Have the Maple Leafs Built the NHL’s Most Coach-Friendly Roster?
One of the things we sometimes forget when looking at NHL rosters is that coaches are not just managing talent. They are managing problems. Who takes the tough defensive-zone faceoffs? Who protects a lead late in a game? What players can move up the lineup if someone gets hurt? And who can play against another team's best players?
The best NHL rosters don't just have good players. They give coaches answers.
And that might be the most interesting thing about the current Toronto Maple Leafs roster. A quick look at the group assembled by John Chayka suggests this team may be built around something that doesn't always get enough attention: flexibility.
For years, the Maple Leafs were often criticized for having players with very specific roles. They had elite offensive talent, but when playoff hockey became different, the question became whether the lineup could adjust. This version of the team appears designed to give Jim Hiller options.
Related: A Blueprint for Rebuilding the Maple Leafs’ Top Line.
The Maple Leafs are stacked with forward flexibility.
Look at the number of players who can play down the middle. Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Max Domi, Nick Paul, Jack Roslovic, Teddy Blueger, Colton Sissons, Dakota Joshua, and Steven Lorentz.
Not all of them will play center every night, but that isn't really the point. Centers usually understand defensive responsibility, faceoffs, and the game's details. Having that many players comfortable in the middle gives a coach room to move pieces around.
The Maple Leafs have flexibility throughout the lineup.
Then look at the types of players surrounding the stars. Matthews and William Nylander are still the players expected to drive offence. But now they are surrounded by players who can kill penalties, handle physical matchups, protect leads, and play different roles. That matters over an 82-game season, and it matters even more in the playoffs.
The interesting thing about this roster is that there don't appear to be many players who do only one thing. The Maple Leafs have added players who can slide into different situations depending on what the game requires.
Need more speed? There are options. Need more size? There are options. Need someone for difficult minutes? There are options.
Questions remain about the Maple Leafs, but that’s true with any NHL team.
Of course, there are still questions. The defence needs to prove it can move the puck consistently, and the ages of some veteran players will be worth watching. But roster building isn't just about collecting the most talented players. It is about creating a group that gives the coaching staff solutions.
And when you look at the Maple Leafs today, the biggest change may not be who is wearing the jersey. It may be how many different ways Jim Hiller can use the players wearing it.