How much time should top-line Toffoli be given to connect?

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Now what I'm seeing.

I'll never judge the guys' work ethic as I agree he always works hard, but so many unforced turnovers and/or mishandlings of the puck. And it's not just a few occasions.

Last place in CA60
7th spot in xGA60
5th worse in HDCA60

Those are defensive stats, so it's not just about offence. He's not himself at all.

Two way stats ...
Last place in CF%
He's only ahead of Lucic in xGF%

He's struggling.

Fits the eye test...

If you swap centres there I think you'll get a dominant top line and unlock Huberdeau.

Hub-kadri-toffoli
Dube-lindholm-mang

I think Huberdeau needs a fast rush pass option like Kadri to stretch the ice and use his trailer effectively.

Conversely, I think Lindholm is swimming under the weight of high goal scoring expectations and an unorthodox puck distributor. Way too much thinking out there.

Conversely you could switch Dube and Toffoli but I think Kadri Huberdeau could be the special sauce.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Fits the eye test...

If you swap centres there I think you'll get a dominant top line and unlock Huberdeau.

Hub-kadri-toffoli
Dube-lindholm-mang

I think Huberdeau needs a fast rush pass option like Kadri to stretch the ice and use his trailer effectively.

Conversely, I think Lindholm is swimming under the weight of high goal scoring expectations and an unorthodox puck distributor. Way too much thinking out there.

Conversely you could switch Dube and Toffoli but I think Kadri Huberdeau could be the special sauce.

I think if you're going to switch up the top lines, this is the way to do it.

Kadri can carry the puck for the top line. And Mang and Dube can do the forechecking and let Lindholm be the high guy and defensive stalwart

[traptor]

I think it's just too much of the same on the top line.
Lindholm and Toffoli play fairly similar roles in the neutral and offensive zones. Neither are big puck carriers and both like to find soft spots in the slot.

I think you need to swap one of them from that line with someone who can carry through the neutral zone, battle in the corners and/or drives the net.

I could really see a Lindholm-Kadri swap or a Mang/Dube - Toffoli swap making things click.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Fits the eye test...

If you swap centres there I think you'll get a dominant top line and unlock Huberdeau.

Hub-kadri-toffoli
Dube-lindholm-mang

I think Huberdeau needs a fast rush pass option like Kadri to stretch the ice and use his trailer effectively.

It's so obvious. Early season wins see the suggestion mocked relentlessly, but I could see it right away. It will be key and will happen.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Darryl doesn't really deviate from the lines unless things go sideways, I don't think we see a change anytime soon.

It's clear Lindholm is the issue and no converting him to a winger is not what this team needs. He just needs to handle the puck cleaner and find open spots on the ice.

[Kasi]

Sutter can be pretty stubborn so yeah I’d be surprised if any change comes soon.

[Hot_Flatus]

The most I see changed is Mangiapane and Toffoli switching spots at even strength. Anything beyond that doesn't make sense.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Toffoli is not the problem on the top line. The bigger problem is Lindholm who has been really bad. Toffoli should be on the third line, but he has not been the problem on the 1st line or a reason for their poor performance.

[Vinny01]

Huge shakeup at practice. Kadri and Mangiapane with Huberdeau. Lucic up to the second line, Dube down the third and Ruzicka in for Rooney

[Kasi]

Huh I thought Dube was a good fit for line three since he has some offensive spark and can play with Backlund. I just didn’t know who would replace him in the top six. Wasn’t guessing Lucic though.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Huge shakeup at practice. Kadri and Mangiapane with Huberdeau. Lucic up to the second line, Dube down the third and Ruzicka in for Rooney

Lucic-Lindholm-Toffoli...barf and way too slow.

Dube has been fine. No reason to demote him. (Although I don't hate Dube-Backlund-Coleman)

[Neeper]

Lines at practice.

Huberdeau-Kadri-Mangiapane
Lucic-Lindholm-Toffoli
Dube-Backlund-Coleman
Lewis-Ruzicka-Ritchie
Rooney

[Bunk]

Sure, let's try it

[CedarMeter]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1587123410844680192

[CFO]

Originally Posted by Neeper

Lines at practice.

Huberdeau-Kadri-Mangiapane
Lucic-Lindholm-Toffoli
Dube-Backlund-Coleman
Lewis-Ruzicka-Ritchie
Rooney

I don't mind it. It's a clear message to Lindholm and partially Toffoli they need to step up.

[Mathgod]

Interesting. Could work out better than the previous line combos.

[iggyloob12]

Originally Posted by CFO

I don't mind it. It's a clear message to Lindholm and partially Toffoli they need to step up.

And Rooney. Let's see what lines actually look like next game.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

Interesting. Could work out better than the previous line combos.

I'll give Sutter the benefit of the doubt, but I don't see any way that Lucic can stick in a second line role at this point in his career. Maybe Dube is back up there after a few shifts next game.

[SuperMatt18]

Timing is a bit weird to me since Saturday was probably the best the first line looked at 5v5 all season.

Corsi: 14-6
Shots: 7-2
High Danger 3-0
xGF: 82.4% (0.71 For; 0.15 Against)
Offensive Zone: 83%

So they were given the high ground on Saturday and for the most part did well with it and deserved a goal.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by iggyloob12

And Rooney. Let's see what lines actually look like next game.

Pretty sure Rooney is hurt...also, let's not read too much into non gameday practice lines