Replacing? Not likely. Bumping him down on centre depth chart (or possibly a move to wing), real likely hood, or even 2a/2b. That said, this could be a dry run for 3 top notch centres (even if Tavares is showing his age). Flexibility is an excellent thing to have when putting lines together (in dressing room and especially on the go from bench)
Muffdvr_76
Big Shelly making changes 👊🏻
correct_eye_is
Domi Matthews Bert/Marner
Knies Tavares Marner/Bert
Robertson Nylander Jarnkrok
Mahonneyy123
Rofl
LostBeneathMySkin
If he makes even a slight improvement in the D zone he’s gunna be absolutely killer for the Leafs this year. He’s actually underrated being shadowed by the “big 3” but I think Willy’s a 1st liner on any other team in the league these days.
Judge_Rhinohold
Replace Tavares how? He’s signed until 2025 with a no move clause.
Vic_Hedges
Step 1 – Move Nylander to Center
Step 2 – Name him 3C on the Depth Chart
Plays whole season with reduced minutes and offensive opportunities to « strengthen his defensive game » Scoring numbers drop significantly going into contract negotiations in 2024 making him affordable.
Step 3 – Profit?
/not serious
Sr_Raisin_bran
Lol trying to improve his value no way does he make over 8 as a winger while he is a skilled player there are more of him then there is ellite centers. But him replacing Tavares not a chance what you want him playing the wing? Tavares is by far your 2nd center so Nylander plays 3rd line aint no way he is getting over 5 best option is to trade him for a badly needed number 1 defenseman.
Sr_Raisin_bran
Trade the bum
Sc00tzy
They’re increasing his trade value. If he can play C and wing it’s huge. Double edged sword of if he does well he could ask the leafs for more money.
Lillehammered
Trying to inflate his trade value.
Double_Vision_Quest
Looking for 3C options. They had O’Reilly going back and forth between 2C/3C while he was healthy which leant a lot of good offense. Ultimately Leafs only have 4 options at center (Matthew’s, Tavares, Domi, and Kampf), getting another is a good idea. Plus, last season, the third line (whichever wasn’t the Kampf defense line) didn’t have much of an identity the whole season. Put Willy on at 3C and you’ve got three lines that present some scoring opps.
dntstpblevin
Making the least defensive minded player on the team your checking line centre. Yep, pretty on-brand for Keefe.
Maybe Marner can split time in goal? He’s pretty comfortable there. Played lots of mini sticks throughout his career.
langong
I hope he play better so can be promote to 2nd line.
Juice_Wigalow
Trade bait
Jx_Wafflez
Unlikely he’ll play centre for even half the season. Keefe has experimented with him at centre before, it’s never truly worked out. BUT the leafs do have a lot more winger depth now so it’s possible we could see him as our 3c and be provided more o-zone mins with reduced d-zone starts. He’s shown he can carry a (3rd) line playing on the wing, so let’s see if he can do that at centre I guess.
Otherwise_Awesome
Yes, but Tavares probably replaces Nylander.
daxtaslapp
Personally, i love the guy. Seems whenever i watch him he delivers
18 Comments
Replacing? Not likely. Bumping him down on centre depth chart (or possibly a move to wing), real likely hood, or even 2a/2b. That said, this could be a dry run for 3 top notch centres (even if Tavares is showing his age). Flexibility is an excellent thing to have when putting lines together (in dressing room and especially on the go from bench)
Big Shelly making changes 👊🏻
Domi Matthews Bert/Marner
Knies Tavares Marner/Bert
Robertson Nylander Jarnkrok
Rofl
If he makes even a slight improvement in the D zone he’s gunna be absolutely killer for the Leafs this year. He’s actually underrated being shadowed by the “big 3” but I think Willy’s a 1st liner on any other team in the league these days.
Replace Tavares how? He’s signed until 2025 with a no move clause.
Step 1 – Move Nylander to Center
Step 2 – Name him 3C on the Depth Chart
Plays whole season with reduced minutes and offensive opportunities to « strengthen his defensive game » Scoring numbers drop significantly going into contract negotiations in 2024 making him affordable.
Step 3 – Profit?
/not serious
Lol trying to improve his value no way does he make over 8 as a winger while he is a skilled player there are more of him then there is ellite centers. But him replacing Tavares not a chance what you want him playing the wing? Tavares is by far your 2nd center so Nylander plays 3rd line aint no way he is getting over 5 best option is to trade him for a badly needed number 1 defenseman.
Trade the bum
They’re increasing his trade value. If he can play C and wing it’s huge. Double edged sword of if he does well he could ask the leafs for more money.
Trying to inflate his trade value.
Looking for 3C options. They had O’Reilly going back and forth between 2C/3C while he was healthy which leant a lot of good offense. Ultimately Leafs only have 4 options at center (Matthew’s, Tavares, Domi, and Kampf), getting another is a good idea. Plus, last season, the third line (whichever wasn’t the Kampf defense line) didn’t have much of an identity the whole season. Put Willy on at 3C and you’ve got three lines that present some scoring opps.
Making the least defensive minded player on the team your checking line centre. Yep, pretty on-brand for Keefe.
Maybe Marner can split time in goal? He’s pretty comfortable there. Played lots of mini sticks throughout his career.
I hope he play better so can be promote to 2nd line.
Trade bait
Unlikely he’ll play centre for even half the season. Keefe has experimented with him at centre before, it’s never truly worked out. BUT the leafs do have a lot more winger depth now so it’s possible we could see him as our 3c and be provided more o-zone mins with reduced d-zone starts. He’s shown he can carry a (3rd) line playing on the wing, so let’s see if he can do that at centre I guess.
Yes, but Tavares probably replaces Nylander.
Personally, i love the guy. Seems whenever i watch him he delivers