Maple Leafs Suggested Lineup Changes to Boost Bottom-Six Productivity: Auston Matthews Gets New Line-mates
The Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup has some serious issues with their bottom six, so what if Craig Berube went crazy and decided to make a fresh new set of lines?
The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a bit of a hot and cold start to the season. A lot of questions surrounded how Craig Berube will utilize his lineup, and so far there have been some successes, while also having their fair share of failures when it comes to production.
So what if Craig Berube did something drastic to the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup, and made it look night and day from what fans have come to expect?
Here is a look at the newly revamped lines for the Toronto Maple Leafs:
McMann -- Matthews -- Robertson
Pacioretty -- Tavares -- Nylander
Knies -- Domi -- Marner
Lorentz -- Kampf -- Reaves
** These lines do not take into account Calle Jarnkrok or Connor Dewar's arrival **
Revenge Is Best Served Bold
If Toronto wanted to make a statement, they did so against Boston on Tuesday, shutting out their rivals 4-0, backed by strong performances from Matthew Knies, Morgan Rielly, and a wonderful game from new #1 starter Anthony Stolarz. Even better? They did it without Auston Matthews, who was suffering from an upper-body injury.
The Maple Leafs decided that they needed to show Boston they meant business, showing a side of them that unfortunately only comes out when they're missing their captain.
Matthew Knies was a monster all night, Max Domi looked like he's been playing top line minutes for years, and Toronto's powerplay finally exploded for three goals. Toronto looked like they had zero issues with stamina, energy, and grit as they forechecked and hounded the Bruins all night, including suckering them into a whack of penalties.
Toronto proved they can play not only well without Matthews but better. So if the evidence is there, why not try something different?
Max Domi's Need For Superstar Help
Speaking of Domi, what if Toronto were to take Matthew Knies and Mitch Marner, and move them into the third line with him? You aren't taking Matthews out of the top line, but you aren't putting Domi on the wing with Matthews. In Tuesday's game, Domi not once, but twice, skated through the entirety of the Boston defense for an offensive chance:
It feels strange moving Marner and Knies down, but it gives Toronto a massive opportunity to do something different that not only helps out their wingers but gives Domi the chance to show everyone exactly what he can do. We've seen glimpses with him and William Nylander earlier, so adding Knies and Marner would help Domi without taking away from each other.
Max proved he can play on the top line and pull through when Toronto needs it. He didn't score, but he looked rejuvenated given the new role. It's not gonna hurt Toronto to try it out, they can always move things back to the way they were.
Auston Matthews' True Test Of Leadership
Auston Matthews' journey so far as captain has been successful so far, proving that not only can he be a leader on the ice, but for the entire Toronto community as well.
So if Toronto wanted to test his leadership, they should stick him with a couple of struggling wingers. Bobby McMann would fill Knies' role as a power forward, and Robertson is Marner in this scenario. Both men could use a desperate injection of star power, and putting them with Matthews could work.
Robertson has the offensive potential, he's just forgotten how to score for some reason even though he led the team in goals for the preseason.
McMann however, for all his rough and tumble hockey is a very capable goal-scorer. He had 15 last season and already has three this season, and if you add Matthews to the mix; an elite passer in his own right, who knows what he's capable of.
In fact, Robertson and McMann connected several times last season, showing they already have some chemistry, so bring in the big guns and let them run loose. It would be an honest look at how Matthews controls his team with lesser players (not to take away from either player but they are no Marner or Knies) and see how much of an impact he can make away from his Core Four brethren.
Concluding Thoughts
It would be a bit ridiculous to see certain names line up on the depth chart, but for a coach who is all about tinkering, this seems up Craig Berube's alley. Spreading out his star power and letting other players learn from them by physically being with them consistently will lead to more success.
Cramping the Core Four within the first two lines has led to regular-season success but nothing in the playoffs. A big change needs to happen for them, but it's as simple as shuffling the pieces already available.
| POLL | ||
Which new line would you like to see going forward? | ||
| McMann/Matthews/Robertson | 53 | 17.5 % |
| Pacioretty/Tavares/Nylander | 146 | 48.3 % |
| Knies/Domi/Marner | 95 | 31.5 % |
| Lorentz/Kampf/Reaves | 8 | 2.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
