would rather have Spezza at 4C and see either Timashov or Engvall (has earned it) play on 4RW. With Keefe now in charge I really do wonder what it means for guys that haven't been through Marlies with him such as Shore, Petan, and to a lesser degree Gauthier. Wonder if Keefe prefers the likes of Timashov, Moore and Engvall; could hardly blame him if he does.

Gauthier played a big role in winning the AHL Championship. Gauthier is a Keefe guy. He's been terrific this year, he's earned his spot on the 4th line. Been winning faceoffs, wearing down defenders and doing his thing. He's on the team, no matter what.

Beat me to it...

Moving somebody off your proposed third line, packaged with Ceci in a trade for a backup and a solid, safe play defenseman is Leafs best play.

Just because Gauthier played for the Marlies doesn't make him "a Keefe guy". In reality Gauthier & Shore are the forwards on the roster that don't fit with Keefe's system. They aren't skilled, they don't make plays, and they don't possess the puck. This isn't the Babcock "we need our 4th liners to play like 4th liners". With a healthy lineup Spezza, Engvall, Moore, are all better options for 4th line. It blows my mind how anyone thinks that Gauthier or Shore are better hockey players than anyone else they have available. With a cap crunch coming they don't have any room to keep them around and that's ok because there's no chance anyone claims either of them off waivers.

Ice time per game since Keefe took over:
vs ARZ - 10:41
vs COL - 8:09
vs DET - 12:52 (blowout game where Matthew's only play 16 minutes)
vs BUF - 5:46
vs BUF - 8:23

Sorry, not a Keefe type player