Sheldon Keefe reveals the game plan for rookie center Fraser Minten in tonight's game against Detroit
The Leafs are back in Toronto tonight, hosting the Detroit Red Wings in what should be a good test for a roster that appears to be very close to what the team will ice on opening night.
19-year-old Fraser Minten will be the center of attention in Toronto tonight, as he'll dress as the team's 3rd line center, effectively ending the William Nylander at center experiment, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Shifting Nylander to center was always about trying to create an optimal lineup and spread out the skill on the roster. However, if Minten is actually ready to step in and play a key role for the team at the NHL level, then moving Nylander back to John Tavares' wing certainly isn't a bad decision. The question is, is Minten truly ready? Sheldon Keefe intends to find out.
On Thursday morning, following practice, Sheldon Keefe met with the media in Toronto and informed them that his intention for tonight's game is to play Minten "a lot", likely meaning that the rookie center will see usage in all situations, at 5v5, on the PK and with the man advantage.
Minten will start the game on a line with Matthew Knies and veteran Calle Jarnkrok in what has the potential to be a very good two-way line. Not only are all 3 of these players smart defensively, they're also good in transition and have shown the ability to produce some secondary scoring. Jarnkrok recorded his first 20-goal season of his NHL career last season, so he'll likely be the primary trigger man on that line, though Minten and Knies have also shown great chemistry in their time together at camp.
If Minten can prove to Keefe and the coaching staff that he's up to the task tonight, my guess is that he'll get one more look on Saturday in the Leafs' pre-season finale, with the Leafs really leaning on him once again, just to ensure that he can handle the pressure and make good decisions. If he can rise to the occasion, I see no reason why he shouldn't begin the season with the big club in Toronto.
