NHL Roster Coming Together For Leafs, But There Were Some Lineup Surprises on Friday

While Max Domi was dealing with a lower-body injury at the start of training camp, Matias Maccelli was given an opportunity to skate with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies on the Leafs' top line.

Berube has been complementary of the 24-year-old, though he diidindicate that he was more of a placeholder on that top line until Domi was healthy enough to return.

At practice on Friday, Max Domi took his spot alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies for the second straight day -- even with Maccelli back in town following Thursday's game in Montreal.

Despite registering four assists in two pre-season games and showcasing some chemistry with Knies and Matthews, Maccelli found himself skating alongside two other newcomers in Dakota Joshua and Nicolas Roy.

Joshua and Roy have earned praise from Berube throughout camp, with the bench boss noting that they can match up against anyone, thanks to their defensive foresight, size, physicality and underrated offensive skills.

Adding the offensive Maccelli to this group provides a playmaking element that could lead to career years for all three of them -- if they gel.

As the team took line rushes Friday, Easton Cowan, Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz remained together after 4-goal, 8-point outing from the trio Thursday night. Although Cowan hasn't produced eye-popping numbers, he has done all the little things he has been asked to do and has been effective when he has been on the ice.

His play has many believing that he will ultimately end up on the Leafs' opening night roster ahead of Nick Robertson, Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf -- who formed the team's 5th line at practice on Friday.

It's not a foregone conclusion that Cowan does indeed make the roster just yet, but at the very least, he has shown the Leafs that he is ready to take the next step in his career and can handle the pressure that comes with playing in the NHL.

Thus, even if he fails to make the NHL roster out of camp, it's a pretty good bet that Cowan's name will be at the top of the list of call-ups if he does indeed start with the Marlies.