New Leafs Line Combinations May Suggest that Max Domi is Being Showcased and Shopped
Some new lines for the Maple Leafs could indicate that the team is attempting to showcase veteran forward Max Domi ahead of the trade deadline.
On Wednesday, we saw the Maple Leafs get thumped by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and to make matter worse, they lost winger Matthew Knies to an unfortunate upper-body injury as well.
Knies left near the end of the second period after falling awkwardly during the completion of a hit on Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko. He collided with the legs of the linesman before heading off and would not return.
Already without Connor Dewar, John Tavares, Max Pacioretty and Calle Jarnkrok up front, the injury to Knies is forcing the Leafs to lean on their depth once again and for Craig Berube to create a whole new forward group.
When the Leafs took to the ice on Friday for practice, many were surprised to see Max Domi in a top-six blue jersey. Reporters in attendance speculated he would be joining Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on the top line in Knies' absence.
That, however, was not the case. Line rushes began and it was Bobby McMann that saw the promotion to the top line.
Amid trade rumours, and a 14-game goalless drought, Domi skated on a line with William Nylander and Pontus Holmberg. Although it is out of necessity, the promotion to the second line for Domi appears to be an attempt to get him going offensively and perhaps, showcase him for a potential trade.
David Kampf and Steven Lorentz were bumped up to the third line with Nicholas Robertson while Ryan Reaves will be the veteran on the fourth line with rookies Fraser Minten and Jacob Quillan, who is expected to make his NHL debut on Saturday.
On the back end, Berube made one change, inserting Philippe Myers next to Simon Benoit instead of Conor Timmins, who will likely be scratched for Saturday's game against Ottawa.
In goal, Anthony Stolarz joined the team for practice as he continues to recover from knee surgery, but departed before line rushes.
While close to a return, Saturday's starting goaltender is still unknown as Berube has yet to decide between Joseph Woll and the recently recalled Matt Murray.
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