What the Toronto Maple Leafs lines now look like after latest moves
The Toronto Maple Leafs will look noticeably different when they take to the ice this coming October for the first time.
Through the first day-and-a-bit of free agency, the team’s seen five departures, most notably Mitch Marner, who departed to the Vegas Golden Knights after nine seasons with the team.
Of the four other players they’ve seen sign deals with other teams, only Pontus Holmberg played any major minutes for the team last season.
But while the Leafs won’t be playing any meaningful games until October, it’s never too early to hazard a guess at what they’ll look like the first time they step on the ice next season.
With the help of DailyFaceoff.com, here’s an early look at what Toronto’s forward group might look like on opening night:
- Matthew Knies- Auston Matthews- Matias Maccelli
- Bobby McMann- John Tavares- William Nylander
- Max Domi-Nicolas Roy- Nicholas Robertson
- Steven Lorentz- Scott Laughton- Calle Jarnkrok
Maccelli and Roy are the only newcomers, having been traded from the Utah Mammoth and Golden Knights earlier this week. Meanwhile, Robertson is a restricted free agent, meaning Toronto still has to come to terms with him on a new contract before next season.
There’s also the possibility of a reunion with Max Pacioretty, who scored three goals for Toronto in the postseason. The 36-year-old former Montreal Canadiens captain remains unsigned as of press time.
As for a 13th forward, consider new signing Michael Pezzetta, who comes over to the team as a former Canadiens draft pick as well. And then there’s youngster Easton Cowan, eager to crack the lineup after a strong showing with the Memorial Cup-winning London Knights this past year.
As for the defensive pairings, Toronto is bringing back the same lineup it used in the playoffs last year.
- Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev
- Morgan Rielly-Brandon Carlo
- Simon Benoit-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
In net, Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll return for Toronto.
Of course, the Leafs could always make a few more tweaks before the season, but it probably won’t deviate much from this after the biggest moves of the summer.