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Craig Berube hints at potential demotion for star Maple Leafs forward


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Gabriel Sami
July 31, 2024  (8:18 PM)
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Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube at press conference
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Craig Berube, the Toronto Maple Leafs' new head coach, is set to make some difficult decisions for the upcoming season, including the potential demotion of star forward John Tavares.

Berube's immediate challenge is to choose the Leafs' second-line center, with the choice narrowing down to either Max Domi or William Nylander. This could result in a demotion for an established player, likely Captain John Tavares.
«You'd be surprised. Just writing the lines on the board, and all of a sudden: Who's on the third?»

On John Tavares � currently the Maple Leafs' third-line centre and second-unit power-play threat � taking one for the team
Some suggest moving star forward Mitch Marner to the second-line center position. Marner's exceptional two-way play makes him a strong candidate for this role, potentially balancing the second line.
Tavares' production dropped last season, reaching its lowest point since his rookie year, making a third-line role more probable for him this season.
At $11 million, Tavares could become the priciest third-liner in the league.
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Nylander and Marner both had standout seasons compared to Tavares, with Nylander scoring 40 goals and a career-high 98 points in 80 games, and Marner notching 85 points in 69 games. This impressive performance suggests they are unlikely to be relegated to the third line.
Source: HockeyDB
Mitch Marner Statistics

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