This forward line isn’t carved in stone, but just the thought of Sheldons Keefe’s napkin doodles will cause some profuse sweating among American Hockey League opponents.

With William Nylander finally ready to return this weekend, Keefe is considering a line with him at centre between wingers Connor Brown and Nikita Soshnikov. As solo acts at various times the past calendar year, those three have been the most exciting Leafs farmhands on blades. Together, they might have people whistling the Harlem Globetrotters’ theme as the league leading Marlies (34-8-2) approach the second half of the season.

“We practised them together today,” coach Keefe said as the Marlies headed to Grand Rapids for two games against the Griffins. “We used William and Connor together earlier this year (before Brown broke an ankle that sidelined him three months until this past Sunday). I haven’t decided what I’ll do for sure, yet. We’re missing Kasperi Kapanen on this trip who is banged-up (and might have been placed with someone in that trio).”

Nylander was leading the AHL in scoring when his bell was rung at the world junior tournament on Boxing Day. He never made it back in the lineup for the Swedes and just resumed full practice. And though Keefe hasn’t seen any lingering signs of concussion issues, Nylander is still not talking about his condition as a matter of club policy on injured players.

“He won’t play (Wednesday) and the plan is to give him a couple of more skates this week,” Keefe said. “He’ll play one of the next two (Friday against the Griffins or Saturday at home versus Binghamton), we haven’t decided.”

Brown scored twice in his return against Utica. After a team-high 61 points in 76 games last year, most put the once unheralded forward in the same conversation as first rounders Nylander, Kapanen and junior prospect Mitch Marner. Soshnikov, a young KHL free agent, has 15 goals in 38 games and is battling for the team lead in that department.

“It will be an interesting change around here,” Keefe said, “having gone from nights where we had defencemen having to be used at forward and guys we had to call up from Orlando, to now, having to make tough decisions with William coming back. But that’s part of the AHL.”

Arc of improvement

No disrespect to those who make the crystal etchings for AHL player of the week, but Mark Arcobello would prefer trading his recent award for a ride back to the ACC.

“I’ve been playing with Zach Hyman and Kapanen and it’s easy when there’s so much talent on that line,” said Arcobello of his recent play. “But that’s the goal, get back in the NHL.”

Eleven games during various call-ups with the Leafs have whetted his appetite, but having played in four NHL cities last year — Edmonton, Nashville, Pittsburgh and Arizona — he’s anxious to stay in the show. At least this year is an easier commute between two rinks and the Marlie time is put to good use.

“Frankly, it felt like a regular week for Arc,” Keefe said of the numbers he put up. “He was a dominant offensive player.”

The utility centre was recognized after four goals and three assists in three games, with a plus-6.

Toronto’s win a week ago against Syracuse included his two third-period goals to force overtime and an eventual win. A goal and assist Saturday against Utica and assist on the game winner the next day were part of his eventful run.

“Power play, penalty killing and I’m getting in for a lot of faceoffs and ice time,” Arcobello noted.

Brennan star-gazing

The Marlies hardly skipped a beat after time off at Christmas and Keefe is hoping the coming AHL all-star break helps “re-energize” his already strong team. Defenceman T.J. Brennan and winger Josh Leivo (currently up with the Leafs) have been selected from the Marlies.

The all-star game in Syracuse is not too far from Brennan’s hometown in New Jersey and lots of guests are expected.

Marlie notes

Joining the Marlies on their current road trip is another New Jersey-born defenceman, David Kolomatis, a former L.A. Kings mid-round pick from 2009 who signed an AHL contract on the weekend. He scored on Sunday against Utica. “We like his ability to add depth on our blueline,” Keefe said. “We’ve been missing (the injured) Justin Holl and Scott Harrington.”