Examining the trickle-down effect of Auston Matthews' injury
TORONTO - Things might feel a bit claustrophobic for Maple Leafs fans right now, but rest assured - the sky is not falling.
Auston Matthews, the club's best forward through 11 games and an early candidate for both the Hart and Art Ross trophies, will be out for at least four weeks. Though his injured left shoulder won't require surgery, Matthews is scheduled to miss a minimum of 14 games, beginning with Monday's tilt versus the Calgary Flames.
On the bright side, the Leafs' carefully constructed roster - one that's brimming with unproven forwards itching for a few more shifts per game - should grant them some breathing room until Matthews recovers. And, perhaps more beneficially, it will give management a real chance to assess the team's depth.
"It's too bad for the kid," head coach Mike Babcock told the media on Monday. "And yet, it's an opportunity for someone on our team to play more. It's an opportunity for us to dig in and continue to get better."
So, how will the depth chart look on Monday night against Calgary? These were the forward lines assembled for the morning skate:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Hyman | Tavares | Kapanen |
| Marleau | Kadri | Marner |
| Johnsson | Lindholm | Brown |
| Ennis | Gauthier | Leivo |
Only the fourth line remained the same as the start of Saturday night's win over the Winnipeg Jets, during which Matthews suffered his injury.
Changes include:
Matthews' right winger, Kasperi Kapanen, joining John Tavares and Zach Hyman
Matthews' left winger, Patrick Marleau, reuniting with Nazem Kadri and Mitch Marner (the trio played 366 five-on-five minutes together last year)
Kadri's left winger, Par Lindholm, centering Andreas Johnsson and Connor Brown
Let's start with Kapanen, the 22-year-old Finn who's erupted for six goals and 10 points in 11 games.
From the onset of training camp, in part due to the opportunity created by the absence of unsigned restricted free agent William Nylander, Kapanen's stock has been rising at a steady pace. He quickly won over Babcock, while Tyler Ennis' inability to jell with Matthews and Marleau in the first few games opened the door for a permanent spot on a top line.
Sans Matthews, Kapanen will be tasked with maintaining his production alongside an unfamiliar center. Tavares is a superstar in his own right, but he operates very differently than the middle-of-the-ice, shot-happy Matthews, spending more time along the boards and distributing the puck.
It's similar to a Penguins winger switching from Evgeni Malkin's wing to Sidney Crosby's. That's not an easy transition, but Kapanen - who scored an important playoff goal for the Leafs this past spring - has shown he's someone worth betting on.
"You can see his confidence really building and we're starting to realize his skill set and how he can make a major impact out there," Tavares said of Kapanen. "I really feel like he can be a dominant player."
Also of note: Kapanen will slide into Matthews' spot on the first power-play unit. However, Babcock said the penalty kill will continue to be Kapanen's No. 1 responsibility on special teams, which perhaps hints that PP expectations should be tempered. It might be more of an experiment than anything.
Meanwhile, Lindholm, Kapanen's PK partner, projects to gain the most ice time of anyone while Matthews is sidelined.
The 27-year-old was signed out of Sweden in May to skate on the fourth line, win faceoffs, and stop the opposition's power plays. Now, after beginning the season in that specific role and then earning a brief (but successful) stint on Kadri's wing, Lindholm finds himself in the third center spot on a team that arguably has more depth at the position than any other club. Not bad.
When asked about the probable bump in ice time, Lindholm shrugged. He was more interested in talking to theScore about his new linemates, particularly Johnsson, the reigning AHL playoff MVP.
Kevin Sousa / National Hockey League / Getty"I'm just waiting for him to catch fire. When he does, he's going to be unstoppable," Lindholm said of Johnsson, who's goalless through six games this fall following a 24-point postseason performance for the Calder Cup champion Marlies.
Johnsson, the Leafs' seventh-round pick in 2013, arrived at camp with top-nine potential. He's spent the bulk of his time in the press box or on the fourth line, though, averaging just 8:43 a night.
Despite scratching Johnsson for the club's previous two games, Babcock expressed cautious optimism about the fleet-footed, tenacious winger.
"He's got to get his confidence back," Babcock said. "He was a good player in the American Hockey League. The American Hockey League and the NHL are two totally different things. But he's a young guy, he's getting better. He was a dominant player at the end of the year last year in the American League. He's got to come in and do the same here now."
Rounding out the potential breakout suspects in Matthews' absence is Marleau - a proven vet unlike Kapanen, Lindholm, and Johnsson - who's likely bound for the Hall of Fame when his contract expires.
The 39-year-old hasn't played horribly this season, but he's failed to bag a goal in 171 even-strength minutes, even with 123 of those coming alongside Matthews. Something is amiss, but perhaps reuniting with Kadri and Marner will be enough.
Overall, the quality of competition awaiting the Matthews-less Leafs is fairly high. The Flames game will be followed by dates with the Stars, Penguins, Golden Knights, Devils, Kings, Sharks, Ducks, Hurricanes, Flyers, and the Blue Jackets and Bruins twice each.
In total, that's seven games at home, seven on the road, and about 10 playoff-worthy opponents all within the minimum time frame for Matthews' recovery. It's safe to say Babcock will need quick returns from his reshuffled lineup.
Still, the loaded Leafs have been as advertised throughout the opening month of hockey. They're an absolute nightmare to defend, especially in transition, they've scored more goals than anyone else, and they've won eight of 11 games. (And, for what it's worth, the club went 12-8 last year while Matthews was out with multiple injuries.)
The question is, will this absence ultimately lead to positive commentary about Toronto's depth this season, or will it elicit concerns about the forward group?
"I've never met one guy in hockey who says, 'Coach, can I play less?'" Babcock added. "They always want more opportunity and someone always thinks they're getting the short end of the stick. No one's getting the short end of the stick. We've only got 12 forwards. They'll all get their chance. Show me."
John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer. You can find him on Twitter @matiszjohn.
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