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Analyst Predicts Surprising Line Combo for Maple Leafs' Season Opener


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Charlie McAfee
August 23, 2025  (11:16)
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Apr 20, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) congratulates forward Matthew Knies (23) on his goal against the Ottawa Senators during the third period of game one of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Analyst Dave McCarthy was a guest on the DLLS Stars Podcast, and revealed that the Maple Leafs could surprise some by putting Matias Maccelli on the first line.

A lot of talk this offseason has surrounded whether or not the Maple Leafs have enough firepower up front in order to weather the loss of Mitch Marner. They have a solid group of players, although they truly lack that one game-changer to help Auston Matthews and company.
We've heard names like Max Domi and even Nick Robertson as potential line-mates for Matthews and Matthew Knies, and while the former has some experience with the captain, the latter needs something to spark his offense.

Why Matthews and Knies' Linemate Could Be a Surprise

However for analyst Dave McCarthy, there may be a third option.
In his recent appearance on the DLLS Stars Podcast, McCarthy was discussing if the Maple Leafs were good enough up front, and what the team can do if they don't make a move yet:
I would expect Maccelli to get that chance with Matthews and Knies at the beginning of the year because I look at him as a poor-man's Mitch Marner. If he falters, I could see Max Domi elevated into that role.

I think there's opportunity on the left side with Tavares and Nylander for Robertson.

You would think that perhaps Craig Berube would prefer to keep the well-known chemistry of Domi and Matthews together, however he is known to experiment with his lineups and if he feels Maccelli can break out; he may give him every chance to.

How One Move Could Reshape Toronto's Top Six

But is it worth trying out?
If you look at who he would be playing with, Maccelli has a chance to truly break out and cement himself as a Mitch Marner-lite player. Matthews will still get a creative playmaker with great hands and a knack for finding the open man, and Matthew Knies can create space and also be a huge net-front presence.
Although he has never reached 60 points in a season, he was playing on a much more mediocre team in Utah, who had some great talent but the chance to play with Matthews is an incredible opportunity.
But in this season of identity changes, what better way to change things up than to bring in one of your shiny new toys to help out? If worst comes to worst, Craig Berube can put Domi, or even someone like Robertson up top with Matthews to see if that works.
The amount of flexibility that Toronto has now will allow them to make these types of moves to see who fits best where. It also gives the team a chance to have fluidity in the lineup; no one needs to be locked down and can all contribute with their own skillsets.
Which can only mean good news for Craig Berube, considering he'll have a lot to think about when the season opens on October 8.
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Analyst Predicts Surprising Line Combo for Maple Leafs' Season Opener

Should Matias Maccelli play on the first line?

Yes64751.4 %
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