The Toronto Maple Leafs bottom-six group is the same as the end of last season. However, what can we expect from new head coach Craig Berube? The first thing that comes to mind is a lot more forechecking.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will use some combination of David Kampf, Pontus Holmberg, Calle Jarnkrok, Max Domi, Ryan Reaves, Connor Dewar, Nick Robertson and Bobby McMann in their bottom six. They will have some competition from Leafs rookies Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten. Both will try to earn a roster spot when training camp begins.
Who knows how Berube will want to use Max Domi, who re-signed for four years at $3.75 million a season,but he could play anywhere from third-line center to riding shotgun with Auston Matthews.
Having Domi in the top six opens a spot in the bottom six for Cowan or Minten to earn. Domi has done a decent job as a center the past two seasons, but he could benefit from playing with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and team captain John Tavares. (Salary cap information from puckpedia.com)
A bottom six consisting of Kampf, Holmberg, Dewar, Reaves, McMann, and one of Minten or Cowan may seem underwhelming, but head coach Berube will not expect anything flashy. Hard work and good forechecking are to be expected from this group. That's not to say that these players won't produce much offense because they certainly have the talent to do so.
Here is a look at what to expect from the Leafs bottom six this season.