Having four superstar forwards is the biggest strength of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The “Core 4” of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander ensure that the Toronto Maple Leafs are competitive every season, and even with a significant drop off compared to last year’s all-in-at-the-trade-deadline edition of the team, the expectations are for them to once again compete for the Stanley Cup.
The stars get the attention, but new additions and young prospects could help the team reach new heights this season. Even if the team isn’t as deep as in years past, there is significant upside in Matthew Knies and Nick Robertson, while Free agents Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi will be counted on to provide secondary scoring this year.
To the benefit of the Leafs, the best part of this will be the internal competition for jobs.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe is known to mix his line combinations. This season Keefe will have more options at his disposal if these players meet expectations.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Competition Can Compensate for Depth
Newcomer Bertuzzi could potentially be slotted in on the top line with Matthews and Marner.
The added size of Bertuzzi, his scoring touch, and playing with the Leafs two biggest stars is a tantalizing thought. Meanwhile, should this line combination not work as expected, Knies offers a good backup plan. He also brings size and demonstrated the skills for top-six work during his cameo at the end of last season.
Ideally, Knies will find a spot on one of the top two lines, but there are options should he have any lapses that rookie players experience during the elongated NHL season.
Domi brings added flexibility to the forward groups. He is likely slotted for the wing but can play centre in a pinch. If necessary, he can be substituted for Knies or Bertuzzi on the top lines.
Domi’s questionable defensive play can be negated by playing on a third line with David Kampf or up in the lineup with someone like Matthews.
Perhaps the biggest question mark is Robertson. He could remain healthy, have a great camp, and still find himself with the Toronto Marlies to start the year, as Max Domi and Calle Jarkrok are expected to lineup on the third line wings.
Is playing on the fourth line the best for Robertson’s development? If not he could find himself on the Marlies.
Cracking the Leafs top two lines is a big ask of Robertson, although it doesn’t seem like it would be that hard for him to beat out Domi or Jarkrok both of those players likely get the first look since they are vets.
Regardless of how it all plays out, the Toronto Maple Leafs have given themselves options.
The internal competition will drive the players to earn their ice time and work for spots higher in the lineup. Bertuzzi, Domi, Knies, and Robertson also give the Leafs the ability to move players to various spots and cover injuries, when they inevitably occur.
In a few weeks, the preseason, then the regular season will help figure out what works best.