An Early Guess as the Toronto Maple Leafs 2021-22 Lineup

The Second Line

John Tavares and William Nylander are the best second-line pairing in the NHL, and I expect them to have an absolutely huge year because Nylander just never seems to stop getting better.

Prior to Marner turning into an elite defensive presence, they were essentially interchangeable at 5v5.  If Nylander played every game with Matthews, and got on the first PP unit, I’m sure he’d approach 100 points, and he might anyways.

Nylander continues to be the NHL’s most underrated forward, and in a way that reminds you of politics, there are actually people who are Leafs fans who don’t like him.  It’s honestly embarrassing, but what can you do?

Nylander and Tavares spent the most time last year playing with Alex Galchneyuk, and I’d have liked to see him come back, but since that doesn’t appear likely, I predict this spot will go to Nick Ritchie.

Ritchie gives the line some much needed edge, and though he’s never really scored at a higher rate than Pierre Engvall, given the chance here, he might.  If it doesn’t work it doesn’t work, but I think the job here is Ritchie’s, at least until Nick Robertson forces his way into the top six.