Leafs appear to be making significant changes on D; Klingberg likely headed for the press box
After last night's embarrassing effort against the Ottawa Senators, which resulted in a 6-3 loss and getting booed off of home ice, the Toronto Maple Leafs have opted to try something a little different.
The forward lines remain unchanged, despite the Leafs having called up Pontus Holmberg from the Marlies this afternoon, but there were a few significant changes on the blueline at Thursday's practice. While Morgan Rielly remains with T.J. Brodie, the Buds appear to be trying out a 2nd pairing that consists of Mark Giordano and Jake McCabe, with McCabe playing the right side.
Brace yourselves, folks, because this next announcement may excite you. During Thursday's practice, John Klingberg skated as an extra, alongside the injured Conor Timmins, which could indicate that Klingberg will be watching the next game from the press box after an abysmal outing against Ottawa last night. Simon Benoit and William Lagesson formed the 3rd pair for the Leafs at Thursday's practice. Here's a look at the full group:
Knies-Matthews-Marner
Bertuzzi-Tavares-Nylander
Robertson-Domi-Jarnkok
Gregor-Kampf-Reaves
Holmberg
Rielly-Brodie
Giordano-McCabe
Benoit-Lagesson
Klingberg-Timmins (non-contact🛑)
Honestly, and it's probably not just me, but I'd liked a lot of what I've seen from Benoit and Lagesson during their limited time with the team. Benoit was, surprisingly, a +1 last night in a game where the Senators scored 6 goals. Lagesson wasn't exceptional last night by any stretch of the imagination, but has been very physical for the Buds, landing a combined 12 hits in the last 3 games. At the very least, they've both shown themselves to be more deserving of a roster spot than Klingberg.
Obviously, we won't know what the lineup will look like until tomorrow, but if today's line rushes are any indication, Klingberg will be in the press box and we'll get a good, hard look at what this Leafs team looks like without Klingberg on it, which is a huge plus, in my opinion.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 9 | 489 ANSWERS Leafs appear to be making significant changes on D; Klingberg likely headed for the press box If the Leafs win tomorrow without John Klingberg in the lineup, should they trade him? | ||
| Yes | 226 | 46.2 % |
| No | 53 | 10.8 % |
| They should trade Klingberg regardless | 210 | 42.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
