I have a feeling the taxi squad is going to help his chances. Could see him play 1/2 or 2/3 of the games this season, bouncing back & forth between roster and taxi squad.

I have feeling that this can be true for several players at the bottom of the line-up.

I think they'll staple Robertson to Thornton so whatever line Thornton is on is where Robertson will be (assuming he's in the lineup).

Something about putting an elite passer (Thornton) with the prospect who's known for a great shot (Robertson) seems like a winning combination. Thornton also has that veteran NHL respect thing going on so I doubt opposing players will take liberties with Robertson if they're on the same line.

Vesey's expected to play with Kerfoot.

Vesey's expected to play with Kerfoot.

SImmonds in the top 6 would worry me a bit. Move Robertson up and Simmonds down to give the kid a real shot at succeeding.

Vesey's expected to play with Kerfoot.

I have a feeling the taxi squad is going to help his chances. Could see him play 1/2 or 2/3 of the games this season, bouncing back & forth between roster and taxi squad.


I agree with all of this. The only reason I have Robertson there is because I don't think they would withhold him from the WJC just to play 10 minutes on the 4th line. So I think he'll end up a middle 6 guy, trading places depending on performance with Simmonds and Mikheyev...those 3 are a toss-up as far as lineup up. Will all depend on fit with linemates.
I have feeling that this can be true for several players at the bottom of the line-up.

Are we trying to miss the playoffs? Vesey was not good and you will know why when you watch him play. Everyone said the same thing about Cody Ceci

I don't think the 4th line will be treated the same way as prior years if that's where Thornton ends up. I could see him and Robertson getting decent minutes (between 5v5 and PP2). I think it's fine if Robertson starts out at 12-14 min per game.

You might be right, but there's only so much ice time to go around. What would then be the purpose of having 3 guys making double digits if they're only playing 18-19 minutes per night?

You might be right, but there's only so much ice time to go around. What would then be the purpose of having 3 guys making double digits if they're only playing 18-19 minutes per night?

I'm factoring in PP time for those 2 as well. Nights when Clifford was getting 7 min per night, he wasn't on any special teams.

Also, this may not be the season to roll Matthews and Marner out there 22+ min per night, considering it will be the most condensed sched they'll likely ever play. There will likely be months with 15+ games.

IMO, you are taking a sizable risk if those guys play as much as they did last year (if 21/22 is back to normal, I'm fine with them playing big min again).

I mean if they're winning what difference does it make? A team with 4 lines that can contribute would be the ideal situation. I'll be real surprised to hear any Leafs fans disgruntled about ice time numbers if they're hoisting a cup at the end of the season.

Alright, if you average out the top 6 as 20 minute players (average), that still only leaves 10 minutes as an average for bottom 6 players. Regardless of special teams, there's still only 60 minutes in a regulation hockey game...and penalties fall into those 60 minutes. There's exactly 15 minutes (all situations) in regulation for the average forward, 20 minutes for defense.

100%. 4 lines that can contribute is ideal, but let's not pretend they are all equally capable of contributing. For them to hoist that cup, they'll have to get the best out of their lineup, and that goes for any team. I just really don't think rolling 4 equal lines with equal ice time is the right way to get the best out of this team the way it is structured today.

Are we trying to miss the playoffs? Vesey was not good and you will know why when you watch him play. Everyone said the same thing about Cody Ceci

Are we trying to miss the playoffs? Vesey was not good and you will know why when you watch him play. Everyone said the same thing about Cody Ceci

@LGR tell him.