Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs: How the offence could line up with John Tavares

By James Reeve

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders competes in the Gatorade NHL Puck Control Relay during the 2018 GEICO NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Amalie Arena on January 27, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders competes in the Gatorade NHL Puck Control Relay during the 2018 GEICO NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Amalie Arena on January 27, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 19: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a puck drop against the Boston Bruins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round in the 2018 Stanley Cup play-offs at the Air Canada Centre on April 19, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 3-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Auston Matthews /

MATTHEWS LINE

We start off by looking at the Matthews Line, as this one will be relatively easy to consider.

With Matthews and Tavares on the team, it is likely Babcock will roll out two first lines, spreading ice time evenly between the two to keep both stars happy, fresh and giving them plenty of opportunities to score.

For Matthews, it is unlikely his line-mates will change next season as he has built up plenty of chemistry with both Zach Hyman and William Nylander.

According to dobberhockey.com, Matthews, Hyman and Nylander was the top scoring line at even strength, with 84 points last season.

Hyman on the left and Nylander on the right will continue for the foreseeable future, with Hyman’s impressive work in the playoffs showing there’s no reason why he should be moved.

Keeping Matthews happy and comfortable is important to the organisation, who hope to have him for another decade at least.

Giving him teammates he has chemistry with and is close to, goes a long way to making that a certainty.

Centre: Matthews

Left Wing: Hyman

Right Wing: Nylander

Home/Toronto Maple Leafs