5 reasonable changes the Toronto Maple Leafs can make to right the ship
By Mary Clarke
4. Mix up the lines
With all the injuries accrued by the Maple Leafs this season, Toronto has devolved into a bit of a one-line wonder. Matthews is by far the team’s best scorer this season, with 27 points in 23 games, but since Marner has missed the last week and a half, the rest of the team is finally catching up to him.
Tavares, though injured earlier in the season, has been disappointing this year, with just six goals and 14 overall points in 16 games. Nylander has also underperformed, with 17 points in 23 games played. What was heralded as the Maple Leafs’ point of pride — their potent offensive attack — has been largely silent this season.
For players as talented as Matthews and Tavares, one has to think the team’s offensive leadership will find a groove sometime this season. Whether or not they find it too little too late for the Maple Leafs remains to be seen, but the struggles of the Maple Leafs’ stars can’t go on all season or it’ll be a major disappointment on all fronts for the team’s biggest names.
As for the remainder of the group, juggling things around without Marner in the mix may spark a fire under some of Toronto’s underperforming depth players. The Maple Leafs don’t have a lot to lose here, given their current stretch is about as worst-case scenario as you can get. Developing chemistry is important, for sure, but when things have been as stagnant as they have been for Toronto’s offense, it’s time to start getting creative.