Team: 2021-22 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 31, 2021

Published: Jul. 31, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

My prediction right now to start the season. All I know training camp is going to be big for the bottom 6 similar to last season (this is a good problem to have). Well done Mr. Dubas.

I think the first line is a lock. A slower Ritchie with a big body to get to the front of the net with the speedy and skilled (at least in regular season) Matthews and Marner.

2nd line: JT and Willy are locks. Bunting is my guess right now as he is more of a gritty, get in the corners, get infront of the net winger who can score which is perfect for the other two on that line. Other option is Kerfoot on LW (like the playoffs last season where he did well) and bunting somewhere in bottom 6 with Kampf as third C.

3rd line: Assuming Kerfoot is playing 3 C... pair him with Mikheyev who we know is unreal defensively and at keeping/retrieving the puck as well as Kase on the right who can very well score and compliment Kerfoot well (Kase is can be a very underrated asset next year if he can stay healthy).

4th line: In my opinion its between Robertson and Simmonds here obviously depending on pre-season but my guess is Robertson will likely start the year playing top minutes with the Marlies who will eventually come up if there are injuries or depending on how well he does in the AHL. I think it will be good for his development though and come playoff time he will have a spot in the NHL. Spezza and Kampf are locks on the fourth with Kampf likely getting a lot of defensive zone starts with the third line as well.

Defence is pretty much a lock with a rotation of Dermott/Liljegren and possibly Sandin on that bottom pair.

Goaltending: Campbell and Mrazek splitting starts while riding the goalie who is playing well.

Engvall my guess is he will be traded for a late pick if anyone is interested or else he will be waived similar to last season.

Only other thing is if Keefe decides to go with a pure shutdown line we could have a third of Kerfoot - Kampf - Mikheyev but then im not sure where Kase goes because I doubt it is the fourth line. Although Mikheyev Kerfoot and Kase are a pretty good shutdown line as well because all 3 can play both ends of the ice. Kase provides a scoring threat which would be nice on the third line.

I would love your feedback / opinion in the comments! Go Leafs GO :)