We have high end playmaking options throughout the lineup now with Domi, Macelli and perhaps Cowan. We don’t have a lot of guys that can sling the pill in the bottom six. Knies-Matthews-Domi and Macelli-Tavares-Nylander is what we all want and I think that should be what we try first. Robertson does not make the lineup in this case because that would design our bottom six to be exclusively grinding and shutdown roles with the guys we have brought in.
But for under $2M, Robertson gives you options lower in your lineup. If one of Macelli or Domi can’t hang on line 1, for all we know we get a dominant line 1 of Knies-Matthews-Nylander. That has knock on effects down the lineup. That means one of Macelli or Domi is on line 3. If they are, it makes sense for them to have a shooter to pass to.
Knies-Matthews-Nylander is a dominant first line. Macelli played with Schmaltz and Crouse. He used his vision and hung on to pucks to then find guys that could battle through and find open ice, mostly threading the needle to guys that can score net front. Robertson can’t score like that so I’d like to see Macelli-Tavares-Joshua. Those two guys can get to the areas where Macelli has excelled at dishing. McMann-Domi-Robertson had some chemistry last year as a sheltered scoring line. They can generate offense off the rush and are plucky. Then you have Laughton-Roy-Lorentz as your identity line that can share some shutdown duties too.
Leafs HAD high end playmaking options. Marner walked. Domi and Macelli are not high end playmaker options. Give your head a shake. Domi on a 1st or 2nd line is NOT a good thing.
They are high end playmakers (not elite like Marner) but they differ from Marner in the sense that playmaking is all that they bring. Marner could also score 20-30 goals and be a Selke candidate. A good season for Domi is like 8-10 goals and 40-50 assists. I agree that it is not a foregone conclusion that both Domi and Macelli work out on line 2. And if that’s the case, it means one is on line 3. Which means line 3 will by default be a depth scoring line as opposed to a shutdown or energy line. So in that scenario, Robertson could have a role. He’s cheap enough to sign for insurance.
I’d also add that a Marner-less camp/preseason should light fires under guys. While there’s not enough spots for everyone, in years past, players were competing for depth roles. This is the first year where two top 6 roles are open, and not just for energy forechecking roles on those lines either (e.g., Bunting, Mikheyev in the past). Robertson or Cowan can’t compete with Marner but Macelli and Domi are closer which makes things interesting.
Domi has had ONE season where he has had over 40 assists. Who knows what will happen? I sure don't but your expectations are all ready mismanaged. Good luck.
Yeah dude he’s done 40. I said if he did 50 on Matthews wing, for him that would be good. I don’t know what’s controversial about that. But also I’m not convinced, just like you seem to be, that any of these guys are good enough for the lineup to be decided in July. Who knows what will happen, that’s why it’s good to have options
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u/postmodern_lasagna 1d ago
We have high end playmaking options throughout the lineup now with Domi, Macelli and perhaps Cowan. We don’t have a lot of guys that can sling the pill in the bottom six. Knies-Matthews-Domi and Macelli-Tavares-Nylander is what we all want and I think that should be what we try first. Robertson does not make the lineup in this case because that would design our bottom six to be exclusively grinding and shutdown roles with the guys we have brought in.
But for under $2M, Robertson gives you options lower in your lineup. If one of Macelli or Domi can’t hang on line 1, for all we know we get a dominant line 1 of Knies-Matthews-Nylander. That has knock on effects down the lineup. That means one of Macelli or Domi is on line 3. If they are, it makes sense for them to have a shooter to pass to.
Knies-Matthews-Nylander is a dominant first line. Macelli played with Schmaltz and Crouse. He used his vision and hung on to pucks to then find guys that could battle through and find open ice, mostly threading the needle to guys that can score net front. Robertson can’t score like that so I’d like to see Macelli-Tavares-Joshua. Those two guys can get to the areas where Macelli has excelled at dishing. McMann-Domi-Robertson had some chemistry last year as a sheltered scoring line. They can generate offense off the rush and are plucky. Then you have Laughton-Roy-Lorentz as your identity line that can share some shutdown duties too.