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Toronto Maple Leafs: The Best Possible Forward Lineup For 2017-2018

By Ryan Ferguson

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 23: Matt Martin
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 23: Matt Martin /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have finally signed Connor Brown.

The Toronto Maple Leafs may or may not be finished with their off-season moves. Like many Leaf fans, I believed that the team would have made trades by now, but I am starting to think that the roster might be set. James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak remain with the team.  It seems like the Leafs have too many forwards, but I think they can make it work. Below I will discuss what they should do to give themselves the best possible forward lineup with their current roster.

Toronto Maple Leafs: The Best Possible Lineup

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a number of options when it comes to their forward lines this fall. Here’s how I would roll the lines to begin the 2017-2018 season:

Marleau – Matthews – Nylander

Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 9: William Nylander /

JVR – Bozak – Marner

Komarov – Kadri – Brown

Hyman – Moore – Kapanen

Extras: Martin, Leivo, (Soshnikov to the Marlies)

Now before you jump all over me for relegating  Matt Martin to the press box, hear me out. First, I love Matt Martin. Second, he absolutely has an important role on this team and deserves to be in the lineup (sometimes). Despite his underlying analytics, I agree with the notion that Martin brings an important element that is largely missing from the rest of the Leafs’ roster. When suiting up against a tougher team that plays a physical brand of hockey I would insert him into the lineup. You could then give Patrick Marleau’s 38-year old legs a rest for a game or take out a player that has been struggling. This would help keep Marleau fresh and would provide internal competition. Then, when the Leafs play a softer team, like the Red Wings, you could roll with the lineup listed above.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Benefits

I think the benefits of this lineup are fairly obvious. My proposed first line scored a combined 89 goals and 176 points last season. That is some serious firepower. The second and third lines would remain the same from last season and would be able to build on their previous success and chemistry. The fourth line has a ton of speed and would be effective defensively, while also chipping in offensively. When needed, Matt Martin could be inserted into the lineup to provide more grit and toughness.

This lineup is also incredibly versatile as it features a number of players that can play up and down all four lines. It provides the team with depth to cover for injuries and options if certain players are slumping.

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Toronto Maple Leafs: Concerns

Matt Martin and Patrick Marleau did not sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs to play half the season. Likewise, the team is not paying them to be part-time players. Marleau is likely going to be in the lineup as long as he is healthy. Babcock will be forced to use him in a way that doesn’t burn the veteran out, but keeps him in the lineup on a regular basis.

As for Martin, he is very well liked by his teammates and coach. He was also protected by the Leafs at the expansion draft. Despite receiving criticism over protecting Martin, I believe the team made the right decision. But that doesn’t mean he should be in the lineup every night. The team is definitely faster and more skilled when he is not in the lineup, however, he played all 82 games last season and that may not change this year.

If Martin does take a regular spot in the lineup, then who will be the odd man out? My guess is Kasperi Kapanen as he is still waiver exempt and can be sent down to the Marlies. I don’t care how much you like Matt Martin and the intangibles he brings, there is no sane way that you can suggest he will have more of an impact on the team’s success than Kapanen. Kapanen is capable of playing on any line, producing offensively and playing a solid defensive game.

Next: Toronto Maple Leafs Top Prospects

Conclusion

The Toronto Maple have a number of options when it comes to their line combinations this season. Fortunately, for the team and their fans, they have one of the best coaches in the world. I am confident that Mike Babcock will put together a roster that plays a strong defensive game and consistently pushes the play offensively. No matter who is in the lineup on opening night, the team is stacked up front and will play an exciting brand of hockey.

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