Maple Leafs Expected to Announce Some Big Changes on the Blueline
Expect the Toronto Maple Leafs to make changes to their defensive pairings for the upcoming slate of games, beginning on Wednesday in Dallas.
Head coach Craig Berube has been impressive in his first season with the Leafs, who are currently 19-10-2 and sit atop the Atlantic Division.
One thing Berube is known for -- unlike his predecessor Sheldon Keefe -- is his willingness to frequently switch up line combinations to find the ideal fit, rather than sticking with things that aren't working.
To that point, it appears as though Berube may be adjusting the defensive pairings as early as the next game.
As per LeafsNews on X:
These new pairings differ from the usual combinations: Morgan Rielly is typically paired with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Chris Tanev usually plays alongside Jake McCabe. While the changes are significant, they could provide a fresh look for a team that is looking to optimize its defensive play, and is constantly adapting.
In addition to the defensive shake-up, Berube is also looks to have found an impressive new third line, featuring Max Domi, Bobby McMann, and Nick Robertson.
Another potential change could be associated with Jani Hakanpaa, whose health is currently a big question mark. The towering 6'7 Finnish defender has struggled with injuries throughout his short tenure in Toronto, and has not been able to stay healthy this season, which could make the Maple Leafs explore a replacement for him.
One thing is clear: Craig Berube is a coach who is not afraid to make adjustments when necessary. This should serve as a warning to the Maple Leafs players -- if you don't perform, you may find yourself on the outside looking in when it comes to the lineup, because this is clearly a performance-based group.
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DECEMBRE 17 | 2736 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Expected to Announce Some Big Changes on the Blueline Should the Maple Leafs look to acquire a Jani Hakanpaa replacement? | ||
| Yes | 2034 | 74.3 % |
| No | 702 | 25.7 % |
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