Toronto Maple Leafs

An Experiment I’d Like To See

There’s only 1 game left in the preseason, but one line combination we have yet to see, that I think might make some sense is the following: Mark Bell-Nik Antropov-Alexei Ponikarovsky.  The three have size, skill, and a similar pace to their game.  While Bell is not the second coming of Mats Sundin, he does possess a level of offensive talent that would mesh reasonably well with the twin towers.

Part of the problem the two ex-soviets have had this preseason is matching the pace of their suddenly speedy team-mates.  In their last two games vs. Detroit, they were paired up with Jason Blake for most of the game, and despite one solid chance off the rush, they generated little in the way of offence in the first game, before clicking slightly better in game two and scoring a couple of goals and almost potting one on a yawning cage (yes Alexei Ponikarovsky misses the occasional tap in).

In previous games, Antropov has lagged behind the pace of Kulemin and Grabovski, and was replaced with Niklas Hagman.  Part of the logic of NHL line combinations is selecting players who can mesh well.  Part of the reason for Sundin and Antropov’s success last season (along with Ponikarovsky in spurts) was the fact that the two were often in sync, both on the rush and down low on the forecheck.

Also, we have seen in recent games that Antropov seems to struggle at times with the need to be at both ends of the ice at critical moments.  He has also crumbed at times under the pressure of being the main man on the top line (his 2 giveaways in the past two games that resulted in goals for the Wings).  Perhaps this is just a case of trial by fire and he needs to weather the storm before cementing himself in the role, but perhaps he is just more comfortable with slightly less responsibility on the wings.

While Mark Bell may be just as prone to mistakes as Antropov at Centre, I think it likely that Ponikarovsky and Antropov on the wings are fairly capable of covering up some of those mistakes.  It might also make sense to not use Bell on the Power Play, and instead insert Jason Blake for offensive punch, but I wouldn’t be upset if the big trio worked with the man advantage to boot.

Now based on the time remaining, and the fact that Mark Bell seems to be getting little in the way of ice time aside from being in a checking role, the opportunity to test this theory when little to no risk exists is pretty much gone.  I don’t personally see it as a likely line combination in the near future, purely because I have yet to see any sign that Ron Wilson places much faith in the offensive skills of Bell.  I’m not sure if that’s a result of his time in San Jose, or just how Bell plays in general now, but it doesn’t look like it’s about to change anytime soon.

Despite that fact, I think it might benefit all 3 players, and perhaps increase the level of grit on what might once again be a physically fearsome trio for the Leafs.  If Ponikarovsky and Antropov provide some more consistent offensive flair, without putting too much pressure on themselves, it could work out quite wonderfully, and we might find out that Mark Bell is far from a spare part left over from the last regime.