Lines at Maple Leafs Practice Foreshadowing Big Opening Night Lineup Change

With the Leafs' final pre-season game set to take place in Detroit on Saturday, the team is beginning to show signs of what their opening night roster could look like. However, an untimely injury and an unexpected waiver placement for David Kämpf has led to a real plot twist.

After weeks of talk that Max Domi would be slotting in next to Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies to open the season, the veteran forward skated as the Leafs' third line center at Saturday's practice, suggesting that the injury to Laughton could have ramifications throughout the lineup.

Rather than calling up Jacob Quillan or another Marlies forward, the Leafs are experimenting internally, sliding Domi back into a centre role and moving Matias Maccelli up to the first-line right wing, where he began training camp.

The move comes just one day after the team placed the veteran Kämpf on waivers, making him available to any team willing to take on his contract.

Domi has experience down the middle, but it hasn't always been smooth skating for him in that role. While his offensive instincts and playmaking touch can drive a line, his defensive reliability has often been called into question. Berube has made it clear he wants more accountability in the defensive zone, and this will be a test to see whether Domi can deliver.

Maccelli, meanwhile, continues to impress after a strong preseason showing. His transition from a projected 3rd line winger to potential top-line winger underscores his versatility and offensive instincts, traits that could make him a key piece early in the season.

As the Leafs prepare for their final exhibition game, the lineup that at one point in time seemed so sure to start the season has already become a question for the Maple Leafs.