Projecting the Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Lines to Start the Season

Line 3

With Knies occupying a position on the second line, Domi slots down onto the third. While some may worry he is wasted in the bottom six, this is actually an ideal position for Domi. It takes away a great deal of pressure.

Having bounced around the league, (the Toronto Maple Leafs are his seventh NHL club) there will be great scrutiny by fans trying to figure exactly who the 28-year-old is as a player. Playing on the third line allows Domi to play his game without trying to do too much. He remains a notable name, but without the expectation or requirement for him to be a star.

Domi could easily be the team’s third line center. However, that spot seems to be firmly planted in the hands of David Kämpf.

Kämpf has spent the last two seasons playing a full complement of 82 games, nearly all of which as the Leafs  third line center. At this point, he is a lock for the spot. It’s where he’s best deployed. If Kämpf is playing up the middle, then it means Domi will move to the other position he’s played in the NHL, left wing.

That just leaves right wing. Luckily, Calle Järnkrok can and has played on both wings as needed last season. He also moved up and down the lineup.

With the current group ahead of him, Järnkrok will start in a role more suited for him in the bottom six. With his versatility, there’s a chance that the 31-year-old finds himself in a different position as the season rolls on, but to start the campaign, he will be the team’s third line right-winger.

Max Domi (LW) – David Kämpf (C) – Calle Järnkrok (RW)