Team: 2022-23 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 10, 2023

Published: Mar. 10, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Load up the 1st line.

I like Jarnkrok with Tavares and want to see him there with O'Reilly now.

The third line of Bunting - Acciari - Lafferty would just be very annoying to play against. They'd hit a lot and have scrums after every whistle and with Acciari and Lafferty, Bunting wouldn't be on his own in situations so they could help distract some of the attention away from him. They also have speed and can score off chances their physical play would open up.

4th line is kind of whatever. Focus on defense. Kerfoot against 4th pairing matchups has done well recently. I know people say $3.5M shouldn't be on the 4th line but at this point whatever, play the best lines, cap hit isn't going to change now.

On the Defence, McCabe - Brodie just seems really good so far so keep them together.
I like Lilegren with Rielly, I think the main issue with that pairing so far has been them being the #1 pairing going against the toughest matchups. With McCabe Brodie being the #1 pair, this lets Rielly and Liljegren be paired up against slightly easier matchups and puts Lily more in a position he belongs (and Rielly again going back to ignore cap hits)

Gio - Schenn for the tough shot blocking hard-hitting pairing that keeps guys away from the front of the net. You switch out Holl and Schenn every couple of games so neither is overworked, but both always play with Gio.

I think Nylander should be moved to PP2. With him being moved up to line 1 on 5v5, he should be okay moving off PP1 and this gives you two legitimate PP lines. Bunting with O'Reilly has looked good the few times we saw it on PP2 also.
Jarnkrok on PP1 gives another shot option in place of Nylander (although I know its not as good).

Take Rielly off PP1. PP1 shouldn't need more help with scoring, they have Tavares, Marner, Matthews (and Janrkrok). But they cannot be giving up shorthanded goals. Put Brodie there to cycle the puck around but mainly for the few times PP1 misplays it and they need a strong quick defender to bail them out.

Move Rielly to PP2 and put Lily on the right. Again, Lily is there to bail out any mistakes the PP makes but can also help make plays from the back line.

For PK, I just want O'Reilly to take that first spot with Marner. His defensive play with Marners and them both having the offensive ability would be great.

Move Kampf down to PP2 and pair him with Acciari, another great defensive player. (Also re-unite Gio - Brodie for the PP2 D pairing).

If Reilly needs a game off or gets hurt, that is the only situation where Gustafsson comes in. Thats why Dubas brought him in instead of a 3rd-4th round pick in the Sandin trade. Hes there as a potential Rielly replacement, nothing else. If McCabe or Gio go down, move Brodie back to the left and play Lily - Holl - Schenn on the right.