Going into the new season, the Toronto Maple Leafs had plenty of internal competition in training camp. Over a week into the season, that competition is still very much alive. In Toronto’s win against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, the depth chart was forced to be re-evaluated. Bobby McMann scored a pair of goals in their 6-2 victory. In this game, he was on the second line alongside Max Domi and William Nylander. For most of the night, that was the best line for the Maple Leafs, and McMann was a huge part of that.
He is one of those players who are challenging for a regular and meaningful role on this team. However, with his performance against the Kings, that pushes him up the depth chart. And it’s not just his game on Wednesday that benefits him in this internal competition. Ever since being a healthy scratch in the season opener, he has three goals in three games. It doesn’t seem so unrealistic for the undrafted forward to score 20 goals this season if he stays healthy.
Who Leads the Leafs Depth Chart?
At the beginning of the season, it seemed that McMann was at the bottom of the Leafs depth chart of wingers. However, apart from the stars, he may be second on that list now. Going into this season he was set to compete for a top-six role with several players. Some of those players include Nicholas Robertson, Max Pacioretty, and Matthew Knies. Right now, Knies and McMann lead the way with how they’ve been gelling with their linemates and also their quality.
Knies only has one point in four games. However, he’s been doing a lot of great things off the puck. He uses his heavy body and wins plenty of puck battles, retrieving the puck for linemates Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Also, he’s got an underrated ability to control pucks in tight areas. Compared to last season Knies has been much more involved during the play. He’s had some great scoring chances along the way. It should be noted that he has 13 shots on goal this season. That’s the third most among his teammates.
Therefore, both Knies and McMann should be leading the internal competition at the moment.
Toronto Should Deal Some of the Overloading Depth
Aside from the stars on the team and the two wingers previously mentioned, there are still so many depth skaters on the Leafs. Including Robertson and Pacioretty, there’s still Pontus Holmberg, Ryan Reaves, and Steven Lorentz. Not to mention there are a couple of others who are injured looking to return in Connor Dewar and Calle Jarnkrok. It’s clear that general manager Brad Trliving loves to have depth. However, there are too many NHL regulars that are on the outside looking in, especially when Dewar and Jarnkrok return.
Therefore, the team should consider moving on from one or two players. The biggest reason why that’s a good idea is that they need to clear about $5M in cap space. But also, because it allows the players on the team to get a groove and rhythm. Players can’t find their pace if they are constantly being moved in and out of the lineup, just so other players can get their games in.
From the perspective of players with the AHL Marlies, there is almost no hope of getting called up to the Maple Leafs. A player like Alexander Nylander, who might deserve a shot in the NHL again, doesn’t have much of an opportunity. For one, he is on an AHL deal. Two, there are so many NHLers on the Leafs’ roster that it doesn’t make sense to ignore all of them for a call-up.
Moving on from players such as Jarnkrok and maybe another would go a long way for the Leafs.
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