Questions at left win loom for Maple Leafs ahead of camp

Article content

Brad Treliving left one box unchecked during the off-season.

Article content

As such, the fight for spots at left wing will come under the greatest scrutiny when the Maple Leafs open training camp in a couple of weeks.

Treliving’s second summer as general manager of the Leafs was bookended by two significant developments — the hiring of coach Craig Berube on May 17 after Sheldon Keefe was fired and the promotion of Auston Matthews to captain on Aug. 14, with the Leafs’ best player taking over from John Tavares.

In between, there were the kinds of usual comings and goings in Toronto that every National Hockey League team experiences once the season is done. Free agents were signed and free agents departed.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

Treliving’s notable additions included the signings of defencemen Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson and goaltender Anthony Stolarz. Forward Max Domi was retained after his initial season with the Leafs, getting the long-term deal he coveted when he signed for four years.

Article content

Article content

The list of Leafs who departed included goalies Ilya Samsonov (Vegas) and Martin Jones (unsigned) and defencemen TJ Brodie (Chicago), Joel Edmundson (Los Angeles), Ilya Lyubushkin (Dallas), Mark Giordano (unsigned) and John Klingberg (unsigned).

Of the 12 forwards who played in the Leafs’ last game of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs — a 2-1 overtime loss against the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the first round on May 4 — two signed elsewhere.

Tyler Bertuzzi hooked up with the Chicago Blackhawks after one season with the Leafs and Noah Gregor, who earned a contract after taking part in camp on a professional tryout, signed with the Ottawa Senators after the Leafs didn’t give him a qualifying offer.

Despite Bertuzzi’s inconsistencies — or, rather, the time it took him to get comfortable in the lineup as 2023-24 hit its second half — the 29-year-old contributed 21 goals and those will have to be replaced from somewhere on the left side.

Article content

There should be every expectation that Matthew Knies, in what will be his second full season in the NHL, takes a couple more steps offensively after he scored 15 goals and recorded 20 assists in 80 games. Though Berube will present some fresh ideas in all areas, we don’t imagine a lineup scenario in which Knies won’t be in the top six, never mind on the first line with Matthews.

Knies has the strength, hands and brains to evolve into the kind of game-in, game-out impactful power forward that he strives to be.

It’s what comes after Knies on the left side that raises some questions and one can see why the Leafs have been flirting with the idea of signing Max Pacioretty.

In theory, the 35-year-old Pacioretty might add some veteran experience no matter where he winds up signing, but injuries have limited him to 53 games in the past two seasons with Carolina and Washington, in which he has scored just seven goals.

Article content

If it’s true that Pacioretty would be signing a standard contract and not going to camp on a PTO, it might not be worth the risk for the Leafs, especially considering their salary cap issues.

As it stands now, the Leafs’ left-side options beyond Knies include Bobby McMann, Pontus Holmberg and Connor Dewar. As for Domi, the Leafs need him in the middle.

Easton Cowan will have a large opportunity in the pre-season to prove that he is ready for NHL duty after he had a monster year with the OHL’s London Knights. What he could actually contribute can’t be determined yet, but a spot on the wing is where he likely would land.

Somewhere, despite all indications to the contrary, there has to be a bit of Nick Robertson that believes a new chance awaits under Berube. If a change of scenery was Robertson’s wish in a trade request, he could get the next best thing playing for a new coach with Keefe gone.

Article content

What’s true is the Leafs hold the leverage as Robertson continues to go unsigned. If the Leafs and Robertson can get on the same page, the fears that offence from the left side will be minimal could dissipate.

We’ve seen Robertson’s effort and instincts when he got the chance every so often with Keefe behind the bench.

Steven Lorentz, expected to be in camp on a PTO, is capable of playing left wing, but keep in mind that he has 21 goals in 230 career NHL games. If he cracks the Leafs roster, it won’t be because he fills the net.

The fact is, if you’re in Leafs camp and you’re lining up at left wing, the opportunity won’t be greater. The door will be open to taking a run at an important job and look no further than McMann as an example of what determination can bring.

McMann worked his way to a two-year extension in March, but his season ended prematurely when he suffered a lower-body injury on April 13. He should be enthused by the opportunity he will get in camp as well.

We know what Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander will provide. John Tavares will look to provide another season in the 60-70 point range as his seven-year contract expires.

On the left side, though? It’s on those candidates to show Berube what they can do. The door is open.

[email protected]

X: @koshtorontosun

Article content