You wouldn’t know it was only the start of the pre-season when you look at the Toronto Maple Leafs roster Sunday night against the Ottawa Senators.
The Maple Leafs will have all their familiar faces in the lineup including the “core four” of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares.
Matthews will sport the “C” for the first time in action since he was named the 26th captain in franchise history on Aug. 14.
Nylander is expected to line up at centre after primarily playing on the wing during his nine years with the club.
It’ll also mark the first time new head coach Craig Berube steps behind the Maple Leafs bench. Berube was hired in May after Toronto fired Sheldon Keefe following the team’s first-round playoff exit against the Boston Bruins.
Key free-agent signees Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Chris Tanev will make their Maple Leafs’ debut joining the retooled defence. Ekman-Larsson captured the Stanley Cup last season with the Florida Panthers while Tanev made it to the Western Conference Final with the Dallas Stars.
Forward Max Pacioretty, who signed a professional tryout, will also get his first look in a Maple Leafs uniform.
Goaltenders Matt Murray and Joseph Woll will be between the pipes.
