"While Year 1 brought a much-needed shift in identity, Year 2 will demand more. From solidifying team depth to solving lingering playoff shortcomings, Berube now faces the challenge of turning an ever-promising foundation into meaningful success when it matters most. He looks to accomplish this after the Leafs made their first notable change to their core in a decade. With Mitch Marner headed to the Vegas Golden Knights, re-organizing the team's top two forward lines is high on his second-year "to-do" list."
"That piece of business will be one of the most scrutinized early-season developments in Toronto, but it's just one of a few priorities for the Leafs' coach in his follow-up year behind the bench. What to do with the Leafs' forwards This is undoubtedly Berube's top priority for the 2025-2026 season. The team's forward lines are in a state of flux after Marner's exit. The good news for the Maple Leafs' coach is that he has two stars in Auston Matthews and William Nylander"
Craig Berube's first season produced defensive tightening, greater structure, and an Atlantic Division title. Year two requires deeper roster depth and solutions to recurring playoff shortcomings to translate regular-season gains into postseason success. Mitch Marner's departure forces a reorganization of the Maple Leafs' top two forward lines. Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies occupy four of the top-six forward spots, leaving one key winger role open beside Matthews and Knies. Max Domi and Mattias Maccelli have emerged as frontrunners, and Berube plans to experiment with combinations to avoid offensive regression and push further in the playoffs.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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