Maple Leafs lack of secondary scoring becoming worrisome early on

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube is not satisfied with his team’s start to the season, and all the worry should be pointed at the team’s inability to find consistent secondary scoring.

Yes, William Nylander has scored just twice in seven games, but he has 13 points. Yes, Auston Matthews can produce more than just four goals and six points in seven games, but at the end of the day everyone and their mother knows those two are going to be the two on top of the Maple Leafs’ stat sheet when the season is over. It’s everyone else around the two-headed monster that’s becoming a growing concern for Berube and company.

Calle Jarnkrok has scored three times in six games, but it shouldn’t be expected to see this continue, as Berube’s scratched him one game, and he’s hardly been used in others. It’s been a hit-and-miss relationship so far between Berube and Jarnkrok, so hopefully for everyone’s sake, the Swedish depth forward can gain more trust from Berube, and perhaps that could result in some more goals early on.

While Jarnkrok is trying to re-establish himself on the Leafs’ roster after a season battling injuries, the newcomers are a whole different story. Between Nicolas Roy, Dakota Joshua, Matias Maccelli, and Easton Cowan, Toronto’s received just two goals through seven games. Not good enough, not even close. Joshua’s admitted he’s having a hard time adjusting to his new club, Roy isn’t getting any power-play time, something he was used to in Vegas, meanwhile, Maccelli has been given every chance to succeed on the Leafs’ top two lines, and so far, not so good. The shifty winger has shown flashes of brilliance but in order to be someone Berube can trust in big moments, and in a big role for his hockey club, he needs to see consistency, and in all three zones. Maccelli must find a role for himself here soon, or else he could quickly become someone Toronto moves on from, or pushes down to the fourth line moving forward.

Let’s turn our attention to some of the longer tenured Maple Leafs, including Max Domi. Domi has seen some action on Toronto’s top line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, and for whatever reason, produced very little. Domi has just one goal in seven games, and a mind-blowing zero assists early on this season. Considering the chemistry we saw last season out of Domi and Matthews in the past, it’s mind-boggling why these two haven’t been able to capitalize together this season. Berube wants Domi to play direct, and not always defer to Matthews. Read the play, and make the best decision with the puck, it sounds simple, but unfortunately it hasn’t been an easy transition for Domi in Toronto. From over-passing, to not playing physical enough, or taking care of the puck as much as he should, the Maple Leafs need Domi to turn things around here in short order. If not, this lineup is going to get very complicated to navigate for Berube, and general manager Brad Treliving may have to make a trade to shake things up.

And, of course, we can’t forget about Nick Robertson. One of the team’s most dynamic players in the preseason, once again, Robertson hasn’t shown the ability to consistently produce this season. The shifty winger has contributed just one assist in seven games and hasn’t found the back of the net, despite landing 15 shots on goal. He’s been used as a penalty killer for the first time in his career, but who are we kidding, Robertson is only going to remain a Leaf if he can be counted on for 15-25 goals per season. The trade rumors are swirling, and while you have to applaud Robertson’s motor, and his work ethic, and willingness to put in the extra time to master his craft, right now he’s not producing, and that seems to be the theme for his tenure as a Maple Leaf. Robertson always leaves you with wanting more.

The one good thing about the first seven games when it comes to secondary scoring is the fact the Maple Leafs have seen some early production from their blueline. Which certainly wasn’t the case last season. Morgan Rielly has two goals and six points in seven games, Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson have both found the back of the net, and don’t be surprised if the Leafs do end up making a big trade at some point this season, they find another offensive defenceman to complement the group.

At the end of the day, it’s early, but there’s no doubt this Leafs roster is not a finished product. It’s become quite obvious there’s chemistry issues, there’s consistency issues, and it’s on Berube to find the right combinations to spark the team’s secondary scoring. It feels like if that doesn’t happen within the next few weeks, Treliving will have no choice, but to pull the trigger on a significant trade.