Contenders lining up for shot at lineup
When a team is considered a Stanley Cup contender and a no-brainer for a playoff spot, training camp tends to be a boring affair with just one or two spots up for grabs.
Not the 2019-20 Toronto Maple Leafs, who have medicals Thursday and open camp in St. John’s on Friday.
Six players who suited up for Game 7 against the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs in April are gone — as is Nazem Kadri, who was suspended at the time. Three others are hurt or unsigned.
So there are plenty of jobs available, from the first line to backup goalie, and plenty of contenders for each of them. Here’s a look at how things are shaping up:
THE FIRST LINE
Mitch Marner and Zach Hyman formed two-thirds of the top line with star centre John Tavares last season, but Marner remains without a contract and Hyman may not be ready after surgery to repair a knee ligament. That’s two jobs right there. And maybe it’s not even the top line anymore. Andreas Johnsson is the likely candidate to sub for Hyman on left wing. Jeremy Bracco, who led the AHL’s Marlies in scoring last year, has the talent to run an NHL power play, but it might be a bit of a leap. He’ll probably get a look there in training camp, and could get a break if Marner doesn’t sign by the start of the season. Russian Ilya Mikheyev is also a strong possibility. He can play either wing and, soon to be 25,
would offer more of a veteran presence.
THE SECOND LINE
Star centre Auston Matthews played with a rotating crew last year, and is now yearning for some stability. A reunion with right winger William Nylander is not out of the question, and a return to their magic of two seasons ago would be welcome. On the left side, Mikheyev fits the bill as the digger. As a favourite already of coach Mike Babcock, expect Mikheyev to get some top-line looks in camp. Trevor Moore also wouldn’t look out of place. A bit like the dearly departed Connor Brown, now in Ottawa, he can play anywhere in a lineup.
THE THIRD LINE
The Leafs added Alexander Kerfoot from Colorado in the Kadri trade, so he’s a logical candidate. He can also play any forward position, so it’s entirely possible he comes in as a winger, with Jason Spezza getting some time in a top-nine role. The only holdover from last year’s third line would be Kasperi Kapanen, who can also play further up the lineup if needed. At this point, it’s worth mentioning that Kenny Agostino and Nic Petan are candidates and beginning two-year deals, a sure sign that general manager Kyle Dubas believes in both of them. Once everyone is healthy and signed, however, the third line could be Johnsson-Kerfoot-Kapanen.
THE FOURTH LINE
Frederik Gauthier is the incumbent centre, but he’s no sure thing to make the team. He’ll have to start killing penalties. If Spezza falls to the fourth line, it could be as a winger. Moore could end up here. Petan is another possibility, although he didn’t seem to earn Babcock’s trust after the Leafs acquired him from Winnipeg for Par Lindholm at the trade deadline. Babcock might prefer an all-size line from among Gauthier (six-foot-five), Spezza (six-foot-three) and one of Mason Marchment (sixfoot-four), Yegor Korshkov (six-foot-four) or Pierre Engvall (six-foot-five).
OTHER FORWARDS
Matt Read, Pontus Aberg, Nick Shore, Kalle Kossila and Garrett Wilson were all brought in over the summer as Dubas hopes to find another Tyler Ennis — a player with skill who might have been in the wrong system or overlooked by his last team. Read’s 33, with 449 NHL games to his credit, and is in on a tryout. The others are signed. Wilson, 28, is hurt (hamstring). Kossila inked a two-year deal, indicating a commitment from the Leafs. If there’s a common theme (Aberg, Shore and Kossila in particular), they’re playmakers.
TOP-PAIR DEFENCE
The job on Morgan Rielly’s right side is available after Ron Hainsey’s departure as a free agent to the Senators. Cody Ceci, acquired from Ottawa, is the most likely candidate and has been playing there during informal workouts. Ceci was a top-pair D-man in Ottawa last year and struggled, so maybe he’s better off further down the lineup. He’ll be with better players, though, so maybe the transition will be smooth. If healthy, Travis Dermott — coming off shoulder surgery — could challenge, even though he’s a lefty.
SECOND PAIR
If anything’s set, it’s Jake Muzzin and Tyson Barrie here. Barrie has a skill set similar to the departed Jake Gardiner — who recently signed with Carolina — and is a right-handed shooter. The Leafs have balance in their top four if it all works out.
THIRD PAIR
There’s no guarantee that Dermott will be healthy, so this unit is up for grabs. Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin will get a long look together in camp. Both former first-round picks are probably going back to the Marlies, though, to log big minutes in all situations. Justin Holl and Martin Marincin, frequent healthy scratches last season, are back but face tough competition from Ben Harpur (six-foot-six), Jordan Schmaltz (six-foot-two and a righty) and puck-mover Teemu Kivihalme, who played in Finland last year.
GOALTENDING
Saving the most important position for last, it’s worth noting that a good backup for Frederik Andersen is incredibly important. Garret Sparks — traded to Vegas — did not thrive in that role, perhaps leading to more games for Andersen than desirable and a few points lost. Michael Hutchinson is signed and did OK last year, but 31-year-old Michal Neuvirth, in on a tryout, has to be considered the favourite. He has 257 NHL games to his credit, mostly as a backup.