Three Maple Leafs Underperforming and Becoming the Punchline in an NHL-Wide Joke
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a bit of a problem on their hands involving three players on the roster, including veteran Max Domi.
The Maple Leafs may be rolling at the moment, winners of 5 of their last 6 games, but there is a concerning trend emerging with a trio of players not being able to find the back of the net.
The Leafs have not historically had any real problems with putting the puck in the net, largely because they've had Auston Matthews and William Nylander lighting the lamp so frequently, with the pair combining for 109 goals last season alone. However, with Matthews currently sidelined, depth scoring has become a lot more important for the team. It also makes the lack of depth scoring a lot more noticeable.
According to The Athletic's Kevin Papetti, Max Domi, Pontus Holmberg and David Kampf comprise one third of NHL players who have played 200 minutes or more who have yet to score a goal. Yes, you read that correctly. Of the 9 players who have not yet scored a goal this season in 200+ minutes, 3 of them play for the Leafs.
Domi is in the first year of a 4-year deal signed this past summer, and after a hot start to the season, recording 6 assists through his first 6 games, the 2nd generation Maple Leaf has not registered a single point in 13 games since.
Domi is believed to be nursing some sort of an injury as well, which could be impeding his ability to produce the way he'd like to. Prior to last night's game, Domi had missed the previous two practices for reasons relating to "maintenance".
For Holmberg and Kampf, who have combined for a total of just 5 assists on the season, the level of production just hasn't been good enough. But as rough as it's been for these two players, they have been bottom six options for the Leafs, while Domi has been playing in the top six, making his lack of production even more inexcusable.
The Leafs have just 3 games coming up over the next 10 days, with their next one set for Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. Auston Matthews is also inching his way towards an eventual return, which could cut into the ice time of the 3 aforementioned underperformers. If and when that happens, snapping their slumps could become even more complicated.
Domi, Holmberg and Kampf may still be adjusting to life under a new coaching staff and becoming familiar with a new system, but the Leafs will need them to figure it out sooner than later, because the Leafs need to be able to roll 4 lines without production being a concern. The ability to roll 4 lines is a staple of any true contender and if the Leafs want to be recognized as such, they'll need to meet that criteria.
| POLL | ||
2 HOURS AGO | 210 ANSWERS Three Maple Leafs Underperforming and Becoming the Punchline in an NHL-Wide Joke Which of Domi, Kampf and Holmberg will be the first to score a goal this season? | ||
