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Darren Dreger Leaks Toronto Maple Leafs' Master Plan for Matias Maccelli & Max Domi
Toronto Maple Leafs forwards Max Domi and Matias Maccelli are going to be competing for the same role, although the franchise has a plan in place.
Matias Maccelli is looking to have a comeback season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and it is expected that he will be a fixture in the team's top six.
With Max Domi missing a couple of days at training camp, the forward found himself on the first line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.
However, he is expected to go down to the second line with William Nylander and John Tavares, with Max Domi taking the top-line spot.
Matias Maccelli and Max Domi go head-to-head
According to Darren Dreger, the plan is to ease Maccelli into the organization and make him earn a spot on the first line.
«They want him coming into a new organization and starting to feel like he fits. There's no better place to fit than on the top line or in the top six. But he's got to earn it, too.»
Maccelli's numbers dipped last season, but that doesn't tell the full story. Like Nick Robertson, there's time and opportunity for him to grow, and the Leafs want him feeling confident as he adjusts to a new organization. «It doesn't mean we've seen everything in his game,» the belief being there's still more upside to tap into.
Maccelli's numbers dipped last season, but that doesn't tell the full story. Like Nick Robertson, there's time and opportunity for him to grow, and the Leafs want him feeling confident as he adjusts to a new organization. «It doesn't mean we've seen everything in his game,» the belief being there's still more upside to tap into.
As for Max Domi, they know that he plays well with Auston Matthews. This could then lead to a huge season for Domi, who the team needs to get back on track.
With Domi, there's already proven chemistry with Auston Matthews. Over the last couple of years, there have been stretches where it worked, and Berube clearly values his game - even if consistency remains the question.
For Toronto, it can't just be about Matthews, Nylander, Tavares, or Knies carrying the load. «They need contributions from other pieces, including the bottom six.» If Domi secures that top-line spot with Matthews and Knies, «his game should take off, and that'll mean good things for the Maple Leafs.»
For Toronto, it can't just be about Matthews, Nylander, Tavares, or Knies carrying the load. «They need contributions from other pieces, including the bottom six.» If Domi secures that top-line spot with Matthews and Knies, «his game should take off, and that'll mean good things for the Maple Leafs.»
Maccelli and Domi's competition will be interesting to keep track of this season, but it is only fair that Domi gets the priority right now.
After all, he has been with the Leafs the longest and understands what it takes to win at a high level.
As for Maccelli, we are just eager to see him do his thing and develop into the player fans know he can be.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 22 | 248 ANSWERS Darren Dreger Leaks Toronto Maple Leafs' Master Plan for Matias Maccelli & Max Domi Do you believe Matias Maccelli is going to have a better season than Max Domi? | ||
| YES | 172 | 69.4 % |
| NO | 76 | 30.6 % |
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