Toronto Maple Leafs Tyler Bertuzzi Demoted From Top Line vs Capitals

The Toronto Maple Leafs will take on the Washington Capitals tonight, and the team will be going with a new look.

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe has made another adjustment to the lines during practice on Monday, after the team has stumbled out of the gate to a mediocre 3-2 record.

One the left side beside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on the first line was not the usual Tyler Bertuzzi, but second year Toronto Maple Leafs winger Calle Järnkrok.

TSN’s Mark Masters tweeted out the Maple Leafs lines at practice for Monday morning which showed that Bertuzzi had been moved down to the second line beside John Tavares and William Nylander.

Toronto Maple Leafs to Try Out New Lines vs Capitals

The former Detroit Red Wings forward was given the spot on the Maple Leafs top line since the start of training camp, however, Bertuzzi has done nothing to retain his spot playing with two of the top forwards in the NHL.

Through five games, Bertuzzi has yet to collect a point or be a factor on any of the Maple Leafs even strength goals, while registering just one power play point, which came as a goal on a one-time shot that was set up by Max Domi.

When the Sudbury, Ontario native was signed this off-season he was advertised as a gritty winger that does not shy away from the hard areas but he has yet to show any of that style of hockey.

Over the last few seasons, Matthews has typically had Michael Bunting or Zach Hyman on the left beside him.  Both players would try and usually succeed at being the first player on the puck in the corners which would create opportunities for Marner and Matthews, however, Bertuzzi appears more adapted at waiting in the slot for opportunities.

Of the seven goals scored by Matthews and Marner, Bertuzzi has been on the ice for just two of the goals and didn’t factor into either of them.

Calle Järnkrok Gets Top Line Chance

Taking his place on the top line will be Järnkrok who spent some time with Matthews last season and the two found some chemistry.

The two-time Rocket Richard trophy winner stated last March that Järnkrok was an easy player to skate with, stating “He’s sneaky good at so many things. So smart, gets into great spots — all over the ice, not just in the offensive zone. A real easy guy to play with. His release, it’s one of the prettiest releases I’ve seen. A lot of fun watching him get the puck off.”

Järnkrok is coming off a career season where he scored 20-goals for the first time and with two more seasons left on his contract after this season, it would be great if he could find real chemistry on the top line.

It does appear that Bertuzzi has been battling an injury and playing beside both Tavares and Nylander would be a promotion on most teams.