Should the Leafs look at deploying Matthews, Marner and Nylander differently?
The LeafsOrBust Podcast is a relatively new podcast that is hosted by LetsGoLeafs.com Senior Writer/Editor and Publisher Mike "Mikey Mozzarella" Armenti. The LeafsOrBust Podcast has a fun and unique schtick where they reach out to Leafs fans on Leafs Twitter for their hockey hot takes and the show's co-hosts go through them on the podcast and give their thoughts on each take and either classify them as a hot take or explain why they don't believe that the take is a hot one.
One such hot take came from myself and the panel didn't exactly love that I suggested separating Matthews, Marner, and Nylander and having them all on different lines. The take was ridiculed mostly because it meant a "demotion" for William Nylander after a sensational performance in the Leafs' playoffs series against the Habs.
In last night's loss to the Colorado Avalanche, the top line of Michael Bunting, Auston Matthews, and Alexander Kerfoot was electric for the Leafs. They generated many chances and were by far the Leafs' best line. With the performance of that line, I think that when Marner is out of COVID protocol, the Leafs should try separating the 3 forwards, at least a few times per game.
Doing this is not unheard of for championship teams. We saw the Penguins do this when they won the Stanley Cup in 2016. Crosby had his line, Malkin had his line, and then we saw the "HBK line" of Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino, and Phil Kessel. It lead to a Cup for Pittsburgh and the same could happen for the Leafs. Here is what a similar idea could look like in Toronto.
BUNTING-MATTHEWS-KERFOOT
I would keep the top line of Bunting-Matthews-Kerfoot intact. Saturday against the Avs was the first time that these 3 were on a line together and they looked dominant against Colorado for much of the night. Kerfoot opened the scoring off of an unbelievable feed from Michael Bunting, and Matthews scored the second and third goals for the Leafs, while Bunting was doing what he does, being the perfect pest.
Matthews has entered the territory that John Tavares was in for many years where he elevates his linemates. Bunting and Kerfoot are both very talented players in their own right, but it is hard to argue that their game wasn't elevated by playing with Matthews last night. Having Matthews as the primary puck carrier allows for him to do his thing in the offensive zone and it will create space for the two wingers to bury some playoff style goals.
MIKHEYEV-TAVARES-NYLANDER
John Tavares and William Nylander have great chemistry. They have been dynamic for the Leafs this season and will very likely continue that trend. The pair of forwards have a history of playing with Ilya Mikheyev, who has had a great start to his season and is earning the offensive role that he had wanted before he requested a trade in the summer. Mikheyev's speed and Tavares and Nylander's chemistry can be a great second line for the Leafs. They deserve a few games even after a bit of a tough one against the Avalanche.
KASE-KAMPF-MARNER
This would be the Leafs shutdown line but would still have some offensive firepower. David Kampf is not known for his offense but has shown this year that he can put the puck in the net under the right circumstances. His primary role will still be to shutdown the other team's top guys.
Ondrej Kase has looked great with Kampf and the two have great chemistry, but with Marner as his new line mate, Kase could reach new heights offensively. It's also worth mentioning that Marner does what he does, often against other teams' best players. On the third line, he could also find himself with opportunities to play against weaker opposing players as well. If he can find some chemistry with Kase, we know that Kase can put the puck in the net.
Marner is a dynamic playmaker but is also one of the best defensive wingers in hockey. His defensive abilities can keep up with Kampf and Kase and with him taking the lead on his own line, we'll be able to see the magic that Mitch had brought to the table in his early years in Toronto.
Being on the "3rd line" wouldn't necessarily be a demotion for Marner either. With the minutes he plays on PP1 and PK1, he would still take shifts with his good friend Auston Matthews and he will still get a lot of ice time as one of the team's primary penalty killers.
Having these 3 players split up would be beneficial for the Leafs, as long as someone can separate ego from the equation and focus on what would ultimately be best for the team. It doesn't mean that these lines would be set in stone either. Keefe can still move guys around throughout the game when the right opportunities arise, like key offensive zone faceoffs, etc.
While this is certainly a long shot, I felt it was worth talking about, specifically because the Leafs are in a bit of an advantageous position having so many great forwards. Separating them could force opposing teams to pick and choose which line to deploy their top defensive players against, which would free up the other two to take on weaker matchups and increase their odds of generating offensive chances. Just some food for thought.
