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The 2 Things that the Toronto Maple Leafs absolutely cannot afford to get wrong

There are 2 things the Toronto Maple Leafs have to get right this year.

By James Tanner

Apr 27, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Max Domi (11) battles for the puck with Boston Bruins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon (29) behind goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY
Apr 27, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Max Domi (11) battles for the puck with Boston Bruins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon (29) behind goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY / Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
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The TorontoMaple Leafs have a lot of options - they can try one of William Nylander or Mitch Marner at centre, they could experiment with John Tavares on the wing, they can keep Ryan Reaves, David Kampf and Calle Jarkrok on the roster, or they can clear room for some rookies. They can sign Max Pacioretty or they could finally promote Alex Steeves.

As you can see, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a lot of options. If they want to try almost any combination, they can, since there is not much that is set in stone - Chris Tanev will anchor the PK. Auston Matthews will lead the forwards in ice-time, that's about it.

But that said, there are two things that they absolutely cannot get wrong because the season depends on it.

The Leafs cannot afford to get it wrong with Easton Cowan or Max Domi.

The 2 Things that the Toronto Maple Leafs absolutely cannot afford to get wrong

Easton Cowan can't go back to junior, and if the Leafs follow their typical process of playing it safe and following NHL tradition they will send him there anyways.

The kid just won the league championship, MVP, playoff MVP and set a record for consecutive games with a point. He only failed to win the scoring title due to the games he missed. It would be criminal to make him repeat the eighth grade.

This is a player who can, at the bare minimum, add offense, depth scoring and maybe even challange for the Calder Trophy on a cash-strapped team for the league minimum. Cowan can't play in the AHL next year and he's too good for junior therefore he must play in the NHL.

The Leafs have Knies, Robertson, McMann, Liljegren and Woll all set to contribute at or near the league minimum. If you add in Easton Cowan to that list it will give the team an incredible opportunity by having nearly a third of an NHL roster contributing more than replacent level at the league minimum.

They cannot afford to screw this up, and short of an injury or a really bad training camp performance, Cowan needs to be in the NHL.

The other thing the Leafs can't afford to screw up is pairing Max Domi with Auston Matthews. This is the litmus test on Leafs management. If they realize what they have in Domi/Matthews they they are a smart group who we can trust.

If they continue to roll Domi out at 3C where he is demonstratably bad, then they are incompetant. It's that simple. The numbers are stark. Domi with Matthews produces like a franchise player. Domi at centre needs to be the most sheltered player in hockey just to have a chance at winning his minutes.

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The entire Leafs seasons depends on Domi being on the first line left-wing spot and Easton Cowan being in the NHL.

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