Craig Berube Addresses Max Domi's Future on John Tavares and William Nylander's Line
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube offers a blunt assessment of Max Domi on the John Tavares and William Nylander line.
Berube spoke openly about whether he felt putting Max Domi on the Leafs second line alongside Tavares & Nylander, something that the team has worked in doing, but with uncertainty.
Despite running the line, Berube admits he has concerns about the trio together, assessing both good and bad with the line and wanting more out of the group.
There's things that I like, and there's things that I don't particularly like all the time. For me, it's about them managing the puck more than anything. They've got to understand that hope plays aren't good plays, we need good hockey plays and if they get that mindset they can be a dangerous line, and I mean have a little bit of everything on that line.
You know, they did a lot of good things, there's things they can probably do better too.
You know, they did a lot of good things, there's things they can probably do better too.
Craig Berube Expressing Uncertainty Over Max Domi's Future Alongside Tavares and Nylander
While John Tavares and William Nylander appeared grandfathered in the Leafs second line behind Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, Max Domi has a bit of a wait for Berube to give him full reign beside them at left wing.
Competition exists for the second LW spot on the depth chart behind Matthew Knies, with Bobby McMann on the third line and Scott Laughton able to play the position.
For next season, Easton Cowan could fight for that spot as the second line LW depending on how things play out.
Domi, 30, has eight goals and 33 points in 73 games played for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season.
The trio will join up together tonight for the Toronto Maple Leafs final regular season game against the Detroit Red Wings, one last test of the group's strength before matching up in the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Ottawa Senators in Round One.
Tonight's game may still have implications for the playoffs in helping to decide if Max Domi is keeping his place in Toronto's top-six.
For Domi, tonight's final regular season game may mean the most in terms out of all Leafs skaters of what his role will be come the playoffs.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 17|394 ANSWERS Craig Berube Addresses Max Domi's Future on John Tavares and William Nylander's Line Should Max Domi stay on the Tavares/Nylander line in the playoffs? | ||
| Yes | 292 | 74.1 % |
| No | 102 | 25.9 % |
| List of polls | ||