Matthews Backs Berube's Choice to Replace Mitch Marner on Leafs' Top Line
Photo credit: Hockey Patrol
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews threw his support behind Max Domi as his linemate as Craig Berube has decided to give the veteran a chance up top.
As the regular season approaches, there are a lot of concerns about the Maple Leafs top line without Mitch Marner, as losing someone who is a 100-point player isn't the easiest to replace.
The team has shifted into a more unified group and decided to use depth and a more balanced lineup to approach this season, with new faces coming in to help bring in that equity and a new identity change.
Part of those changes involve finding a replacement for Marner on the top line alongside Matthew Knies and captain Auston Matthews.
Newcomer Matias Maccelli made a strong play for a chance, but Craig Berube has Max Domi penciled in for now.
Matthews Explains Why Domi Is an Easy Fit on His Line
It's not a bad choice as there is some past history and chemistry with the two forwards, and Matthews would give Domi the chance to bounce back after a really rough season offensively.
He's confident he can turn it around, and threw his support behind Domi being his sidekick this season, knowing the type of talent he holds:
It's been good. I've played with Max a lot. I'm really comfortable with him and I know the spots that he likes to get into as well as Kniesy.
I think each practice we've had, you know, the more reps we get together, the more comfortable we feel.
I think each practice we've had, you know, the more reps we get together, the more comfortable we feel.
Matthews also mentioned that Domi's creativity and playmaking may have been stifled in a third-line role, and knows that he needs to be on his toes for any offensive chances:
He's really patient with the puck.
He's really good at drawing guys into him and finding lanes. He can pass on his forehand, he can pass on his backhand, and he's really strong on the puck too.
He wins battles and he's able to find areas. So, you know, my experience playing with him, I just try to support him and get open and I know that I have to be ready at all times because the puck can come whenever.
He's a really easy player to play with. He's got a great brain and super smart out there and, like I said, he's a great, great passer.
He's really good at drawing guys into him and finding lanes. He can pass on his forehand, he can pass on his backhand, and he's really strong on the puck too.
He wins battles and he's able to find areas. So, you know, my experience playing with him, I just try to support him and get open and I know that I have to be ready at all times because the puck can come whenever.
He's a really easy player to play with. He's got a great brain and super smart out there and, like I said, he's a great, great passer.
That's a huge compliment from the captain, and should be a huge confidence boost for Domi heading into a season that had some questions about his fit in the lineup.
Why the Matthews-Domi-Knies Trio Could Work for Toronto
With Matthews confident in Domi's ability to get him the puck, it's going to pay off huge for the team going forward. We've seen the captain already in prime form thus far in the preseason, and a motivated Domi will only aid that.
Domi has two reliable goal scorers in Matthews and Matthew Knies, and with the latter being able to not only help cover defensively, but open up a ton of space with his physicality; it gives the diminutive and sneaky Domi to weave through open space.
We already know Domi is a good playmaker, and so is Auston Matthews; so the onus won't always be on Domi which in turn should help him feel less pressure to succeed.
It's a fantastic mix of pure goal scoring, playmaking, physicality, defense, leadership, and energy. The line has everything it needs to be impactful so long as the three can figure things out fairly quickly.
A lot is riding on Toronto's first season without Mitch Marner, and putting Max Domi there brings a lot of pressure and expectations. But he has his captain's approval, and that could be enough to push him over the top.
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