What Toronto Should Really Do

Team: 2018-19 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Nov. 28, 2018

Published: Nov. 29, 2018

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

First of all on the PK, Ozhiganov should be given a trial on the first line. Hainsey has been less than impressive, and Zaitsev isn't really top PK unit calibre though he does a good job of inflating Kapanen's PK offense. If Ozhy doesn't pan out, he can take Hainsey's role on the second unit. Hainsey and Lindholm need to stay off the PK.

Toronto's PP has been very strong. Still, Johnsson, Leivo, and Ennis do not make up a very impressive 2PP unit. Nylander will bump Kadri out of the first unit, and Kadri will in turn replace Ennis. Brown and Dermott have had success this year on the PP so maybe they could vie for the final spot over Leivo. Ennis really should stay off the PP. Leivo and Ennis have no future on Toronto's PP. Johnsson does and Dermott could. Especially if Dermott replaces Gardiner next year.

Marleau-Tavares-Marner stay as the top line, and they take a small step back in even strength ice time. Hyman-Matthew-Nylander is the second line, and they take a small step back in ES ice time. Johnsson-Kadri-Kapanen is the third line and they take a step forward in ice time. They function as the second shutdown line that turns oppositions second scoring lines into defending lines. This is the best ES line on the team. Gauthier-Linholm-Brown is the bottom line, and they are the top shutdown line. They play almost exclusively against teams top line, and do not create much offense, but they eliminate offense quite effectively. Rielly and Zaitsev are the top D line. Gardiner and Ozhiganov are the second D line and the primary shutdown line. They get an increase in ice time. Dermott and Hainsey are the bottom line and get a cut in ice time. Hainsey gets a total 3-4 minute ice time cut. He’s running out of gas and you simply can’t be a top line D and give away 7 pucks in a game. He’s behind the game and less pressure would help his overall game.