After a 3-2 loss to Montreal on Tuesday, Jim Hiller is already making lineup changes as he's slotting Bo Groulx in but remains silent as to who he will replace.
Toronto is wasting no time in changing things up on Wednesday after falling 3-2 to the Montreal Canadiens in their season opener.
Bo Groulx hits the lineup for Toronto's back-to-back against New York
Head coach Jim Hiller confirmed that forward Bo Groulx will find himself in the lineup on Wednesday night, however remained silent as to who he would be replacing according to TSN's Mark Masters on X:
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Groulx, 26, had five points in 13 games for the Maple Leafs last season, while also helping the Toronto Marlies to their Calder Cup win after his NHL season concluded.
Also to note, Anthony Stolarz is going to be making his first start of the season on the second night of a back-to-back in order to give Sergei Bobrovsky a bit of respite.
But the story here is that Groulx is coming into a lineup that desperately needs a bit more of an offensive punch. Nick Paul, Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger, Zack MacEwen, and Brandon Duhaime had a combined one shot.
Granted, they played hard and had a combined four blocks and 11 hits - but hardly any offensive firepower.
How Bo Groulx can help the Maple Leafs' bottom-six
Groulx had 28 goals and 52 points for the Marlies last season, so it isn't like he can't add offence, and he had three goals in the NHL last year. He went from being a more defensive option to someone who has the ability to run with the puck.
He at least deserves a look compared to other players like MacEwen who while good, is certainly more of a physical presence and someone who is meant to set the tone. But you can't win games if you don't score, and the stars can't be relied on to do everything.
Groulx also comes in with a chip on his shoulders as he hasn't really earned a spot in an NHL lineup yet, so if he's able to find a role and become the piece that helps boost the bottom-six then he could become a regular sooner than later.
For now though, he at least gets to show Hiller what he can offer as he comes in against the New York Islanders on Wednesday night.
Do you think Bo Groulx should be included in the Maple Leafs lineup?
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