David Kampf's Return From Injury Complicates Things For Craig Berube And The Toronto Maple Leafs
While it's great news to see David Kampf back in action, it's hard to find room for all of the other players on the roster leading to some key pieces being left out.
On Wednesday afternoon it was announced that David Kampf was activated from the IR after missing the last 12 games.
It's a good indicator that Toronto is getting their injured players back, however there is a caveat that Craig Berube has to focus on which makes Kampf's return difficult: How does he fit everyone in the lineup?
Craig Berube Needs To Make Some Tough Decisions
There were two casualties from David Kampf's return to the lineup as Pontus Holmberg and Connor Dewar are presumed to be scratched unless Berube decides to make a last minute choice as he is known to do.
Both men haven't been fantastic this season however have offered Toronto solid defensive metrics and have provided some stability in a lineup that is constantly shuffling through its players.
Dewar and Steven Lorentz were a great defensive shutdown duo and the addition of Ryan Reaves back in the lineup adds grit, but doesn't add the defense Toronto needs to succeed.
Holmberg has also started to take more of a understated role, and while Toronto would like him to get it going offensively, he does offer a bigger body to throw in the bottom half with offensive potential and defensive reliability.
It's the issues that come with having a laundry list of injuries that will eventually heal up.
The team has seen the returns of Auston Matthews, Jake McCabe, Bobby McMann, Max Domi, and others who have all found themselves taking over for their replacements.
Toronto is going to have to have every reinforcement possible for their matchup against the Dallas Stars.
Notorious for being a defensive beast, the team is first in the league is goals against and backed by a strong defense, the Leafs need as much firepower as possible.
It's understandable why Craig Berube wants to put together the lineup he had at the beginning of the season, as things were moving along nicely.
But with how well Toronto has done and with their other pieces coming in and doing a great job; it might be tough to go back to the old way if the team starts to fall apart.
