Équipe: 2021-22 Maple Leafs de Toronto

Date de création initiale: 30 juill. 2021

Publié: 30 juill. 2021

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

Here is what I think Dubas plans are with the way he has constructed the lineup this offseason.

First Line:
I think anyone can play with Matthews and Marner. They are such a good duo together and the way Bunting plays with his ability to drive the net and battle for pucks, I think he will be a good fit. I don't really have any worries here. I think Bunting has the potential to explode much like Carter Verhaeghe did last year on the Panthers. In this role I can see him getting around 20 goals and 35 points in an 82 game season. If it doesn't workout for him, or if the Leafs sign another top 6 forward, I can see him taking the LW spot on the fourth line instead of Robertson. He would still produce offense with Spezza and Simmonds, but obviously less than playing with Matthews and Marner.

Second Line:
Just like the first line, Tavares and Nylander are a formidable duo. Last year literally everyone played on their wing without it affecting their production. Kerfoot looked really good when getting an elevated role on the team during the playoffs and I think he will be the third component on this line. I'd definitely look at him putting up similar number to the ones he had in Colorado now that he will have a more offensive role (Around 15 goals and 40 points). If he doesn't get that bump to the 2nd line, I can see Kase playing here on RW and Willy moving over to LW. Kase is a smart player with a good shot that had one and a half good seasons in Anaheim (20 goals in 17/18 and 20 points in 30 games 18/19). The 19/20 season was tough for him (7 goals in 55 games with Anaheim and Boston) and last year he was hurt and didn't play. It is a gamble for sure, but I feel like he better slots in on the third line to start with and can be moved up in the lineup if he performs well and others doesn't.

Third Line:
This will be an all defensive line. These guys are not expected to score any goals, just to play against the other teams best players. Mikheyev is really solid defensively, great skater, big body and really coachable. Whatever his assignment is on a certain night I feel confident that he can execute the plan accordingly. Kase has a really solid two-way game, good speed and can be the scorer on this line, although it will be hard with the lack of offense the other two guys provide. Kämpf will slot in as the center here. He is a workhorse that is great on face-offs, has a great stick and was the player on Chicago that had the most defensive zone starts of all their centers. He is going to be extremely valuable to this team defensively, something that the casual fan maybe won't understand until after a few months of watching him play. I can also see Engvall playing on this line from time to time if needed or if the lines are moved around. He fits the same description as Mikheyev.

Fourth Line:
An all offense line that I think will make many fourth lines in the league defend. Robertson can be eased in to the NHL and gets to play with two great vets that he can learn so much from. Spezza is still a really good playmaker and Simmonds looked great until he broke his wrist. Robertson is a goalscorer with a great engine I really like the fit on this line.

Scratches:
The two forward scratches Engvall and Gabriel will have roles on this team as well. Engvall can play on both the third and fourth line. He has great speed and is a reliable two-way player. In tough back to back situations he can slot in at center at 4th line to give Spezza a rest (Amadio and Brooks can do this as well). Gabriel is a great guy and will be a good addition to the locker room. His work with the LGBTQ+ community is great and his gritty style on the ice will make him a fan favorite. In some games when his physicality is needed, he can slot in and provide that. Good option as a 14th forward.

Defense:
I don't think that the two first defensive pairings need any explanation. Exactly the same as last season and we know exactly what we get from these guys. My only concern is the third pair. I like Sandin and Dermott, but together? Not so sure. I think this pair is the weakest point on the team and I feel like a player like Bogosian was last season is needed here. Maybe they start the season together and add someone before the deadline, but ideally, they add a solid defensive defensemen here before the season starts. I can see Dermott getting dealt as I think Sandin has more upside than him. My suggestions to add here would be Demers or Gudbranson via free agency, or guys like Brown (Ottawa), Coghlan (Vegas), Lyubuskin (Arizona), TVR (Washington) or Rutta (Tampa) via trade. Liljegren will get chances this year and should be the 7th defenseman during the regular season if Dermott is moved. If Dermott stays and the Leafs add someone, he will be 8th on the defensive depth chart.

Goaltending:
The goalie tandem is great and will give the team a chance to win every night no matter who is playing. I feel really confident with these two guys.

Other Options:
I just put the other players that realistically are going to try to battle for a spot on the taxi squad. I know this is not a thing this year but it was just to show the depth the Leafs now have with players that can play in the NHL. Brooks was really good last year and could come in and play some games when there are injuries. The Leafs know what they get from him. Semyonov is interesting. Initially I thought he was going to play the Kämpf role, but now he really will have to impress to make this team out of camp. Getting a few games in the AHL won't be bad for him to adjust to the North American game, and he can be an option later on in the season. Dubas said himself that he think guys like Anderson are going to push for a spot this season. He could just like Brooks get chances when injuries occur and the same applies to Amadio. Biega, Dahlström and Hutchinson all have NHL experience and can fill in if an injury crisis arises.