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AmazedRink 10-05-2007, 03:05 PM Since the lines seem to be in a bit of a juggle, with the team feeling out the new players and playing in increased roles with Wellwood, Colaiacovo on the IR and Mark Bell suspended.
We'll update this as the season goes on and discuss potential new line-up combos or familiar ones that stick together.
As of now your Toronto Maple Leafs are:
1st Line:
Antropov - Sundin - Blake
Bad things can't really be said about this line so far in the season. Mats has 1 goal and 2 assists in 2 games already. He's tied Sittler, and the assists to his goal were his 2 wingers. Blake adds a whole new dimension to our Leafs and will be a fan favourite with his crackling style of play. Antropov seems to be ready to take on the expectations of being drafted 10th overall, he is playing on our top line and does not seem lost.
2nd Line
Steen - Stajan - Ponikarovsky
Stajan has 2 goals in 2 games, and both of them were the result of taking your opportunities when they come. Stajan seems ready to bring his offensive game to the next level, if he can sustain the role. Steen has come to this season sporting shiny new wheels, zipping around the ice pushing around. Ponikarovsky will be looked upon to build on a career year, he skates like the wind for a 6'4 tower which is great.
3rd Line
Tucker - Pohl - Kilger
Not too sure about this line, they played pretty mediocre last game,and plus I didnt really watch them too much. Tucker seems to have had a bad start so far to the season. Pohl can create offence but it seems hes destined to be a checker, that can be relied to pot a few. Kilger's got a bomb, he needs someone to pass it to him.
4th Line
Battaglia - Newbury - Deveraux
This line was okay, grinded it out pretty well. Open for debate with all the potential players.
DEFENCE
Kaberle-McCabe
Played for years, amazing on the Powerplay, but not so far this season.
Kubina-White
White has played amazing so far, IMO. He is still the best trade bait but right now he is of far more value to this team than on the trade market. Kubina has made some great defensive plays and so has White. They seem to play very well together, from what I noticed. This pairing should be kept together.
Gill-Wozinewski
Well, our new shutdown pairing. I like what it has to offer, and the offence generated has been surprising. Gill and Woz both have 2 assists on the season.
Goaltender:
Starter: Vesa Toskala.
His play yesterday was amazing, I felt comfortable with him in net. He just needs to get to know our rivals a bit more before he'll start heating up. Oodles of potential for our team.
1B goalie, but not the Starter: Raycroft.
He'll get his fair share of games, but unless he overtakes Toskala with his play, he'll remain 2nd fiddle.
What do you think the lines should be?
3rd Line
Tucker - Pohl - Kilger
4th Line
Battaglia - Newbury - Deveraux
What do you think the lines should be?
Tucker and Devo should be switched around.
Devo - Pohl - Kilger
Battaglia - Newbury - Tucker
Then increase the time of the 4th line by a few minutes to maybe 8 or 9. Tucker will get up to 12-13 by playing on the PP.
Tucker can also save his body for the playoffs when we all know he comes with his A game.
Lets let ATOI by the coach dictate who is in and how
Last game ATOI
7). Kilger ...................13:34 mins
8). Tucker .................12:47
9). Pohl ....................10:25
10) Devereaux.............7:46
11) Battaglia ..............3:02
12) Newbury ..............1:36
The previous game ..
11) Battaglia ..............3:09
12) Newbury ..............2:57
That means Battaglia and Newbury are hanging by a thread and will be the ones removed when Welly and Bell return ..
That would then make the lines likely look something like
Blake ...... Sundin ..... Antropov
Poni ....... Welly ....... Steen
Pohl ....... Stajan ..... Tucker
Kilger ..... Bell ...........Devereaux (checking line)
That will give coach Maurice more useable players as he has really shortened his bench after only 2 games and needs Welly and Bell back ..
SpeakerForTheDead 10-05-2007, 07:06 PM I don't see the need just yet to split up the Poni-Stajan-Steen line. I would put Wellwood in between Bell and Tucker and see how that goes.
Squiffy 10-05-2007, 07:10 PM I think I'd give Bell a shot on the wing on your third line Mess, and drop Pohl to fourth centre. Although I like the idea of the fourth line you list as a good checking line, I dislike Pohl as a third line winger more.
Edit: Or even better, give Tlusty a whirl on that third line wing, Pohl to the bench, and leave that fourth line, I do like the concept.
I think I'd give Bell a shot on the wing on your third line Mess, and drop Pohl to fourth centre. Although I like the idea of the fourth line you list as a good checking line, I dislike Pohl as a third line winger more.
Edit: Or even better, give Tlusty a whirl on that third line wing, Pohl to the bench, and leave that fourth line, I do like the concept.
That could happen ..
I was basing my guess on Maurice telling Mark Bell that he intended to utilize him as a center this season and use him in checking shutdown type role ..
I would do as you suggest though and drop Pohl to the 4th line .. Bell is a proven NHLer .. Pohl is really still at this point only a 4th liner and just above an AHLer in true abilities..
As we can see Maurice 4th line gets little ATOI and less then 10 minutes in average..
SnipeCheeseAllDay 10-05-2007, 07:54 PM Steen - Sundin - Blake
Poni - Wellwood - Antropov
Bell - Stajan - Tucker
Devereaux - Newbury - Pohl
Kaberle - McCabe
Kubina - Colaiacavo
Stralman - Gill/White
Woz
Toskala
Squiffy 10-05-2007, 07:59 PM Hopefully that's what PM does.. though frankly, I don't like Pohl in that fourth line spot, just doesn't fit his game or what that line should hypothetically be. For the life of me though, I can't think of who I would like in that spot alternatively.
I don't see Tlusty or Williams taking that third line wing spot realistically, much as I personally might like to see it tried. Who fits that fourth line spot?
Hopefully that's where trading a defenseman comes in.
Hopefully that's what PM does.. though frankly, I don't like Pohl in that fourth line spot, just doesn't fit his game or what that line should hypothetically be. For the life of me though, I can't think of who I would like in that spot alternatively.
I don't see Tlusty or Williams taking that third line wing spot realistically, much as I personally might like to see it tried. Who fits that fourth line spot?
Hopefully that's where trading a defenseman comes in.
maybe...
1: Blake-Sundin-Antro
2a: Poni-Stajan-Steen
2b: Tucker-Wellwood-Bell
4: Devereaux-Newbury-Salmelainen
Kaberle-Kubina
McCabe-White
Gill-Woz/Cola
Toskala
Raycroft
Scratches: Woz/Cola, Gamache/Devs/Salmelainen, Belak
_________________________________________________
The 2a line is solid as a shut-down type of line, to use against other team's top lines (when necessary), and this gives us 3 solid scoring lines, with solid D. Plus, our extras would mainly be guys who bring something the team would potentially need to the table (Woz=D, Carlo=Physical, Gamache=skill, Devs=heart, Salmelainen=speed, Belak=Fighting)
Hopefully that's what PM does.. though frankly, I don't like Pohl in that fourth line spot, just doesn't fit his game or what that line should hypothetically be. For the life of me though, I can't think of who I would like in that spot alternatively.
Tucker, then give him massive PP minutes to make up for the time lost. 5 on 5 he's a non factor and poor defensively on the PP he's gold when he has a setup man.
AmazedRink 10-06-2007, 02:10 AM Anyone remember the Kid Line?
Anyone remember the Kid Line?
Which one?
OLD OLD SCHOOL (keon days)
or
Clark Leeman Courtnal ??
Moray 10-06-2007, 09:08 AM Blake-Sundin-Antropov
Bell-Wellwood-Poni
Steen-Stajan-Pohl
Kilger-Devereaux-Tucker
Kaberle-Kubina
Mccabe-Coliacovo
Gill-White
Toskala
Raycroft
So far I haven't been impressed by Tucker at all but he could easily take over pohl's spot on the 3rd line
AmazedRink 10-07-2007, 01:21 AM Wow what a game against Montreal, leafs pulled out the OT win after an awesome penalty kill.
With Ponikarovsky stepping up, I think he's showing his season last year was not a fluke. He has chemistry with Sundin too, from playing with him a lot from last year. We've been focusing on Nik this whole time because he has chemistry with Sundin as well. Nik and Poni.. no more needs to be said. If all 3 linemates have chemistry with each other, it seems simple enough to leave what ain't broke alone. With the maturation of Antropov and Ponikarovsky, another year of pro under their belt,not to mention experience playing with Sundin, one of the elites, they will be better.
So this leaves us with Blake on the 2nd line. What would the best combo for him be?
JerseyMike 10-07-2007, 01:33 AM In a drunken stuper...
I've suggested these lines:
Blake - Sundin - Tucker
Antropov - Stajan - Poni
Steen - Wellwood - Tucker
Kilger - Pohl - Newbury
AmazedRink 10-07-2007, 01:36 AM In a drunken stuper...
I've suggested these lines:
Blake - Sundin - Tucker
Antropov - Stajan - Poni
Steen - Wellwood - Tucker
Kilger - Pohl - Newbury
In your drunken stupor, have you noticed the way Tucker's been playing?
mooseOAK* 10-07-2007, 09:21 AM Wow what a game against Montreal, leafs pulled out the OT win after an awesome penalty kill.
With Ponikarovsky stepping up, I think he's showing his season last year was not a fluke. He has chemistry with Sundin too, from playing with him a lot from last year. We've been focusing on Nik this whole time because he has chemistry with Sundin as well. Nik and Poni.. no more needs to be said. If all 3 linemates have chemistry with each other, it seems simple enough to leave what ain't broke alone. With the maturation of Antropov and Ponikarovsky, another year of pro under their belt,not to mention experience playing with Sundin, one of the elites, they will be better.
So this leaves us with Blake on the 2nd line. What would the best combo for him be?
Exactly what I thought, the Antropov-Sundin-Ponikarovsky line should have never been taken apart. I guess that Maurice had to try Blake with Sundin because he was signed to the big deal but leaving well enough alone sometimes works.
The Caveman 10-07-2007, 11:04 AM I always thought that Blake would be great with Welly..When he gets back I would go.
Poni-Sundin-Antro
Blake-Welly-Steen
Tucker-Stajan-Pohl
Devo (battaglia)-Kilger-Newbury
Orignally I hads steen on the first line and Antro on the second, but it seems like nick and Poni are playing well together..and it makes a huge *********g line!
though I am not convinced about kilger.. I would rather have Tony Salmelainen up there and turn him into a good d-oriented forward.
sprout 10-07-2007, 01:03 PM - The Toronto Maple Leafs could be considering signing UFA centre Dave Scatchard as a depth acquisition.
Spector's Note: I don't think the Leafs are done "tweaking" their roster this season, but I don't expect any significant moves until at least the end of October as management evaluates the roster.
http://www.spectorshockey.net/rumors.html
sprout 10-07-2007, 01:09 PM in which case ... I like:
Ponikarovsky-Sundin-Antropov
Blake-Wellwood-Tucker
Bell-Stajan-Steen
Kilger-Scatchard-Devereaux
http://www.forecaster.ca/thestar.com/hockey/player.cgi?382
Scatchard if healthy, along with Mark Bell would add the toughness the team lacks. Blake and Tucker will infuriate whatever team we play with their nastiness and what makes it even more damning is all the goals the line will score with Wellwood setting them up.
I like!
JoeParez 10-07-2007, 01:10 PM With the current roster:
Poni (Blake) - Sundin - Antropov
Blake (Poni) - Stajan - Steen
Kilger - Pohl - Tucker
Battaglia - Newbury - Devereaux
With Full Roster:
Poni (Blake) - Sundin - Antropov
Blake (Poni) - Wellwood - Steen
Stajan - Bell - Tucker
Kilger - Pohl - Devereaux
I don't justify dropping Stajan as the 4th line centre. He's earned his keep at at least the 3rd line. PM stated that he will use Bell as a centre, so the only spot really, is the third line. I would like to see Poni and Blake rotate, but I think and ultra fast, and skilled second line of Blake - Wellwood - Steen, would look really good. Especially with a bigger, more motivated Steen.
sprout 10-07-2007, 01:19 PM Anytime I see Tucker on the third line, I wonder isn't that the checking line?
If there's a puck behind Andrew Raycroft, odds are Tucker is in the other teams offensive zone wondering where everyone went.
We're paying his salary, he loves to play with Wellwood and Blake is fast enough to play in the offensive or defensive zone as required. Wellwood and Tucker are not defensive players. They should be second line scoring threats.
SpeakerForTheDead 10-07-2007, 01:37 PM Poni-Sundin-Antropov
Blake-Wellwood-Bell
Tucker-Stajan-Steen
Kilger-Pohl-Devereaux
Pinto 10-07-2007, 01:45 PM - The Toronto Maple Leafs could be considering signing UFA centre Dave Scatchard as a depth acquisition.
Spector's Note: I don't think the Leafs are done "tweaking" their roster this season, but I don't expect any significant moves until at least the end of October as management evaluates the roster.
http://www.spectorshockey.net/rumors.html
I'd personally like to see that happen. I've been a fan of his since '01-'02 and would be a solid addition to the 4th line/PK duty. He would add another huge body to the line-up and him along with Bell coming back would make this a real nasty team to play against.
SpeakerForTheDead 10-07-2007, 01:48 PM I'd personally like to see that happen. I've been a fan of his since '01-'02 and would be a solid addition to the 4th line/PK duty. He would add another huge body to the line-up and him along with Bell coming back would make this a real nasty team to play against.
With a healthy lineup, I'd prefer Scatchard on the 4th line instead of Pohl.
Pinto 10-07-2007, 01:55 PM With a healthy lineup, I'd prefer Scatchard on the 4th line instead of Pohl.
As would I, over Battaglia as well.
AmazedRink 10-08-2007, 01:05 PM what do people think of this top 9 when Bell and Welly are back
Poni Sundin Antro
Bell Wellwood Blake
Steen Stajan Tucker
Or maybe we should switch Bell and Tucker, even though Tucks doesn't deserve the 2nd line icetime, he could bring up his play with Wellwood, and make a super scoring pest line in Blake and Tucker, Welly feeding them :D
The_Chosen_One 10-08-2007, 09:18 PM Blake - Sundin - Antropov
Bell - Wellwood - Tucker
Poni - Stajan - Steen
At times, Poni may be swapped with Blake, resulting in 3 potent scoring lines. Even without swaps, we have three credible scoring lines, with near-50pts for each on the third line.
AmazedRink 10-09-2007, 12:44 AM Blake - Sundin - Antropov
Bell - Wellwood - Tucker
Poni - Stajan - Steen
At times, Poni may be swapped with Blake, resulting in 3 potent scoring lines. Even without swaps, we have three credible scoring lines, with near-50pts for each on the third line.
I wouldn't jump to say that right now, but the potential for that is very much there.
BlueForever 10-09-2007, 07:47 AM I have been saying before the season started that Sundin needs to be playing with Antropov and Ponikarovksi. It took Maurice 8 periods of hockey to get it. As I mentioned in previous threads the lines should be as follows:
Ponikarovski-Sundin-Antropov
Blake-Stajan-Steen
Kilger-Pohl-Tucker
Battaglia-Newbury-Deveraux
Once Wellwood and Bell are back the lines should be as follows:
Ponikarovski-Sundin-Antropov
Blake-Wellwood-Tucker
Bell-Stajan-Steen
Kilger-Newbury-Deveraux
Spares: Pohl, Battaglia, Belak
This gives the Leafs a line which causes havoc with their size on the top line, 2 lines with speed, grit and scoring ability and another line that can bang bodies around. It was a no brainer from the get go and if they had these lines together against Ottawa they would have take at least one of the games. There are not too many defence pairings that can handle the size of the Sundin line, not to mention the captain himself feels comfortable with the 2.
I think they should ride it out... what are your thoughts?
Mr Scarface* 10-09-2007, 08:05 AM When Pokahonksy starts to play bad and wear down, then put fast Blake with Sundin. That Poni - Sundin - Antropov like dominated those plays on last game. Sometimes is good to have more speed though on the first line, against certain teams, who have huge, slow d-men. Against players like Boullion, it's good to have towers like Poni - Sundin - Antropov, those Boullion guys have to take penalties in overtime!!!:biglaugh::biglaugh:
Watsatheo 10-09-2007, 08:12 AM I find it odd a 5"8 200ish Bouillion was out there to cover a 6"5 230ish Sundin in overtime .
Mr Scarface* 10-09-2007, 08:17 AM I find it odd a 5"8 200ish Bouillion was out there to cover a 6"5 230ish Sundin in overtime .
Oh, I didn't. That coach named Carbonneau is easily the worst coach in the league. I have said this and wrote about this many many times too. That shows you Montreal can't win important games with a guy like Carbo behind the bench. Too bad.
Evil Chris 10-09-2007, 08:37 AM My thoughts are that there are too many armchair coaches. ;)
As i posted in the summertime, i think maurice will try many things with the lines, but will eventually settle with (when everyone is healthy):
Poni - Sundin - Antropov
Blake - Wellwood - Tucker
Steen - Stajan - Bell
Kilger - Pohl - Devereaux
Kaberle - Kubina
McCabe - Colaiacovo
Gill - White
Toskala
Raycroft
Leaf Lander 10-10-2007, 06:27 PM in which case ... I like:
Ponikarovsky-Sundin-Antropov
Blake-Wellwood-Tucker
Bell-Stajan-Steen
Kilger-Scatchard-Devereaux
http://www.forecaster.ca/thestar.com/hockey/player.cgi?382
Scatchard if healthy, along with Mark Bell would add the toughness the team lacks. Blake and Tucker will infuriate whatever team we play with their nastiness and what makes it even more damning is all the goals the line will score with Wellwood setting them up.
I like!
I am with you on blake and tucker. wellwood is ideal but thats 3 small players on one line
why not this:
Ponikarovsky-Sundin-Wellwood
Blake-Antropov -Tucker
Bell-Stajan-Steen
Kilger-Scatchard-Devereaux
antropov has a large phsyical prescence and he has hockey sense he just doenst always have hockey smarts. Thats where I d like to se jason blake come into this lien as the brain tucker is the ehart and antropov is the braun.
sundi nand well wood r gifted offensive players who will only lift ponis career to fit well on this top line.
stajan and steen need to perfom quick or get out of hogtown!Can't wait tio se what bell brngs to the table
line 4 to be determined
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