Shep wroteCOLONBozak has awesome chemistry with Lupul and Kessel, and Connolly (when healthy) has simply been far superior to Grabovski this season. That would be the basis to his argument.
Bozak is a better 3rd line C than Grabo.
Lupul and Kessel have chemistry with everyone including Connolly who Bozak is holding that spot for.
And Grabo + Kulemin just won't be split for more than a few games imo.
I would like to see Bozak on the first line moving forward for no other reason than to balance scoring through our top 9, the second and third lines should not be viewed in the typical sense, but rather as lines 2a and 2b which are interchangeable game to game, and shift to shift depending on production:
Shep wroteCOLONBozak has awesome chemistry with Lupul and Kessel, and Connolly (when healthy) has simply been far superior to Grabovski this season. That would be the basis to his argument.
Wilson has stated on numerous occasions that Bozak is more of a third line center, and were it not for injuries would not be centering the top unit, I personally would like to see him stay there to spread out the scoring, but not at the expense of Grabovski who will be a top 6 center when he comes back.
SuperMario wroteCOLON
Okay then bet the 1st that Army/Lombardi will be his linemates more than a guy like Kulemin.
By the way none of this is to mention that Grabo is always one of the Leafs best forwards. The fact that you think he is Line 3 material makes it seem like you don't watch the Leafs play at all.
how are you enjoying arguing against an imaginary point i never made?
Wilson last night did say that Connolly can pretty much play with anyone by his side, and make them better players no matter what, so maybe that could be an indication HE might be shuffled around the lineup, but certainly don't think he'll be placed on the 3rd line for extended periods of time, but be placed in whichever line that he plays best with (production #). With that being said, I can see Grabo not concretely on the same line forever as well, but be moved around frequently.
anton wroteCOLONgrabo is my favourite leaf. ive told many people that many times. i cant quite figure out what shiv is angry at.
with bozak and connolly clicking so well with their respective lines, it's only logical to have grabo come back as the 3rd line c.
it also adds some much needed scoring depth throughout our whole top 9.
a healthy lineup of:
lupul - bozak - kessel
mac - connolly - kulemin
frattin - grabo - armstrong
brown - steckel - rosehill
is quite good.
I can see Shiv's point, with the exception of last night Bozak has not been a driving force on that line, but rather a passenger, whereas Grabo and Connolly are consistently the driving forces on their respective lines. When everyone is healthy I am confident Bozak will find himself on the third line, Ron Wilson has flat out stated that the third line is Bozak's calling card when this team is healthy, and that top line duties are too much for him to handle. Barring a consistent streak of strong games, like last night, that wont change.
anton wroteCOLONgrabo is my favourite leaf. ive told many people that many times. i cant quite figure out what shiv is angry at.
with bozak and connolly clicking so well with their respective lines, it's only logical to have grabo come back as the 3rd line c.
it also adds some much needed scoring depth throughout our whole top 9.
a healthy lineup of:
lupul - bozak - kessel
mac - connolly - kulemin
frattin - grabo - armstrong
brown - steckel - rosehill
is quite good.
I can see Shiv's point, with the exception of last night Bozak has not been a driving force on that line, but rather a passenger, whereas Grabo and Connolly are consistently the driving forces on their respective lines. When everyone is healthy I am confident Bozak will find himself on the third line, Ron Wilson has flat out stated that the third line is Bozak's calling card when this team is healthy, and that top line duties are too much for him to handle. Barring a consistent streak of strong games, like last night, that wont change.
I agree, my point was that I see Anton's point. If Grabo comes back and these top 2 lines are clicking, no point in messing that up until they struggle/slump.
Let's not forget that when things aren't going well, Wilson won't hesitate to shake things up. It's one of my favourite things about the coach -- he won't hesitate to change up something that doesn't work. Quinn, Maurice were awful at this.
anton wroteCOLONgrabo is my favourite leaf. ive told many people that many times. i cant quite figure out what shiv is angry at.
with bozak and connolly clicking so well with their respective lines, it's only logical to have grabo come back as the 3rd line c.
it also adds some much needed scoring depth throughout our whole top 9.
a healthy lineup of:
lupul - bozak - kessel
mac - connolly - kulemin
frattin - grabo - armstrong
brown - steckel - rosehill
is quite good.
I can see Shiv's point, with the exception of last night Bozak has not been a driving force on that line, but rather a passenger, whereas Grabo and Connolly are consistently the driving forces on their respective lines. When everyone is healthy I am confident Bozak will find himself on the third line, Ron Wilson has flat out stated that the third line is Bozak's calling card when this team is healthy, and that top line duties are too much for him to handle. Barring a consistent streak of strong games, like last night, that wont change.
I agree, my point was that I see Anton's point. If Grabo comes back and these top 2 lines are clicking, no point in messing that up until they struggle/slump.
That's fair but I'd bet alot of money that Grabo will still be top 3 in ice time among forwards.
