Spezza can still get around the ice.

Thornton is...uh...challenged.

Simmonds looks like he's wearing snowshoes out there.
- Atomic Wedgie

No way they’re together for the playoffs

I don't like that 4th line at all. Even for 7 minutes / night, that's a bad 7 minutes.
- Monkeypunk

I agree with you..

I would maybe try this lineup for Game 1 of the playoffs

Thornton-Matthews-Marner
Hyman-Tavares-Nylander
Foligno-Nash-Simmonds
Galchenyuk-Kerfoot-Spezza.

Filled out my census.

Don't even know the point in that one - we need to bring back the long form.

Nothing I filled out will ever help businesses looking to use demographics.

It's basically names and birthdates, then 6 questions hoping I'll say I can speak French.

Such stupidity from the Harper government.

I agree with you..

I would maybe try this lineup for Game 1 of the playoffs

Thornton-Matthews-Marner
Hyman-Tavares-Nylander
Foligno-Nash-Simmonds
Galchenyuk-Kerfoot-Spezza.
- PatC80

So crazy question:

Why does everyone (fans, media, Keefe) keep putting Thornton on the top line, while keeping Spezza buried?

If you want a veteran presence on the 1st line, let Spezza do it.

But it’s ok for Hyman who is better offensively?
- Canada Cup

Hyman is on the top line. What is your question?

I dunno about that. No doubt they have a mix of younger options available if it doesn’t work. No lineup is forever.

Do we see this “playoff roster” the last 2 games, or do they protect a couple key guys?
- Woderwick

I don't think there's any way they can fit that under the cap. Initially I thought there was some possible clause they could use to sneak their way (the regular season technically ended on May 8th by the original definition setup in the Cap clauses to begin the year), so if all salaries have been paid out, there is no cap! But Vegas was forced to play with 15 skaters instead of 18 due to cap issues, so clearly the "extension of the regular season to May 16th" somehow is also cap controlled, but unless they retroactively reapplied all cap management daily accrual and payouts for the entire year, salaries should still be paid out. It's all . . . confusing.

I don't know if this has been mentioned already, but I read on Twitter last night that the Toronto Rock are moving to Hamilton.

I've never been to a game, but this still feels like a bummer to me.

https://torontorock.com/n...e-home-games-to-hamilton/

Still keeping "Toronto" in the name, though.

I doubt that will help ticket sales.
- Atomic Wedgie

I had season tickets to the Rock for about 10-11 years but canceled them when I moved out to Grimsby (used to be in Burlington so the train ride was easy).

I'd definitely renew my seat if they do move to The Hammer. But... yeah, this feels like a death knell move.

I had season tickets to the Rock for about 10-11 years but canceled them when I moved out to Grimsby (used to be in Burlington so the train ride was easy).

I'd definitely renew my seat if they do move to The Hammer. But... yeah, this feels like a death knell move.
- mjones242

They've definitely moved to the Hammer - follow the link I provided.

They didn't like being the 4th priority tenant at the ACC (I'm trying to figure out who the 3rd one was).

Moving to Copps (or whatever the hell it is called now) will allow them to play the majority of their games on Saturday nights.

A timely tweet:

David Alter
@dalter

Keefe stresses not to read too much into what they did at practice today for the upcoming games.

2:03 PM · May 11, 2021·Twitter for iPhone

According to multiple Leafs reporters on Twitter, Andersen gets the start tomorrow night.

According to multiple Leafs reporters on Twitter, Andersen gets the start tomorrow night.
- Atomic Wedgie

I wonder who gets the start to begin the playoffs if Andersen plays well tomorrow.

What times the game tomorrow night
- Garnie

Lol

So crazy question:

Why does everyone (fans, media, Keefe) keep putting Thornton on the top line, while keeping Spezza buried?

If you want a veteran presence on the 1st line, let Spezza do it.
- Atomic Wedgie

It's not a bad idea, I would prefer Spezza than Thornton with MnM.

But since those two have no problems scoring, regardless of the winger, I would keep Folingo there since he's better, stronger and will drop the mitts to protect the line up better than Spezza.

And since JT/Nylander have mini slump issues, they should get Hyman.

Foligno, Matthews, Marner
Hyman, JT, Nylander
Galychenyuk, Nash, Micheyev
Spezza, Kerfoot, Simmonds
Thornton

Rielly, Brodie
Muzz, Holl
Sandin, Bogo
Dermott

Campbell
Andersen
Rittich


That would be my line up, and I feel very confident for the Leafs success with that line up.


That's the top 6. Period. IMHO.

I agree with you..

I would maybe try this lineup for Game 1 of the playoffs

Thornton-Matthews-Marner
Hyman-Tavares-Nylander
Foligno-Nash-Simmonds
Galchenyuk-Kerfoot-Spezza.
- PatC80

I hate Thornton on the top line. HATE. We love him because he's Jumbo Joe. That line is shorthanded when he's on the ice. He had some early success with the line that buoyed his numbers, but _watching_ the games lately, he misses most passes. He fails to put enough mustard on the passes. He is rarely in a strong enough supporting position. I think he's tired and can't keep up and isn't good enough to fight through top level competition either.

BUT, I like the gist of where you're coming from:

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

Maybe I'm ageist, but I don't like Simmonds or Thornton really. Simmonds has hardly brought the physical impact we expected, and the two or three times he's done something, he's been commended so loudly you'd think he did it all the time. He's more like an old iron golem or robotic relic . . .

"Stop pissing me off! Don't make me turn that thing on!"
"The rusty thing in the corner? Does it work?"
"Do you want to find out?"

Joe just had a 7 game point streak broken, and I personally think it's 'cos they were keeping his ice time down. Keep Joe to 9-11 minutes, and that's his sweet spot.

Filled out my census.

Don't even know the point in that one - we need to bring back the long form.

Nothing I filled out will ever help businesses looking to use demographics.

It's basically names and birthdates, then 6 questions hoping I'll say I can speak French.

Such stupidity from the Harper government.
- Atomic Wedgie

We got the short version. Others took an hour to fill out.

I don't think there's any way they can fit that under the cap. Initially I thought there was some possible clause they could use to sneak their way (the regular season technically ended on May 8th by the original definition setup in the Cap clauses to begin the year), so if all salaries have been paid out, there is no cap! But Vegas was forced to play with 15 skaters instead of 18 due to cap issues, so clearly the "extension of the regular season to May 16th" somehow is also cap controlled, but unless they retroactively reapplied all cap management daily accrual and payouts for the entire year, salaries should still be paid out. It's all . . . confusing.
- Monkeypunk

You’re right... it is just a practice after all.

According to multiple Leafs reporters on Twitter, Andersen gets the start tomorrow night.
- Atomic Wedgie

Imagine how excited Ottawa will be by a garbage-time win!

So crazy question:

Why does everyone (fans, media, Keefe) keep putting Thornton on the top line, while keeping Spezza buried?

If you want a veteran presence on the 1st line, let Spezza do it.
- Atomic Wedgie

Only because Matthews and Marner like Jumbo Joe so much

Only because Matthews and Marner like Jumbo Joe so much
- PatC80

Remember when Babcock wouldn't play Matthews and Marner together?

I miss that.

Spezza can still get around the ice.

Thornton is...uh...challenged.

Simmonds looks like he's wearing snowshoes out there.
- Atomic Wedgie

Spezza is a sharp cookie. That boy knows how to hockey. I’d go out on a limb and say he has the best hockey brain on that team. Love that guy.

Filled out my census.

Don't even know the point in that one - we need to bring back the long form.

Nothing I filled out will ever help businesses looking to use demographics.

It's basically names and birthdates, then 6 questions hoping I'll say I can speak French.

Such stupidity from the Harper government.
- Atomic Wedgie

I must have gotten the long version. There was a lot more to it than that.

I hate Thornton on the top line. HATE. We love him because he's Jumbo Joe. That line is shorthanded when he's on the ice. He had some early success with the line that buoyed his numbers, but _watching_ the games lately, he misses most passes. He fails to put enough mustard on the passes. He is rarely in a strong enough supporting position. I think he's tired and can't keep up and isn't good enough to fight through top level competition either.

BUT, I like the gist of where you're coming from:

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

Maybe I'm ageist, but I don't like Simmonds or Thornton really. Simmonds has hardly brought the physical impact we expected, and the two or three times he's done something, he's been commended so loudly you'd think he did it all the time. He's more like an old iron golem or robotic relic . . .

"Stop pissing me off! Don't make me turn that thing on!"
"The rusty thing in the corner? Does it work?"
"Do you want to find out?"

Joe just had a 7 game point streak broken, and I personally think it's 'cos they were keeping his ice time down. Keep Joe to 9-11 minutes, and that's his sweet spot.
- Monkeypunk

Thornton isn't much of anything. Same as Simmonds. He has been alright but just alright. I wanted neither of them really but it is what it is at this point. If they want their names on a cup, especially Thornton then he needs to realize where he's best suited.

I’m a simple guy and I know how you kids love your acronyms. To me, Hyman is better than Foligno so I want him playing more minutes. I think having potentially the best line in hockey operating full out when checking gets tough is worth a lot and Hyman helps with that. You can accomplish that without really losing any real defensive capacity.

Foligno will also score and if you’re worried about scoring, relace Mik.
- Canada Cup

Hyman gets tons of special teams mins too, but I hear ya. Just thought the HEM line was real good against the McD line and IMO Matthews and Marner could probably do what they do with either Foligno or Hyman.

But they’ll probably run with what you think...Hyman on 1, it’s just my 2 pennies.

I hate Thornton on the top line. HATE. We love him because he's Jumbo Joe. That line is shorthanded when he's on the ice. He had some early success with the line that buoyed his numbers, but _watching_ the games lately, he misses most passes. He fails to put enough mustard on the passes. He is rarely in a strong enough supporting position. I think he's tired and can't keep up and isn't good enough to fight through top level competition either.

BUT, I like the gist of where you're coming from:

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

Maybe I'm ageist, but I don't like Simmonds or Thornton really. Simmonds has hardly brought the physical impact we expected, and the two or three times he's done something, he's been commended so loudly you'd think he did it all the time. He's more like an old iron golem or robotic relic . . .

"Stop pissing me off! Don't make me turn that thing on!"
"The rusty thing in the corner? Does it work?"
"Do you want to find out?"

Joe just had a 7 game point streak broken, and I personally think it's 'cos they were keeping his ice time down. Keep Joe to 9-11 minutes, and that's his sweet spot.
- Monkeypunk

Thornton doesn't bug me on the top line, it's really a 2 man show..

I do like the idea of Foligno-Nash-Simmonds as a 3rd line.. They can all play physical.

I wonder who gets the start to begin the playoffs if Andersen plays well tomorrow.
- Scabeh

Allen