Toronto Maple Leafs drop major preview to opening night lines
Toronto Maple Leafs Craig Berube is one step closer to setting his opening day lineup.
And while there’s a little under two weeks (and three preseason games remaining) before the team takes to the ice for real on Oct. 8, Berube showed some major hints as to what the final roster will be once the season begins.
As per TSN’s Mark Masters, the Leafs hit their practice rink on Friday with an NHL-heavy roster, with only a few new additions in the mix. Max Domi was on the top line alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies in place of the since-departed Mitch Marner.
Here’s what the full Leafs’ forward groups looked like at practice:
- Matthew Knies – Auston Matthews – Max Domi
- Bobby McMann – John Tavares – William Nylander
- Dakota Joshua – Nicolas Roy – Matias Maccelli
- Steven Lorentz – Scott Laughton – Easton Cowan
- Extras: Nick Robertson, David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, Michael Pezzetta
Perhaps most interesting is the inclusion of Easton Cowan on the team’s top four lines, which could be a sign that the 2023 first-round pick will be making his NHL debut next month.
This past season with the London Knights, Cowan put up 29 goals and 40 assists over 46 regular-season games, followed by 13 goals and 26 assists over 17 OHL playoff games en route to the league title. At the Memorial Cup, Cowan added four goals and three assists in five games to win tournament MVP and the national title itself.
The team’s backend was filled with familiar faces, with trade addition Henry Thrun being the only new Leafs player in that position group.
Here’s how the defencemen shook out:
- Jake McCabe – Chris Tanev
- Morgan Rielly – Brandon Carlo
- Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Philippe Myers
- Extras: Henry Thrun – Simon Benoit
In net were Anthony Stolarz and Dennis Hildeby, the latter of whom will likely be sent down to the AHL upon the return of Joseph Woll from a personal leave.
The Leafs return to preseason action Saturday night in Toronto against the Canadiens.
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