Maple Leafs Open Camp With a Surprising Early Top-Six Lineup

The status of who would replace Mitch Marner on the top-six has been a highly debated question, and one that the Toronto Maple Leafs have given a bit of clarity over a strong potential option, but not one that definitively guarantees what is the case.

The Leafs have opened their first day of training camp, and in doing so have revealed what could be the first look at this season's top-six group.

Separated into two different groups, the Toronto Maple Leafs in line one had Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies joined by Matias Maccelli. The 24-year-old who spent last season with Utah has been one name linked as an option for the top line alongside Matthews & Knies.

On the first line of group two with John Tavares and William Nylander, the two was Bobby McMann, who has shown himself as a capable top-six forward after a 20-goal showing this past season for Toronto.

The lines are nothing settled until preseason, but deliver what very well could be one look the Leafs take. Notably, Max Domi is currently unavailable due to injury and is not taking part in the first day of training camp.

Domi has also been linked as a potential option for the Leafs on the top-six, specifically on the first line. Him and Maccelli will both be battling for the spot, although nothing is given any certainty either way.

Outside of the Leafs top-six, on the second line of group 1 is Steven Lorentz, Scott Laughton, & Nick Robertson, the potential fourth line for Toronto. Group 2 involved the potential third line forwards Dakota Joshua and Nicolas Roy, along with rookie Easton Cowan beside them.

If Domi is not on the first line, that spot could be filled by Cowan could be held by Domi, or even Maccelli, but gives an idea of where Cowan could theoretically if he were to make the team.

The Toronto Maple Leafs seem to be hinting at what could be the team's makeup, and it's worth excitement.

Maccelli fits well into the Leafs first line and gives specific needs for Toronto as a playmaking forward who can provide offense for the team and allow Knies to play a more physical role, and also adds a potential offensive boost.

A criticism of Domi, one that was echoed by Craig Berube, is that he needs to play less of a singular game and more as a support option for the team. It's this ability to help the team on offense rather than be selfish that will give him a potential chance next to Matthews & Knies.

It's perhaps too soon to say over what the Leafs top-six will look like, although certain matters seem to be quickly forming, and could be an early look at the way Toronto rolls going into this season.