Why the Maple Leafs' New-Look Lineup Might Surprise Everyone
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs revamped lineup may shock people with how well it works out, if one certain thing goes right.
What was made clear by Brad Treliving is that the Toronto Maple Leafs next season are going to be different. They were always going to be different lineup wise, but culture wise as well.
Treliving, who has always valued size and strength in his NHL career, has emphasized that is the direction he is going in, and has shifted the Leafs lineup to fit that strategy of strength and grit over Toronto's past reliance on skill.
Next season will be demanding for the Toronto Maple Leafs to execute a new playing style that seems them playing harder and being harder to play against.
Key Additions Could Shift the Team's Identity
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a very clear idea of where they want to go as a team, and what they want to see out of their roster heading into the season.
The Leafs have been clear that they want to see more physicality and more grit inserted into the lineup. Toronto got rid of Mitch Marner, who has faced years of fan criticism accusing him of not playing physical enough, despite being one of the top defensive wingers not being mean on the ice.
Toronto's new identity revolves around players who can hit and be aggressive, menacing to play against. The acquisition of Dakota Joshua the most clear sign of this new direction for Toronto, as well as Michael Pezzetta.
Trading for Brandon Carlo last season was an example of Toronto wanting physicality and defensive skill on the blueline, as well as size.
On both offense and defense, the Toronto Maple Leafs focus is on how much harder they can play, and how much more intense they can go against opponents, having not matching the other team's toughness having doomed them in year's past.
H3: Returning Stars at Full Strength Could Be Game-Changing
Not only will the Toronto Maple Leafs new additions be relied upon to execute the heavier strategy Toronto is adopting, but the hope will be for their returning players to also take up the mantle of physical play, including their top stars.
Players such as Auston Matthews and William Nylander will be tasked with playing a lot more physically, and being more aggressive on the ice and not just reliant on being impactful via offense.
The Toronto Maple Leafs value size, from the top of their roster to their prospect pool, making clear exactly what type of play style the Leafs want, and what they think makes a winner in the NHL.
For the Toronto Maple Leafs to succeed, the message is clear, everyone must pick up the effort and showcase more grit, or they risk being shown the door if they can't play physically the way they need to.
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