Team: 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Jan. 4, 2021

Published: Jan. 4, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

He did an interview recently where he says he really liked what he saw when he put Hymen-Kerfoot-Kapanen together during the playoffs. And then I guess they put Hymen-Kerfoot-Mikhayev together at some point which he really liked (I think game 5). He said going into the off season he really wanted to keep that line together for this upcoming season (like a really good checking line that could forecheck well and win puck battles similar to TBs 3rd line). So going into the offseason they were actively looking for players to take Hymen's spot beside Matthews and Marner and they picked Thornton. They didn't sign him to play 3rd line minutes and then into training camp they put him on the first line. They signed him and talked to him about their plan to put him on the top line prior to signing him. But with the tight schedule and back to backs he wouldn't be playing there every night obviously so there's probably gonna be a lot of movement in the lineup throughout the year. But I'm assuming that third line is their secret ace in the hole or whatever. If they can get some bottom 6 scoring this year (compared to a bunch of years prior) its going to be exciting. Not really buying the Thornton on the 1st line deal but that third lines got me pumped.