Is it just me, or are there 13 forwards and 8 defensemen? Anyway, I'm giving you 5 stars for the outside-the-box thinking.

They are just replacement players. The first 11 forwards and 7 defensemen are the ones to really worry about.

I like the idea enough for 5 stars, but I just don't know if Babcock would actually do it since he has a history of liking to run 4 lines.

Ya I thought about that too but still I think this would take mins off of both Hainsey and Zaitzev. They both typically play like 70% of the PK

Yeah this really isn't outside the box thinking (unless he wrote the article). It's been discussed before:
https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2018/07/09/leafs-notebook-john-tavares-edition-matchup-implications-11-7-cap-crunching-can-more-offense-help-the-defense/

Glad to see another person taking the Leafs away from conventional lineup construction. That said, I think you put too much emphasis on shutting other teams down rather than being the team other teams need to shut down. Also, if you want PK help, Marincin > Holl.

That's true, but I don't think Babcock is the biggest fan of Marincin.

Leafs don't have problem on defence with their top 5 guys....it's getting one of Carrick, Holl, Ozhiganov (all RHD) or Borgman and Rosen to be competent NHLers playing big minutes a game. And due to injury. teams need seven or eight competent Dmen during got course of the season. But finding seven competent NHL Dmen is not jus a problem for the Leafs, probably 25 teams are searching.

I would like to see when the top seven are decided upon, that the 6th and 7th guys rotate in and out of the lineup so they get NHL playing time.

In your original statement. You mentioned Holl. He is not an aggressive Dman. Maybe having Hainsey as one of your designated PK only (similar to last year) might be the way to go, and then play the other six guys. If Marner plays right point on the PP, that keeps at least one RHD a little fresher to play five on five or PK

It's outside MY box.

Okay, you're barred from using double negatives for a month.

Ya for sure, I just thought that one of the biggest problems with Hainsey's game in the back half of the season last year was just fatigue from playing almost all of the PK mins.

Lmao didn't notice

No way nylander signs for 6.5 mil if it's anywhere more than 5 years.

something more realistic would be like a 2x5 bridge contract or 8x8.5 long term deal

in the end their defense will be the reason they won't advance far in the playoffs, even the tavares signing can't help that

I think 8 is too much and 6 is too little

The post was made for the lineup not his contract. Though I don't think 6.5 is too far off

It's not an original idea since TSN mentioned this the day Tavares was signed. Plagiarism isn't cool.

Now onto the proposal listed above.

Its an interesting concept and one area where I'll give you props is by including Lindholm. My thought was when I first heard TSN mention this was why bother having a 4th line centre. Just give Kadri, Matthews and Tavares 20 mins each and not dress a 4C. However what happens if one of them gets hurt? You could move Nylander over, but if you put Lindholm as a winger on the 4th line, he can slide over to spell the other 3 when need be. That is an interesting concept.

Its all moot though because I think Babcock is too traditional and he'll roll 4 lines out since the 4th line will be better than a lot of 3rd lines, TO will roll over a lot of teams. Also having 4 full lines keeps guys fresh and as a guy who plays a lot of hockey, the fresher you are the more effect you will be.

I get where you are coming from but I never claimed this idea to be my own. I was just expressing how I would like to see it happen. It is also an alternative to what many post here.

Totally.

I still don't think its the best idea because its a tad too chaotic. I'd rather see 4 lines rolling.

I do really like the idea of trading Gardiner since we aren't keeping him next year anyways and then moving Hainsey to the left side of the 3rd pairing with Carrick or Holl or something. But that would only work if one of the young guys shows good chemistry with Rielly. Holl or Ozhiganov could make that happen and then Hainsey can be the PK specialist but not play as much 5v5 where he got wrecked towards the end of the season.