Guru Tugginmypuddah
Well-known member
SHOTS FIRED.
2025-26 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion
- Thread starter herman
- Start date
SHOTS FIRED.
Craig Berube on evaluating Matias Maccelli's fit on Matthews' line: "Is he getting Matthews the puck enough for opportunities? That line plays against good lines, so he needs to be solid defensively, too"
After the first practice of training camp, head coach Craig Berube discussed his opening line combinations, Matias Maccelli starting on Auston Matthews’ line in Max Domi’s absence, Bobby McMann’s fit on the Tavares-Nylander line, and more. Training Camp Lines – Day 1 Lines at first practice of...mapleleafshotstove.com
This is why I don't think it's likely we see the Domi/Robertson/Cowan/Maccelli type guys on the Tavares LW; it's a waste to make Nylander the primary forechecker (which he can do pretty good) when he is the team's best F3 with his puck handling, distribution, and shooting abilities.
The Leafs, in the latter chunk of Keefe's tenure and for Berube's start, play a 2-3 OZ structure. The high forward helps the D stifle counter rush attempts, and also gives them attack options when the mess-makers down low dig out pucks and get open.
This is why I think the Leafs are really looking for forechecky RWs to unlock their plethora of zippy leftshot distributors. In the meantime, most of them will play off-wing to complement their glut of forechecky LWs.
I think they have to watch Tavares-Nylander defensively.
Domi & Nylander are probably the two worst forwards defensively. I doubt having them together is a good idea.
Tavares probably isn't what he once was. Career -15 with the Leafs in the playoffs.
McMann has some defensive conscience and abilities and played well with Tavares in the past but that won't last long if he doesn't produce. He said he worked on puck distribution over the summer.
dappleganger
Well-known member
OEL is better on the left side, play him there. Benoit wasn't great last season. Leafs needed an upgrade at 3rd pair RD. Maybe a door is open for Myers at that slot and Benoit is 7th D.
I think Reilly taking a big step could have the biggest impact on this team this year. We need a reliable puck mover back there, and I am hopeful that in his second year under Berube, he can better utilize his strengths in a more calculated manner. An established partner will help as well.
If there is a bounceback from Rielly after reviews of how he's looked, if Carlo picks up where he left off, if McCabe & Tanev carry on like last season, if OEL does well on the left side as he did to start last year and if Benoit makes the adjustment to the right side or some else steps up ... that is a bunch of ifs but there is a fair chance the D could be moderately improved over last season. Their biggest vulnerability might be injuries due to their age.