The Toronto Maple Leaf fans are excited about the coming season and one reason is their forward depth, particularly their fourth line. There is some thought that this group is the strongest in years. If you consider what that could mean in terms of the trickledown effect of the post-salary cap era dating back to 2005-06, perhaps it’s the longest since before that time. One instance of proof of the depth is fact they will very likely need to move a valuable piece just to squeeze in under the cap, or worse yet, not sign Max Pacioretty.
The Toronto Maple Leafs Fourth Line and the Intangibles they Offer
One takeaway from the recent Montreal Canadiens games was, despite the very unfortunate injuries to two Canadien players, the Leafs depth forwards continue to show their impact. They’re showing their impact even if they are ultimately destined for the AHL. Marshall Rifai, Cedric Pare, and a bit of an unknown in Nikita Grebenkin are all playing hard for the Leafs. They will make the lives of management easy knowing there’s worthy call-ups down on the farm.
All-in-all the Leafs top nine seems more or less set. There were some unknowns, but Nicholas Robertson and Max Pacioretty are the consensus front-runners just days before the regular season gets underway. The Leafs injury situation seems for the most part very good, so the roster can represent its true state, which is fun to imagine the possibilities.
The X-Factor of the Toronto Maple Leafs Fourth Liners
David Kampf is an interesting X-Factor. In fact, will the Leafs even be able to afford keeping a player of his calibre while trying to fit Pacioretty under the cap? Kampf is coming off a strong world championship performance for the team from Czechia. The team that captured gold and Kampf was one of their most heavily relied upon forwards. Therefore, he would be available for an increased role if need be. However, his work on the penalty kill is an asset for the club. It gives him that impact he wants to provide on a successful team like the Leafs.
More of the players filling out the roster include Steven Lorentz, Pontus Holmberg, and Alexander Nylander. They are each players that feel like they can, and probably should, play on the NHL roster. In any sense, it’s not hard to imagine how many reliable NHLers are at head coach Craig Berube’s disposal. Whether injuries, line or lineup juggling, or performance issues factor in, Berube should be just fine.
The Depth Just Doesn’t Stop
And we haven’t even mentioned some of the top candidates. Bobby McMann is a player who can play throughout the lineup and on the second power play. He works hard, plays with jamb, and can add in some scoring touch. Connor Dewar is another ideal depth player. Anytime Berube needs to inject the lineup with added defensive help from the forwards, Dewar’s your man.
The point of this discussion is as we stated originally, just how deep the roster looks. Even though some of these names aren’t household ones or even the most talented offensively, a lot of them are more than proven at the NHL level. Moreover, when you really consider what’s at stake, it’s only three spots and on the fourth line. This is just a point for those that don’t make it to keep in mind. That point being just because you start the season with the Marlies, doesn’t mean you won’t get ice time with the Toronto Maple Leafs on the fourth line throughout the 2024-25 campaign.
Just Where Do they Stand
Over the past couple seasons players like Alex Kerfoot, Pierre Engvall, and Noah Gregor helped round out their depth. Even if the current names may not be a significant upgrade, the one aspect of it is the quantity. Also, we haven’t even mentioned the two prospects Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan. Therefore, with those two and a player like Grebenkin, it seems the talent has the potential to be strong as well. Lastly, let’s not forget the enforcer, Ryan Reaves, who worked his way into 49 games last year. Look for him to get in regularly but maybe not quite as often. In any case, Berube has lots of options and also, lot of different strategies he could impose. This year’s Leafs plan to go on a deep playoff run, and their forward depth might just carry them through to the finish line.
Main Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara – USA TODAY Sports
