Originally Posted by bansebe

Is this a joke? This is not in anyway what the lineup will look like, you might as well have Cujo ahead of Toskala!

What a mess! Firstly, Grabovski is getting 2nd line minutes this year, we didn't trade for him to have him sit as the 13th forward. Fletch also said he will get his ice time. Secondly, you didn't factor in Kulemin who is clearly on the team this year and most likely will also receive second line minutes. Tlusty is not a 3rd (or 4th - don't know why you have him twice) line player. He was last year but this year he is expected to do a little more. The guy played all last season - and played very composed I might add - with the big club and some of you are saying he may go down to the Marlies this year? What kind of backwards thinking is that for a rebuilding team? He put in 10 goals as a rookie, he's staying with the big club and he's going to get a chance to shine this year. You can safely assume one line that may have a chance to stick together all year and possibly longer is Tlusty-Grabo-Kulemin (Kulemin is a lefty who likes to play RW). These players all compliment each other with Tlusty being the grinder on the line, Grabo the playmaker and Kulemin the snipe. Lets hope we can see some production out of these guys.

Next up, Hagman is not a first line player, typical reaction to a new signing in leaf land... Blake/Steen has a better chance at playing in his spot on the first line. Hagman will be a 3rd line winger, most likely playing with Stajan and whomever doesn't squeeze into that first line (Blake/Steen).

The 4th line will definitely include Hollweg, as Fletcher has mentioned publicly that he expects to see a lot of him this year. He will be joined by Mayers (again, who thinks this was a bad trade and this guy will be a scratch?? Just wait until you see him play Leaf fans will love this guy, heart and soul type player, also a leader) and one of Bell/Devereaux/Moore.

On D Stralman is EASILY in the top 6, maybe top 4. White will be on the outside looking in and I wouldn't expect to have both McCabe and Kubina in that lineup. Maybe in training camp but not throughout the season.

You also forgot about the new Swede Jonas Frogren coming over. Fletcher and Wilson will be giving him a shot at the top 6 as well.

Given that we're still in July, these lineups are really pointless since we can expect some more movement out of Fletch. Also, I wouldn't be surprised to see Mats resigning with us. Still fun to discuss though...

Here's my starting night lineup:

Poni-Antro-Blake
Tlusty-Grabo-Kulemin
Hagman-Stajan-Steen
Mayers-Moore-Hollweg
Devereaux/Bell

Kubina-Kaberle
Coliacovo-Finger
Stralman - Frogen
McCabe(?)/White/Kronvall

Not saying that lineup sticks but I think that's what we'll be seeing for Game #1 (assuming there is no Mats). With Sundin back it creates even more of a logjam on forward... expect movement if thats the case!

Originally Posted by Maddevil

I would like to be the first to welcome you all to the exciting defense fist brand of hockey we here in NJ have come to know and love. Much like our arch rivals the New York Rangers, the Leafs will now mold themselves after the hated Devlis in an attempt to regain a seed in the playoffs. Remember defense first. If you guys have any questions how this new system will manifest itself on the ice, feel free to drop me a line. This has been a public service announcement. Thank you.

Originally Posted by hockeyboy14

Ponikarovsky-Antropov-Hagman
Blake-Stajan-Steen
Tlusty-Moore-Bell
Mayers-Tlusty-Devereaux
Grabovski

Kubina-Kaberle
McCabe-Coliacovo
White-Finger
Stralman

Toskala
Cujo

It doesnt look like a bad roster at the moment. The center position is rather weak, but I really like the depth of the team and the grinders. The defensemen looks like last years, except Finger for Gill which I'm not to sure is an improvement. Cujo>Raycroft.

Originally Posted by AMinnes

Grabovski will be in thier - maybe even the 3rd line. McCabe as we know will probably not be there. And whoever thinks that White shouldn't be around is nuts, the guys a totally solid number 4 or 5 with offensive flair - way better in his own end than Stralman is at the moment. He had a bad plus minus last year but just look at Kaberle's if that's what we're basing goodness on. Finger is a sound homer - something the LEafs lack badly (should have brought Smith back). Bell is naturally a centre, as is Steen and Devereaux. Blake is also a right winger, as is Mayers, and Steen would play left if he's on the wing. Blake is a first line player (he's scored 40 in the league). If it were me, I'de line 'em up like this:

Ponikarovsky-Antropov-Blake
Steen-Stajan-Hagman
Tlusty-Moore-Mayers
Grabovski-Bell-Devereaux
Kulemin
Holweg

Grabovski & Tlusty could go on either 3 or 4, as could Deveraux.

Kubina-Kaberle
Van Ryn-Coliacovo
Frogren-Finger
Stralman - White

Toskala
Cujo

Even though I don't like Kaberle playing with other offensive guys, what else could you do. They have a little more sandpaper this year, which is great because they have been pretty weak the last couple of years. Do not underestimate the impact of Jamal Mayers, players fear him, and the fans are going to love the big hits he lays out. Hopefully Bell can get his crap together. Ron Wilson is a decent defensive coach, and remember that Toskala wasn't the go to guy until late December last year, so don't be suprised if the Leafs don't suck that bad, however don't be suprised to see some boring hard-core trap hockey either.

Originally Posted by TylerDCA

No way Stralman sits. The way things are he is probably the best prospect in the system right now.

White is out of that group for sure, he just isn't skilled enough to make up for his lack of size.

As well Fletcher said the Kulemin and Grabovski will get a shot at the top 6. Not a hope that Kulemin is riding the bench.

Originally Posted by AMinnes

Don't get me wrong, some day Stralman will be good, but he was getting rag-dolled last year, and was a defensive siv.

Originally Posted by TylerDCA

Yep, and most of the time he still looked better than White who had 2 full years of NHL hockey on him.

Stralman's cap isn't top 4 its top 2, where as White is more like a 5-6. White has a good contract and potential, with the way things look (the numbers but not depth on D) I could really see him getting packaged.

Originally Posted by TylerDCA

Yep, and most of the time he still looked better than White who had 2 full years of NHL hockey on him.

Stralman's cap isn't top 4 its top 2, where as White is more like a 5-6. White has a good contract and potential, with the way things look (the numbers but not depth on D) I could really see him getting packaged.