Edited Nov. 13, 2021 at 7:53 a.m.
Quoting: PleaseBanMeForMyOwnGood
The point he is making is that most on here seem to think any bottom 6 player from any other team is an automatic upgrade over any bottom 6 player in TO. Engvall isn't going to be a major offensive contributor, but he's been effective when he's played. Much like Kampf, not a lot happens when he's on the ice. That's not a bad thing. It's a pretty smart bet that the top 2 lines should come out on top vs the opposition most nights. And if your bottom 6 can stay even or at least on average come out on top then you can do pretty well as a team.
So trading Dermott for some other 6/7 defenceman or Engvall for Crouse every day. Leaf fans should focus on what's going good. They are piling up points despite really poor shooting percentages. That will swing the other way.
Part of the point he's making. Palhal has also literally said there was a case to be made for exposing Marner to Seattle to gain capspace. He seems to think there's not much point in making changes unless you start with the impact players.
And I'm fine with Engvall playing on a shutdown line, and not putting up much offence, but that puts a bit more pressure on the 4th line to actually chip in some offence. Which I'm not sure can happen to the extent the Leafs will need as long as both Ritchie and Simmonds (to Simmonds credit he looks better/quicker this year) are there.
So, with Kase showing some decent skill most nights, I'd prefer Mikheyev play on that checking line when he's healthy for a better chance to chip in the odd goal.
Then it's Engvall vs Ritchie for 4LW.
Also, the top 6 wins the majority of nights in the regular season, but playoffs are a different animal. I'd really hope by the time the playoffs roll around, that at least one of the bottom 6 lines can consistently contribute some offence.