Toronto Maple Leafs: How the Lines Should Look in October

The Toronto Maple Leafs don’t need a major line overhaul, just some minor tweaks here and there.

But, I’m going to pretend that I’m the guy who gets to call the shots on this one. So, I’ll predict what the lines should look like come puck drop in October for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Keep in mind, this is a hypothetical prediction and the chances of this actually being remotely close to what we’ll see at the beginning of the season will most likely vary a great deal.

However, I’m always one to give it the old college try.

So, sit back and let’s get things started.

Last Games Lines

There’s no easy way of going about this, so I’m just going to jump in.

Here’s the lineup as of the last game of the playoffs from the 2016-17 season.

The players that are bolded are the ones that I’ll move out of the lineup and give reasoning for later.

Okay, good?

Zach Hyman – Auston Matthews – William Nylander

Leo Komarov – Nazem Kadri – Connor Brown

James van Riemsdyk – Tyler Bozak – Mitchell Marner

Matt Martin – Brian Boyle – Kasperi Kapanen

Matt Hunwick – Morgan Rielly

Jake Gardiner – Nikita Zaitsev

Martin Marincin – Connor Carrick

Frederik Andersen

Curtis McElhinney

Alright, boom.

Now we have something to fiddle with.

I’ll explain the bolded players now.

James van Riemsdyk

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van Riemsdyk’s stock is high, trading him should be looked upon favorably depending on the return and what type of package the Leafs will have to conjure up to dish out alongside him if any at all.

Also, I understand he has a modified no-trade clause of 10 teams, but what we’re not sure about is who those 10 teams are.

If the Leafs can land a Montour, Theodore, Shattenkirk, or Vlasic type of return, it’s time to send him packing.

He’s our best bet to getting a top pairing defenseman.

Trust me, if the Leafs could have both, I’d like that.

But, the matter of the fact is that there’s a pool of good prospects that could fill the spot.

Not to the same degree as van Riemsdyk right at the beginning, but still.

Need to lose some to win some, am I right?

Brian Boyle

I’d like the Leafs to sign Boyle back, but I have a feeling they would rather protect Martin.

That being said, I’m going to play it safe and say that his tenure donning the blue in white is over, as short and sweet as it was.

Again, Boyle impressed me a great deal and I’d love to have him back for another year or two.

Beyond that, his future is limited with the club as far as long-term discussion goes.

Matt Hunwick

This is an easy one and not a shot at Hunwick by any means.

The Leafs most likely wouldn’t resign him because if they had to pick between him or Polak, it’s Polak.

I’m sorry, but he’s a righty and more valuable than Hunwick.

Also, I’m not saying that Polak’s safe from all this either.

Martin Marincin

I don’t think the Leafs would protect him and if they were planning on it, they shouldn’t.

I also don’t know what team would want him, but I see enough internal competition within the Leafs organization to fight for his spot.

Even more so with the rumored signing of Calle Rosen who’s likely to be a Leaf after the World Championships.

October Lines

Now it’s time to slot some players in to fill the holes.

And keep in mind, I’ll be switching some players around in the lines and also hypothetically predicting who the Leafs will land because not everything can be solved internally.

The players in bold were not on the previous list and anyone that’s italicized was simply moved around in the lineup.

Alright, here we go.

Hyman – Matthews – Nylander

Komarov – Kadri – Brown

Josh Leivo – Bozak – Marner

Martin – Frederik Gauthier – Kapanen

Rielly – Brandon Montour

Gardiner – Zaitsev

Andrew Nielsen – Carrick

Frederik Andersen

Curtis McElhinney

Okay, I know I have some explaining to do.

Let me get started with that.

Josh Leivo

van Riemsdyk has more experience and skill than Leivo, nobody’s questioning that.

But, it’s time to part ways while his stock’s so high.

Leivo can serve in a similar role because he does have tremendous potential and is of similar stature and drive.

Let him grow into the position.

Also, he can play the left side, so don’t let that detour you.

The Leafs can sustain scoring as the youngsters are only going to get better.

That one wasn’t so painful, was it?

Frederik Gauthier

It’s time to give Gauthier a proper shot assuming Boyle’s lost.

He’s big, mobile enough and can win draws.

I say he fills the fourth line center role to start the season and the Leafs go from there.

Brandon Montour

Ya, this is where I need to explain myself a little bit.

Here’s the trade in my mind.

Or at least something along those lines.

The Leafs could go after someone established, but the cost will be high.

However, this is a win, win because they get their defensive solution and the Anaheim Ducks get some proven scoring help on the wing.

I threw Lindberg in there because he’s a big body with good hockey IQ (the Ducks can never have too much of that) and salary retention would be pointless as van Riemsdyk has only one year remaining on his contract.

I had to offer something else up.

You might ask if van Riemsdyk would even be open to signing a contract with the Ducks when his expires.

I asked that too.

Why not?

The Ducks are a good team and are deep.

Love me or hate me, that’s my trade.

I know, Montour’s a prospect, but he’s an elite one with great potential.

Andrew Nielsen

Like I said, the Leafs aren’t going to resign Hunwick.

Wave Polak goodbye because in my little world the Leafs are getting Montour, so Nielsen’s going to jump in on the third pairing.

I think his game has come a long way and he’ll be a big body to get by skating on a line with Carrick.

He’s an improvement on Marincin, similar reach, and mobility, just better.

A Few More Questions to Answer

Where’s Nikita Soshnikov and why is Kapanen still in?

Short answer, did you watch Kapanen play this past year?

He’s an improvement on Soshnikov, plain and simple.

Kapanen will make the opening night roster and if it’s between him and Sosh, well, you know my answer to that.

Now, here’s my answer regarding the status of Curtis McElhinney.

I think the Leafs should resign him and I don’t expect them to lose him in the Expansion Draft.

Lastly, what about guys like Brendan Leipsic, Kerby Rychel, Jeremy Bracco, Travis Dermott and some of the new signees?

Well, I ran out of room on the roster and just couldn’t fit them in or at least see where they’d fit in.

I mean, you try doing all of this.

It’s hard work.

And let’s not even venture with the Ilya Kovalchuk talk, okay?

That one just hurts my brain.

There you go, wow, that was a lot.