Bottom six forward expected to move up to the Leafs' top line against the Sharks

Last year, the top line of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Michael Bunting exceeded every expectation imaginable. Matthews finished the season with 60 goals and 106 points, Marner finished with 62 assists and 97 points, and Bunting complimented both very well and he chipped in with 23 goals and 63 points.

Toronto is not averse to slow starts, however more is needed and expected from Matthews, who has 1 goal in 7 games, Marner who has 4 assists in 7 games, and while Bunting has 5 points to start the 2022-23 campaign, he was found on the bottom-6 during their most recent practice. Alexander Kerfoot got the promotion as the Leafs are tinkering around with their lineup ahead of their tilt against the San Jose Sharks.

Kerfoot, who was centering the third line with Pierre Engvall and Calle Jarnkrok, was found on the top line with Matthews and Marner, while Bunting was seen taking rushes with Jarnkrok and Denis Malgin.

Coming off the heels of a disappointing loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday, where the Leafs were outshot 33-23 in their 3-1 defeat, the Leafs feel they need a new element on that top line to shake things up as they head on the dreaded California road trip with the Sharks on Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, and the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.

For what it's worth, the second line of John Tavares, William Nylander, and Nicolas Robertson remains intact, as they have been exceptional of late.