ing garbage
He dosent know (frank) all .
- nbboy

The addition of Ryan in any capacity is enough to invalidate any opinion he has. Total moron.

The addition of Ryan in any capacity is enough to invalidate any opinion he has. Total moron.
- Steven_Seagull

Sens trying to include Ryan with karlsson to get out from under the contract, and he has them eating some of the contract.

Sens trying to include Ryan with karlsson to get out from under the contract, and he has them eating some of the contract.
- burn

- Leafs taking on Ryan’s contract
- having Ryan on the first line
- LOLtawa retaining 3.25 million for 4 years
- Karlsson making 1 million less than Doughty


But UG is a realist...and if you don’t accept his opinion as fact you’re not being objective...

Why do I see these twitter lineups with human with Tavares? I thought that human couldn't be split from Matthews?

I think with the talk of balance and how babs likes to pair his forwards I think the lineup looks like this

Hyman Matthews nylander
Kap/Johnson Tavares marner
Marleau kadri brown
Johnson/kap ?? ??


Guys like linbolm the goat ennis leivo fight for the open spots
- burn

Babcock gave a "summer lineup" during the Tavares presser; Marleau was on the wing with Matthews, Hyman would play with Tavares.

Why do I see these twitter lineups with human with Tavares? I thought that human couldn't be split from Matthews?

I think with the talk of balance and how babs likes to pair his forwards I think the lineup looks like this

Hyman Matthews nylander
Kap/Johnson Tavares marner
Marleau kadri brown
Johnson/kap ?? ??


Guys like linbolm the goat ennis leivo fight for the open spots
- burn

I thought someone posted Babs said Hyman would play with JT to start.