The Leafs are deep up front
The Leafs forward depth is the envy of most teams around the NHL. Matthews, Nylander, and Marner are stars. Tavares is still likely a star player and young players like Matthew Knies and Nick Robertson should only get better.
Robertson found new life during the Maple Leafs preseason under Berube. The problem for the coaching staff is figuring out where to fit him in the lineup, if everyone is healthy.
Veteran Max Pacioretty and Robertson are wingers best suited for roles within the top nine forwards, although Jason Spezza did very well in a fourth line role, which is where Pacioretty should be playing. Last year's surprise, Bobby McMann and Calle Jarnkrok will be trying to keep their places within the top three lines.
The Leafs will benefit from the internal competition. They are also well-suited to withstand the inevitable injuries that will come throughout an eighty-two-game schedule.
The biggest task for the coaching staff and management is figuring out the line combinations that will set them up for postseason success. Underrated, but necessary, is finding a trustworthy, productive fourth line out of players.
As for individual performances, look for Matthews, Marner, and Nylander to once again drive the Leafs up front.
Matthews is the league's best goal scorer. Combined with his strong defensive play, he is the game's second-best player behind Connor McDavid. Expecting Matthews to chase seventy goals again this season is unrealistic. However, his internal drive combined with wearing the "C" symbolizing the Maple Leafs are now his team, means another big season ahead. Scoring sixty goals, another Rocket Richard Trophy and another Selke nomination are plausible.
Marner should be motivated heading towards unrestricted free agency next July. Another large contract awaits, either with the Leafs (his stated desire) or elsewhere. Either way, an inspired Marner is advantageous for the Maple Leafs.
Nylander is a proven forty-goal scorer whose numbers continue to ascend year after year. While his streak of setting new career marks in points every year will eventually stop, forty goals and a hundred points have become the norm.
Even with Berube emphasizing defensive play, the Maple Leafs should again be near the top of the league in goals scored. It will be a disappointment if they are not among the top three goal-scoring teams in the NHL.