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Toronto Maple Leafs: The Five Thought Weekly Roundup

By Jordan Maresky

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 9: The Toronto Maple Leafs trio of Zach Hyman #11, Mitchell Marner #16, and Auston Matthews #34 set up a late play against the Winnipeg Jets in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 9, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Jets defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 9: The Toronto Maple Leafs trio of Zach Hyman #11, Mitchell Marner #16, and Auston Matthews #34 set up a late play against the Winnipeg Jets in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 9, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Jets defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 15: Pierre Engvall #47 of the Toronto Maple Leafs  (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 15: Pierre Engvall #47 of the Toronto Maple Leafs  (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Thought #1: The Play of the H-E-M Line

Leafsnation is quite a peculiar bunch. Only in this fanbase would a sweep of the Edmonton Oilers last week – where the team shutout the league’s second-highest scoring team twice and held Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to one point between the two – be the second most prominent storyline over the past 10 days.

The recent stretch from the Leafs third line has dominated headlines and has captured the attention of most viewers.

Zach Hyman, Pierre Engvall, and Ilya Mikheyev are often lauded for their defensive prowess, aggressiveness without the puck, and relentlessness on the forecheck. Dubbed the H-E-M line, the trio came together out of necessity last week due to Kerfoot’s promotion to the Tavares-Nylander line.

Specifically, Engvall’s play has been the biggest revelation. His ability to handle tough center minutes has lead some to believe Kerfoot is now expendable in a trade for a more talented top-six winger.

His contract ($3.5 million for another two and a half seasons), age (26), and versatility to play both wing and center would make the B.C. native attractive in a potential Filip Forsberg deal or even a Taylor Hall deal.

Friedman mentioned in his article this past week the Leafs have “been rumoured to be in on half the league”, with Forsberg mentioned as a specific target. Originally when I sat down to write this piece, I was hellbent on proving Kerfoot belongs as the Leafs 3C and Engvall should be the odd man out.

But over the past few days, my opinion has started to change. It seems as if every game the trio plays, they do something more impressive than the last. Another goal on Tuesday night for the H-E-M line, and with Kerfoot missing several high-danger chances set up by Tavares and Nylander, I am starting to see the merit in using the former Av as a trade chip instead.

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