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Exploring Where Patrik Laine Could Fit into the Toronto Maple Leafs Lineup

Patrik Laine's highly publicised trade request opens up a unique opportunity for the Toronto Maple Leafs to add an elite-level player at a discount price. However, the big question remains: Where does Laine fit into the Maple Leafs lineup? Exploring the answer to that question reveals some tantalising possibilities.

By Nestor Quixtan

Patrik Laine would easily slot into the Toronto Maple Leafs top six. But the question remains where precisely Laine could land.
Patrik Laine would easily slot into the Toronto Maple Leafs top six. But the question remains where precisely Laine could land. / Kirk Irwin/GettyImages
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The Top Line

Laine could slot in nicely on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. It would be interesting to have both Laine and Matthews playing together as Matthews was selected. first and Laine second in the 2016 draft.

This arrangement could work as Laine is a left winger. Marner plays on the right side, making this line about as deadly as it can get.

But there’s one catch I see with this line: There would be three amazingly talented forwards. However, neither of the three is a puck-chasing hound that Matthew Knies can be, or formerly Zach Hyman and Michael Bunting.

This flaw makes a Laine-Matthews-Marner top line an alternative that I would not regularly deploy, especially in the playoffs. In fact, a Laine-Matthews-Marner line would be great for specific points in a game or when facing less physical opponents.

Overall, I think this line could provide Laine with an opportunity to regain his goal-scoring tough. Laine would be playing with an all-world centre for the first time in his career. Matthews, being the Selke candidate that he is, can take the defensive pressure off Laine, allowing him to use his speed to make plays happen.

As for Marner, he could easily top 100 assists with two natural-born goal scorers like Matthews and Laine. It’s a tantalising proposition to see this trio in action. However, Craig Berube will need to find creative ways to get around the opposition’s counterattack, especially against physical teams like the Boston Bruins or Florida Panthers.

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