Quoting: ConnorMcSchulenberg
Would’ve loved to see a three year contract for anything under 2 mil. This limits there flexibility. If they want to play him higher up the lineup (with Marner and Tavares to balance out the lines for example) theyll have to pay for it next year when they’ll be tight for cap space.
Agree 100%
I think his offense is better than most people realize....the Leafs would do well to keep him around 30 points this year. In the playoffs (or if they're fighting for a playoff spot) than he should play wherever he's needed....but outside of that....I'd love to see him honing his defense in a shut-down role (and on the PK). He the potential of an Arvidsson type player if his defense keeps improving (Arvi was a late starter too).
Our bottom 6 still looks good though (Kadri, Brown, Kapanen, Johnsson....plus 2 of: Leivo, Lindholm, Grundstrom, Ennis, Jooris....or possibly: Engvall, Marchment, Gauthier, Moore). Not a bad selection.
Brown - Tavares - Marner might also be a good fit. Brown played his off wing for most of his rookie season & looked fine on defense (while scoring 20 goals). Marner & Tavares are both good playmakers....so I wouldn't be shocked if Brown scored 30 goals with them (as opposed to 14 goals split between Bozak - VanRiemsdyk and Moore - Komarov).
I think Matthews - Nylander would be most effective with a pass first guy on their line....they're both technically shoot first guys but Nylanders changed his game a bit. I'm hoping Johnsson is a good enough passer to play with them since we're lacking left handed playmakers.