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Toronto Maple Leafs Top Training Camp Position Battles 2023-24

By Michael Jacobs

Oct 8, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe (left) looks up at the scoreboard as assistant coaches Manny Malhotra (center) and Dean Chynoweth look on during a break in play against the Detroit Red Wings at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe (left) looks up at the scoreboard as assistant coaches Manny Malhotra (center) and Dean Chynoweth look on during a break in play against the Detroit Red Wings at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Now that he signed a two-year extension, Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach Sheldon Keefe has one less thing to worry about going into the 2023-24 season. That’s not to say that he will now get a solid eight hours of sleep a night. He still has plenty on his head.

The Toronto Maple Leafs bench boss still needs to figure out how to go deeper in the playoffs and he has some interesting position battles come training camp, which starts on September 22nd.

As it stands right now, the Leafs top two lines should be a combination of these six names: Auston Matthews, Mitchell Marner, captain John Tavares, Matthew Knies, William Nylander and Tyler Bertuzzi.

Knies is not a sure thing, but he should be.

Toronto Maple Leafs Top Position Battles 2023-24

Although General Manager Brad Treliving might not be done with transactions before everyone convenes at the Ford Performance Centre in Etobicoke, the bottom-six should be a revolving variation that includes: Max Domi, David Kämpf, Calle Järnkrok and Ryan Reaves.

After that it is anyone’s guess. Keefe has some much-needed in-house competition at the forward slots. On defense, the Leafs have seven somewhat capable NHL defensemen, so there is a question mark with regards to the defense pairings and how much playing time Connor Timmins gets over Mark Giordano.

Here are a few of the decisions Keefe will need to make before he sets his opening night roster:

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