Marner has not played center at the NHL level, last filling the position in junior hockey with the London Knights.

Craig Berube talking to Mitch Marner about possibility of playing ... If Marner can take enough reps at centre to be a go-to option when it’s necessary, the Maple Leafs all of a sudden have a wealth of options with a fully healthy lineup.

As important as Matthews is to his team's success, the Maple Leafs have survived life without him. Berube's club owns a 5-1-0 record across his six-game absence heading into Wednesday's showdown with the Golden Knights.