The Toronto Maple Leafs Second and Third-Line Centre Debate

Scenario 2

The second scenario is very similar to the first in which the top line still sees Domi, Matthews and Knies playing together. However, the change comes on the on the second line where Marner is still centering the line, but this time the wingers Nylander and Bobby McMann.

The third line would then see Tavares as the center playing between Nicholas Robertson (if they get him signed) and Järnkrok.

This is obviously an upgrade on the bottom six of the previous suggestion, but it weakens the top six.

In this scenario, the second line is obviously not as dangerous, but it would give the team three legitimate line options.

Tavares proved in the playoffs last year he could handle being a defensively responsible center, the question is whether or not he is ok with that being his new identity permanently and risk not being a 20-goal scorer anymore. The former first overall pick would have Järnkrok to help shutdown lines, while getting Robertson to chip in with the offence.

The second line would see two highly dynamic players in Marner and Nylander, with a simple and hard nosed McMann on the wing. There are still the concerns of Marner playing center for the first time in his career, but this is something I think the team really needs to take a look at. If the Toronto native can show he can play center at an elite level, well maybe $12M isn't out of the question for him.

These three lines also gives the team the ability to have Kämpf centering a duo that would include Ryan Reaves, Pontus Holmberg and Connor Dewar.

Knies-Matthews-Domi
McMann-Marner-Nylander
Robertson-Tavares-Järnkrok
Dewar-Kämpf-Reaves/Holmberg