The Toronto Maple Leafs Second and Third-Line Centre Debate

Scenario 3

The third scenario is that Berube makes no change from what Keefe has been doing for years and that would be continue to pair Matthews and Marner together while putting Knies back on the line.

This seems unlikely because Craig Berube is probably going to want to put his stamp on the team, and there is also no way he is unaware of how many points Domi and Matthews were producing together.

Re-signing Domi doesn't seem like such a bright move if they aren't using him with Matthews where he was far better than he'd ever been anywhere else.

The second line again would see Tavares continue to be paired with Nylander with McMann. This is a fine line but it lacks defensive abilty and with Domi on the third line it creates a whole bunch of matchup problems.

With Domi centering the third line with Robertson and Järnkrok on his flanks coach Craig Berube would have to shelter this line in order to make it effective, which means you can't get Matthews favorable minutes.

This not only sees no creativity but would be the stamp on the we're "running it back" theme.

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

This is probably the worst thing that Berube could do.

One thing is for sure: Moving Marner to centre makes the lineup a lot better because it gives the Leafs the option to use Tavares either at the wing or as the centre on the third line, both of which have their pros and cons, but both are also superior to using Domi at 3C which seems like a disaster waiting to happen.