A Guess at the Toronto Maple Leafs 2024-25 Opening Night Line-up Forwards
It's just a guess but here's what I think the Toronto Maple Leafs could look like in early October.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a summer that has been very underwhelming.
The Toronto Maple Leafs failed to add an elite goalie or defenseman to their roster, but they did improvce it, just in a high-risk sort of way.
Joseph Woll could win the Vezina and everyone will look like a genius.
But also might get into just six games and leave the starting duties to Matt Murray and Anthony Stolarz.
Regardless, the core-four means the Leafs will be a top team, and who knows, maybe this is our year?
Even though it's July and a lot of moves are likely to still occur, here is my way too early guess at the opening night lineup.
A Guess at the Toronto Maple Leafs 2024-25 Opening Night Line-up
First Line: Max Domi - Auston Matthews - William Nylander
This is the line I most want to see. Matthews will create a ton of extra room for Nylander to snipe, and vice versa. Domi is an elite passer who can feast on apples with this set-up.
Of course it's silly, but I imagine a scenario where Domi is the new Hyman and has a crazy breakout season way too late in his career for it to seem plausable.
Second line: Matthew Knies - Mitch Marner - Nick Robertson
It's imperative that the Leafs make Marner a centre. It just makes their team so much more dangerous and deep. This line will be insane because Marner will have to snipers to fee the puck to, but he won't be so predisposed to passing as he is when paired with Matthews.
Marner could score 35 goals here and give the Leafs the best top six in the league.
As for Robertson, trading him is silly and the team should just play him.
Third Line: Easton Cowan - John Tavares - Fraser Minten
The Old Man and the Kids. This line would be so fun to watch, and since neither other top line would need to be sheltered, they could really pick their spots here and watch both rookies succeed with the future hall of famer.
Tavares had a great year last year but had a lot of bad luck. With his luck turning and his incredible robot powers staving off decline, this should be a renaisance year.
Fourth Line: Connor Dewar - Pontus Holmberg - Alex Steeves
Just a classic cheap defensively responsible fourth line that has a bit of offensive upside. You wouldn't hesitate to use this line at any time, but it's dirt cheap so you wouldn't feel any pressure to get it mintues either. Just a great line.
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These are my predictions for opening night, here's hoping that Craig Berube has some of the same thoughts!