They should play Marner at center. I don't see why they think Nylander at center is the better move.
Last edited:
Leafs 2024-2025 Season Thread
- Thread starter glamphotographer
- Start date
While I agree Marner would make a better centre than Nylander because he’s better defensively, I still don’t like the idea of switching an elite winger to a centre because playing centre adds more responsibilities and It would be very difficult for either to learn those responsibilities at this stage of their careers. It would be a lot easier for a centre to switch to wing. Nylander did play centre at different times but I’d think all his coaches would think he’s better suited as a winger as he eventually would go back on the wing.
Tavares has slowed down because of aging but I still see him as the second best centre on the team. He’s not worth the 11 million they’re paying him but that’s not his fault. Taking away his captaincy and then announce to the whole hockey world that he’s not even good enough to be a second line centre on this team is rather insulting imo.
Until Tavares leaves or they find a better 2nd line centre, I’d keep him there. Domi is also more suited as a winger because he’s also prone to defensive glitches. They also have Holmberg and Kampf who are “natural centres” for their 3rd and 4th lines, although Kampf and Jarnkrok may be on the trading block for cap relief.
I can’t answer that question but there were reports that he was back on the wing in practice. Regardless, he can fill in at centre if and when injuries occur.
Looking towards next season, I can see that they could potentially lose one or both of Tavares and Marner. The question I have is, can they afford to lose both ? Or, can they afford to keep both ?
Marner seems to be the one more likely to walk because of what he’ll demand. The fact that they’ve demoted Tavares to the 3rd line starting last season could mean they’ll probably only offer a 3rd line centre’s money, My guess will be somewhere between 3.5 to 4.5 mil ?
Will Tavares take that ?
Former Leaf Jack Campbell enters the player assistance program. I feel bad for him because when he was here he seemed like a nice, genuine guy. Had his good moments on the ice, too. Hope Soupy gets things back on track.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/articl...ck-campbell-enters-player-assistance-program/
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/articl...ck-campbell-enters-player-assistance-program/
Jersey is tied for 3rd behind only Edmonton and Florida as cup odds favourites.
Leafs are 9th according to fanduel.
Leafs are 9th according to fanduel.
I don’t think there’s much argument who’s the current heavyweight champ, but if Xhekaj loses control like he did against Pare, that could cost them the game. Reaves might have been the champ at one time but the age and size differences favour Xhekaj.
No doubt Xhekaj is the better fighter but Reaves is the closest thing to counter. Imagine if a top forward for the Leaf gets injured in game 1. It was pre-season, I'm sure that had an influence on how Xhekaj acted. Winning that game had no meaning. Pare will never play a game of significance for the Leafs. It was then or never for Xhekaj. He knew what he was doing. The alternative was to go after Matthews or Marner.
There are still teams with a fighter. Especially in the East. Boston picked up Lucic last year to counter. TB traded plenty of draft picks for Jeannnot. NYR has Rempe, Philly has Hathaway and Deslauriers, Columbus has Olivier. Wilson in Washington, Ottawa has Tkachuk do all their fighting.
There are still teams with a fighter. Especially in the East. Boston picked up Lucic last year to counter. TB traded plenty of draft picks for Jeannnot. NYR has Rempe, Philly has Hathaway and Deslauriers, Columbus has Olivier. Wilson in Washington, Ottawa has Tkachuk do all their fighting.
Last edited:
If the Leaf game is a blowout, fireworks are a possibility in the last few minutes.
