No. 4: Michael Bunting
But wait, Michael Bunting is the Leafs first-line left-winger, why would he move down to the second-line?
Although that trio was fantastic and electric all season, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner drove that line. Bunting was a great contributor, but for the most part, Matthews and Marner did everything to make Bunting a Rookie of the Year candidate.
I know you can’t put literally any player with Marner and Matthews, but if the Leafs want to really maximize Matthews’ skillset, Nick Robertson could be a perfect fit on the first-line, bumping Bunting to the second-line.
i’ve always thought that Matthews and Marner can be effective with almost anyone beside them, while Tavares and Nylander could use a little more help to drive the line.
As such, Bunting can be that grunt worker for the two skilled guys and Matthews and Marner can find someone else to help them.
If Sheldon Keefe wants to balance out the roster more, Bunting could be best suited on the team’s second-line this season.