I put math in hockey
Joined: Jun. 2018
Posts: 624
Likes: 167
Love the core premise from TOR's perspective, but I have a few concerns.
1. Not sure how WPG feels about this one. I get the sense from folks like Garret Hohl and @WPGMurat on twitter that the Jets are pretty ok with their balance between LD and RD, as Morrisey/Myers develop. Might be better off hunting for a Reilly for Petry deal with MTL, since they have a more definitive balance issue.
2. Running something along the line of Marleau-Kadri-Kapanen as a checking line might make more sense, as Babcock's style seems to demand a definitive matchup line, which this team doesn't really have. Marleau's also probably overkill alongside Matthews + Marner anyway.
3. Probably makes more sense to carry 14 Fwds and keep Holl with the Marlies. Helps him develop and is more usual for an NHL team.
That said, these are really minor things. I love the faith in Gardiner as LD and the decisive move to get a 1RD. I like the decision to keep cap space open in order to avoid having to break up the team when the ELCs end. No real holes on the roster and strength all the way around. Excellent work.