The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Lineup Challenges
The Toronto Maple Leafs are grappling with numerous challenges in their lineup as the season progresses. One of the key issues is the goaltending situation, exacerbated by the absence of Joseph Woll, which has placed a heavy burden on Anthony Stolarz. Furthermore, the defensive corps is compromised, primarily due to Chris Tanev, a crucial defenseman, who has suffered two concussions.
Offensive Struggles and Roster Changes
On the offensive front, problems have persisted since the offseason. Although the team brought in several depth forwards through trades, they failed to secure a suitable top-six replacement for the departed Mitch Marner. The Leafs acquired Nicolas Roy from the Vegas Golden Knights as part of the sign-and-trade for Marner, along with Dakota Joshua from the Vancouver Canucks and Matias Maccelli from the Utah organization. The influx of new players, particularly Roy and the others, has created a surplus in the forward ranks, particularly impacting veterans such as David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, and promising young player Nick Robertson.
Kampf, who served primarily as a starter under former coach Sheldon Keefe, appeared in only 59 games last season after the coaching change to Craig Berube. Meanwhile, Jarnkrok faced significant injury issues, limiting his playtime last season, where he saw mainly fourth-line minutes in the playoffs. In contrast, Robertson showed his scoring capabilities with 15 goals despite limited opportunities in the regular season, yet played in just three out of 13 playoff games.
Trade Discussions and Player Movements
The team opted not to use the buyout option available before free agency, choosing to retain Kampf and Jarnkrok despite their expensive signing bonuses which would yield minimal salary cap relief. Discussions of potential trades for both players were reported, but Kampf’s contract length and Jarnkrok’s injury history likely hindered any movement.
Adding to the competitive nature of the roster, recently claimed winger Sammy Blais, who also played for Berube in St. Louis, joined the team, while rookie Easton Cowan impressed enough during training camp to make the roster. Despite being offered to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Yegor Chinakhov over the summer, the Leafs could not find a trade partner for Robertson, whose main challenge lies more in fitting into the bottom-six role than his offensive prowess. In a recent game against Boston, Robertson managed to score his fourth goal of the season, although he recorded a -2 rating and spent nearly 16 minutes on the ice.
Kampf’s Career Decisions and Team Adaptability
Kampf’s situation became more complex when he was placed on waivers at the end of training camp. After clearing, he played a few games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies before stepping away to assess his career options. Reports indicate that the 30-year-old could be weighing a contract termination to pursue unrestricted free agency, although implications regarding a signing bonus from the Leafs may complicate matters.
Meanwhile, both Jarnkrok and Blais have proven to be adaptable players within the rotations, and Cowan held his own during his stint in the NHL, scoring his inaugural goal in Philadelphia. However, Cowan was recently sent back to the Marlies following Scott Laughton‘s return, which was abruptly cut short after just five periods due to an injury from a hit by Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov.
Coaching Strategies and Future Outlook
The inconsistency in the Leafs’ performance can be partially attributed to Coach Berube’s ongoing changes to the forward lines, as he searches for a suitable COVID-era replacement for Marner in the top six. This season, the team has cycled through players like Maccelli, Max Domi, and Cowan yet has often reverted to pairing William Nylander with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies for a top-heavy approach. General Manager Brad Treliving continues to seek a solution for the top-six forward gap leading up to the trade deadline while the Leafs strive for answers from their current squad.
