Three ways the Toronto Maple Leafs can lineup with Dakota Joshua

This approach keeps the dynamic duo of Matthew and Knies together, but adds a speedy winger in Maccelli with them. This line would be fast offensively and would give Matthews another playmaker to set him up on the wing. This line, however, would need to work on their two-way game, with only Matthews great in his own zone.

The second and third lines would be strong two-way options, with Joshua adding speed and playmaking to Nylander and Tavares, while Roy would ride with McMann and Domi, giving the team more options against deeper teams.

This feels like the safest lineup for the Leafs to start with, even if it isn’t the most fun option.

Option 2: Stack the top line

This option would move Nylander up to the top line to play with Matthews and Knies. This trio played just a handful of minutes together in the playoffs, but had outstanding results in a very small sample size. With Marner gone, playing this group together could be a fun option.

This then leaves two speedy wingers in Joshua and Maccelli with Tavares to form a fun second line. While the former Islander is not as quick as he once was, playing him with two younger wingers could be a ton of fun.

Putting these lines together leaves the bottom two lines exactly the way they were above. Put together, you have two decently strong middle lines, a good checking bottom line, and a very powerful top line. This feels very Oilers-y, but if they made it to the Cup final two years in a row, maybe they are on to something.

Option 3: Let the new guys cook

This could be the most fun option. Keeping the top line with Nylander together from option two, this scenario would pair Roy with Maccelli and Joshua to form a very fun second line. Throw in towns of speed and playmaking with the good two-way ability of Nic Roy, and you have the makings of a very good second line.

Doing this would bump Tavares down to the third group with fellow elder statesman Max Domi, and give them some speed in Bobby McMann. Tavares could then play a good two-way playmaking role, feeding McMann, while Domi is out creating space down in the corners. This may just work for the team.

What makes the most sense

The trend around the league has been to opt for balance, with more teams looking to use their top guys on different lines than to stack them together. Given the depth in the Eastern Conference this season, option one would make the most sense on paper. But as with everything, it all depends on how the personalities fit. Joshua formed an exceptional partnership with Conor Garland, and if he can do the same with either Matthews, Tavares, or Roy, you have the makings of a very good duo. Add in another winger in Maccelli or Knies, and that could form an exceptional top-six line for the Leafs.

Treliving has made some very shrewd moves this summer with the additions of Roy, Maccelli, and Joshua. The Florida Panthers have shown that having many good players who have a high compete level is better than having three or four excellent players who do not. One thing about these three players is that they fit in the former category, with Joshua in particular being a hard-nosed guy. If these three can find chemistry in Toronto, this team could do some real damage down the line.