DitchMarner
TheGlitchintheSwitch
With the amount of talent in the top six, there's no reason for the Leafs to not have two good scoring lines when the big four forwards and Knies are healthy. I think based on the chemistry he's established with Tavares, Pacioretty should be a fixture on line two (at least for now - maybe they can alternate him and McMann if he has a slump).
Is there enough remaining talent to have a good third line? If Domi can get back to playing like he did last year and McMann can progress, there should be. Minten seems ready to be an NHL regular. Between Domi, McMann, Minten, Jankrok, Alex Nylander and Robertson, there should be enough talent to have three players that can contribute offensively to that line. Will a trade be needed before the deadline to strengthen the bottom six?
When McMann is ready to go, I'd try:
Knies - Matthews - Marner
Patches - Tavares - Nylander
Domi - Minten - McMann
Is there enough remaining talent to have a good third line? If Domi can get back to playing like he did last year and McMann can progress, there should be. Minten seems ready to be an NHL regular. Between Domi, McMann, Minten, Jankrok, Alex Nylander and Robertson, there should be enough talent to have three players that can contribute offensively to that line. Will a trade be needed before the deadline to strengthen the bottom six?
When McMann is ready to go, I'd try:
Knies - Matthews - Marner
Patches - Tavares - Nylander
Domi - Minten - McMann