Maple Leafs Lines Rushes Yield Some Surprises for Robertson, Pezzetta, Maccelli, Others

On Wednesday, the Maple Leafs opened their training camp with a full-blown team marketing and media day, with GM Brad Treliving, head coach Craig Berube, and the leadership group consisting of Auston Matthews, John Tavares and Morgan Rielly all taking part in interviews.

During his media session, Brad Treliving confirmed that he's been working behind the scenes to trade for a top-6 forward, and that he'll continue to do so even during training camp. Until then, though, the Leafs will have a very crowded roster, which has created a lot of healthy competition.

On-ice sessions officially began on Thursday, and there were a few surprises in Group One that may provide some good insights as to how the Leafs currently view Matias Maccelli, Nick Robertson, and the trio of Michael Pezzetta, David Kämpf and Calle Järnkrok. Here's how they slotted in:

Knies - Matthews - Maccelli
Lorentz - Laughton - Robertson
Pezzetta - Kämpf - Järnkrok

Unfortunately for Max Domi, an untimely injury has prevented him from being able to participate. That, in turn, has opened up an amazing opportunity for Matias Maccelli, who drew the top line assignment on Thursday.

Leafs head coach Craig Berube did indicate on Wednesday that Maccelli is one of two frontrunners for the spot next to Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews. His placement on that line on Thursday is evidence of the team's belief in his playmaking abilities.

One of the bigger surprises of the day was Nick Robertson's placement. Robertson was slotted in next to Steven Lorentz and Scott Laughton, which could indicate that the Leafs see a 4th line role for the scoring winger.

Additionally, the line of Pezzetta, Kämpf and Järnkrok tells us that all 3 are currently on the outside looking in and that they'll have to have tremendous training camps in order to remain with the Leafs.

Pezzetta could be destined to begin the year with the Toronto Marlies. The Leafs offering him a 2-year deal instead of a 1-year deal could be to ensure that he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Kämpf and Järnkrok remain the two most likely pieces to move if the Leafs do need to free up some cap space to make room for a top-6 forward if and when Brad Treliving can find a trade to his liking.