The Toronto Maple Leafs face added pressure to plug holes in the lineup with all their recent injuries - most recently, Matthew Knies was hurt in last Wednesday's game against Columbus.
Knies left the Leafs last game against the Columbus Blue Jackets after sustaining an undisclosed injury. Knies joins a crowded Leafs MASH unit that already includes top-six forwards John Tavares and Max Pacioretty. Also, Connor Dewar is on the shelf, leaving additional gaps in the forward group.
This situation now adds more pressure for the Leafs to find suitable replacements for the forward on IR. Tavares’ injury opened a gaping hole for a second-line center. Meanwhile, Knies leaves a spot open on the team’s top line.
As it stands, Pontus Holmberg has emerged as the Leafs second-line centre with Bobby McMann joining team captain Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on the top line.
Knies Injury Adds More Pressure on Toronto Maple Leafs to Land Another Forward
McMann is a dedicated worker bee that could be the next iteration of Zach Hyman or Michael Bunting. This opportunity could be McMann’s best chance to show that he belongs in a top-six role. If it works out, McMann could stick with Matthews and Marner, potentially sliding Knies down to the second line.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, here. It’s evident the Toronto Maple Leafs need another centre and solid winger. The big question is: Where will those pieces come from?
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a team that is maxxed out on their salary cap. They have very few options for adding to this team because unless someone goes on the LTIR and opens up space, they don't have any way to add players without moving other players out.
Are the Leafs going to cut bait on a player like Max Domi just months after signing him to a four year extension, or are they going to only add to the margins of their team? It seems doubtful, but stranger things have happened.
As other clubs, like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators, get set to hold fire sales, the Leafs are looking to improve but will need to find a creative way to improve their team within the confines of their salary cap situation.
There is a lot of speculation about what the Leafs should do, but the fact is that they are thin at centre even with a fully healthy lineup and they are short on assets to trade (no first round pick this year) and don't have any cap space. It will be interesting to see how Brad Treliving deals with this situation.