During training camps, teams often like to take this time to try out new things on the ice, especially when a new coach comes in. It's not unusual to see a new coach shake things up to test his players.
Craig Berube did so in Toronto. Joseph Woll and Ryan Reaves revealed that the new coach held an intense first practice a few days ago.
But aside from that, he left many things unchanged. After a few days of evaluations, the coach unveiled who'll be on the first and second power play units tonight, for the Maple Leafs' first pre-season game against the Ottawa Senators.
According to Mark Masters, we should see the exact same top unit that we saw for many years under Sheldon Keefe: Morgan Rielly, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares.
He did make a few changes on the second unit: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Max Domi, Max Pacioretty, Nikita Grebenkin, and Matthew Knies skated together. However, this is probably not what we'll see during the season.
Some things you just can't change. The first PP unit is devastating. All the best players are on it, so it's only logical to keep it intact. If things don't work out during the season, he could move a few players, but the core is likely to remain together.
I think the second unit is also promising. I can't wait to watch the newcomers Ekman-Larsson, Pacioretty, and Grebenkin in action tonight against the Ottawa Senators.
The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. E.T. at the Scotiabank Arena.
POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 22 | 152 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs top power play unit revealed by new head coach Craig Berube Do you think Craig Berube made the right choice with the Toronto Maple Leafs' first power play unit? | ||
Yes | 79 | 52 % |
No | 73 | 48 % |
LIST OF POLLS |
G | A | PTS | ||
Conor Garland | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Dylan Guenther | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Nick Schmaltz | - | 2 | 2 | |
Jake Debrusk | 1 | - | 1 | |
Jack McBain | 1 | - | 1 | |
Alex Newhook | 1 | - | 1 | |
Mikhail Sergachev | 1 | - | 1 | |
Jayden Struble | 1 | - | 1 | |
Cole Caufield | - | 1 | 1 | |
Logan Cooley | - | 1 | 1 | |
Christian Dvorak | - | 1 | 1 | |
Barrett Hayton | - | 1 | 1 | |
Quinn Hughes | - | 1 | 1 | |
Clayton Keller | - | 1 | 1 | |
David Savard | - | 1 | 1 | |
Pius Suter | - | 1 | 1 | |
Arber Xhekaj | - | 1 | 1 | |
Josh Anderson | - | - | - | |
Joel Armia | - | - | - | |
Arshdeep Bains | - | - | - | |
Complete stats |
STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 22 | 18 | 4 | - | 36 | |
Devils | 24 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 32 | |
Hurricanes | 21 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 31 | |
Wild | 21 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 30 | |
Golden Knights | 22 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 30 | |
Capitals | 21 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 29 | |
Maple Leafs | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 28 | |
Flames | 22 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 27 | |
Stars | 20 | 13 | 7 | - | 26 | |
Rangers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Conference | Cumulative |