The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a much more interesting training camp than a contender usually provides.
The Toronto Maple Leafs essentially came into training camp with the possibility of two jobs being open.
Alex Kerfoot scored 50+ 5v5 points and wasn’t traded, so the top six left-wing spot looked to be his.
Ilya Mikheyev was lost, but Calle Jarnkrok was signed.
The top nine appeared in tact.
Jason Spezza retired, but the Leafs brought in Nicolas Aube-Kubal.
With the addition of Victor Mete and Jordie Benn, the Leafs had ten NHL ready defenseman on the roster, but no real place for Rasmus Sandin to even play.
That left the Kyle Clifford and Wayne Simmonds spots as the only places on the roster where a job was available. And both those guys are in camp.
But injuries to Pierre Engvall, John Tavares, Timothy Liljegren, Jake Muzzin, Jordie Benn and Carl Dahlstrom (among others) created several job openings and a much, much more interesting camp.
Denis Malgin and Nick Robertson have stood out, while Sandin has been signed and is now with the team.
So injuries, opportunities and an interesting training camp you do have. So what’s it mean?
The Toronto Maple Leafs Opening Night Lineup?
Opening Night is still over a week away, but here is what we are thinking so far:
Top Line:
Bunting-Matthews-Marner
The idea of Marner playing on the blue-line occasionally is interesting and fun, but I doubt we see it in a real game any time soon.
Second Line:
Robertson- Kerfoot – Nylander
I assume Tavares is going to miss a few games, and Kerfoot is the winger who most often takes reps at centre, and you sure as heck aren’t putting David Kampf here.
Third Line:
Aston-Reese- Kampf- Jarnkrok
I think the Leafs can more or less keep their defensive specialty line alive with ZAR subbing in for Engvall to start the season.
Fourth Line
Malgin – Gaudette -Aube-Kubel
This is a pretty great looking fourth line in my opinion. Lots more upside than with the two ex-enforcers, and better defense too. You’re not going to find too many teams with a more talented fourth line.
And if it doesn’t work out, you’ve potentially got guys like Kerfoot/Robertson, ZAR moving down the lineup when players get healthy, plus the likes of Pontus Holmberg, Kyle Clifford or Wayne Simmonds also available.