For me its Kappy by a little. Kapanen is also younger. But why prefer one to another when you can have both.

Issue is, do you really want one or both playing third line mins when they could be more? We have such a strong wing depth its just weird having those guys playing 12 mins a night yeah know?

They’ll still get 14-16 a night depending on special teams

Kappy

Youre right, Matthews will get 10 mins if we play them more

I’m assuming him and jt lines will get 18 min so that leaves 24 for the bottom 2. Id give the 3rd 15min so that leaves the 4th with 9. This is all 5on5 btw

makes perfect sense!

It's close. Johnsson might be a more natural scorer. Kapanen seems to work hard, gets in great scoring position then, "almost scores". Both compliment goal scorer centres like Matthews and Tavares.

Decisions will need to come bring to Seattle's expansion draft. There's obviously a lot that can happen between then and now. However, our roster, as is, with Marner included, the Leafs would probably protect 7 forwards, 3 D and a goalie, as opposed to 8 players and a goalie. It would look something like Tavares, Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Kapanen, Kerfott, Johnsson, Rielly, Dermott, Muzzin/Barrie (I am assuming we won't resign both) and Andersen. That would mean Hyman is unprotected. As such, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see a forward from the above list (perferably Nylander) traded for an ELC player, which would not require protection, between now and this draft so that they can protect Hyman as well.

Kapanen is overrated, he's a great depth winger but so many people on here see him as a guy who's going to score 30+ goals for years to come and he just isn't that. He's perfect for the 3rd line on a stacked team. He shouldn't play with Matthews because he is only a rush player and perimeter shooter, doesn't go to the net and isn't much of a passer so using him with Matthews wastes Matthews skills as a goal scorer.

I agree with Sammy. Why pick one when you can have both?

I actually think that Johnsson and Kap are perfect 3rd line guys, especially if a guy like Kerfoot can lock down the 3c role. That's a fast hardworking 3rd line that is sneaky good skilled wise, and each of them can move up the line up as needed and all can contribute to special teams in some capacity. And they're all on good deals right now.
With Brown gone I hope Johnsson (and Moore) get some pk time.

Really hope Mikheyev works with AM and Nylander. A 3rd line of Johnsson, Kerfoot and Kappy seems perfect to me.

Agreed, I think kap is too much of a rush player for someone like Matthews. I always liked him with Matthews but then I remembered how well he worked with a much slower paced Nylander and and it made more sense.

I also really hope Mikheyev ends up being what hyman did for Marner and JT

I partly agree, I am not sure you can say Nylander plays at a slower pace. Nylander is one of the best skaters on the team, he can just do everything he does at full speed and also has a nice cycle element to his game that helps keep the puck in the offensive zone. He's also a playmaker who maximizes Matthews Goal Scoring abilities. A full and health season from Matthews and Nylander could see Matthews score 60+ goals and I would not be surprised if Nylander scores over 90 points this season. It'll be hilarious to hear all those haters who have trashed Nylander over the past year.

What I meant is what you said is that he can control his offense game at a high speed.

I also completely agree. With everytime throwing their big defenders out agaisnt JT's line, Nylander and Matthews should easily both top 80 points!

Im also a huge Willy fan so I cant wait for him to mock the haters

I think teams will be have a hard time picking who they'll send their best players against. Matthews and Nylander (if both play a full season) will have 80 points no matter who they play against. Together they have been one of the best duos since Matthews entered the league. I think after this season, people are going to say Nylander has one of the best contracts in the league. It'll be hilarious.

Agreed. My only concern if Babcock. If he starts putting Nylander on the 4th line again im going lose it. Guy knows hes on thin ice and needs to accept that Matthews and Nylanders are a fantastic duo, and letting them play 15 mins a night is NOT acceptable.

Babs is definitely going to be on thin ice, I think he gets fired if they lose in the first round again, or gets out coached by Boston again in the 2nd round (assuming both advance to the 2nd round) I am really getting soured on Babs, he's too in love with his own past success.

Im going be blunt with you, I love Babs but the issue is, the NHL has changed. It doesnt run 4 lines one after another. a team doesnt need to have 3 LHD and 3 RHD. Its a fast NHL now and Babs is playing like the team is meant for tight checking. I get it, thats how he won in Det and with Team Canada, but to coach Toronto like that, a team with a top 3 offense in the league doesnt work. He needs to re adjust or a coach needs to be brought in who plays his team like that

I am not sure you are correct on much of that. If anything the Leafs have been poor at checking, they at times are relentless on the forecheck but too often in their own zone, the wingers blow the zone as soon as they think the defence has the puck which can lead to way too many breakdowns in their own end. He also wants to make guys earn more than they should have too. Matthews is your best player, play him like it. Don't have him play yes because you're an old school guy.