The Leafs’ fourth line has been a continual point of contention this year. Fans are more or less happy with the Leafs’ top nine forwards, which has pushed much of the customary angst towards Fs ten through twelve. Most statheads think Ben Smith is a one-trick pony with a bad one trick. Frederik Gauthier is younger and more exciting, but hasn’t shown himself much better in actual play.
Does it matter? Sure it does. Your fourth line may play ten minutes a night; it’s still ten minutes a night you want to win. Further, in the event the Leafs lose a centre, the ideal would be someone who can play up the lineup.