Early line combinations for the Leafs revealed
The Leafs were finally able to slay their first round demons this spring, ousting the Tampa Bay Lightning in 6 games to advance to the 2nd round for the first time in 19 years. The celebration was short-lived, however, as the Leafs were then beaten in 5 games by the Florida Panthers in round 2.
I think it's a fair assessment to say that most had assumed that the Leafs would experience some significant changes this summer as a result of yet another early loss, especially after adding 6 players before the deadline, including Ryan O'Reilly, one of the bigger trade deadline targets. Many had also speculated that the team's core would be broken up this summer. However, after the departure of Kyle Dubas, the team's new GM, Brad Treliving, emphasized the difficulty in finding truly elite players, revealing that he, too, would prefer to keep the core together and work around the edges.
The Leafs were able to add some solid pieces this summer in Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi on the 2nd day of free agency. They also snagged Ryan Reaves and John Klingberg on July 1st to help play important roles for the team, adding some toughness and leadership, as well as more offense from the blueline.
We don't yet know if the Leafs will make any additional moves in free agency or in the trade market, but with Treliving's comments about wanting to alter his defense corps even after the Klingberg signing, anything is possible. There's also the possibility that William Nylander is traded if he doesn't agree to sign an extension this summer.
Assuming, though, that this current group will be the one to start the season, here's how Daily Faceoff believes the lineup will stack up:
Training camp will tell us a lot about how the lines will actually shape up, but for the most part, I can see something very similar to this being put together to begin the season. For cap-related reasons, we may very well see Nick Robertson and Pontus Holmberg begin the season in the AHL, because they're waivers-exempt. The one thing I wonder about, though, is whether Max Domi will begin on the 3rd line with Matthew Knies elevating to the 2nd line. Of course, a swap like that may occur in-season, rather than to begin the year.
At any rate, this group certainly appears capable of doing some damage this season. There are many different combinations that could bear fruit for the Leafs and I do expect that we'll see Keefe shuffle the deck and try a few different things this season.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 6 | 619 ANSWERS Early line combinations for the Leafs revealed Would you start Matthew Knies on the 2nd line or the 3rd line? | ||
| 2nd line | 318 | 51.4 % |
| 3rd line | 200 | 32.3 % |
| Top line | 57 | 9.2 % |
| I might consider starting him in the AHL | 44 | 7.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
