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Maple Leafs Appear to Have Found a New Winger for the Tavares-Nylander Line
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton | Imagn Images
Craig Berube and the Maple Leafs may have found a long-term solution to fill the rotating spot alongside John Tavares and William Nylander on the second line.
For years, the Leafs have struggled to find a long-term solution to play on the second line with William Nylander and John Tavares.
Max Pacioretty, Bobby McMann and Max Domi are just three of the many players the Leafs have plugged into the left wing of that line, but none have had sustained success.
Leafs' Newcomer The Long-Term Solution?
Craig Berube began the season with McMann playing 2nd line left wing this season. Unfortunately, injuries and a lack of production from Nylander and Tavares through the first two games led to the Leafs' bench boss making a change.
Matias Maccelli requested a trade out of Utah last season and eventually was acquired by the Leafs at the end of June.
After struggling a bit in training camp and through the first couple of games on the Leafs' top line, Maccelli was given an opportunity to play with Nylander and Tavares on Tuesday night.
Craig Berube Impressed With Leafs Newcomer on Second Line
The diminutive playmaker was given a chance to showcase his vision and skill by Berube on Tuesday night, and fit in well in that spot next to Nylander and Tavares, according to the Leafs' bench boss.
"With Willy and JT, it's a good thing anytime we can get some pucks and make some plays to those guys. They need the puck. They need the puck on the rush and in the offensive zone. [Maccelli] sees the ice well. It is a big thing for me."
Heading into Thursday's game against the New York Rangers, it would appear that Maccelli will be lining up on the second line once again.
The hope is that he can begin to develop some chemistry with two of the Leafs' star forwards and create a more balanced scoring approach throughout the lineup as the club continues to adjust to life without the playmaking of Mitch Marner.
Previously on Maple Leafs Daily
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 15 | 1091 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Appear to Have Found a New Winger for the Tavares-Nylander Line Do you think Matias Maccelli is the right fit for the second line? | ||
| Yes, he just needs some time to adjust | 854 | 78.3 % |
| No, Domi seems like a better fit | 125 | 11.5 % |
| Give Robertson more of a look | 112 | 10.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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