The first day of on-ice sessions for the Maple Leafs featured a number of one-on-one and two-on-two puck battles with the players showing the intensity coach Craig Berube wants.
鈥淲e wanted to have a good first day. It’s a tough day. It’s a lot of battling. I thought it was really intense which is what we want,鈥 said Berube. 鈥淭oday was about work, compete, second and third efforts. I thought the guys did a real good job.”
A couple of battles stood out, including聽Auston Matthews having his way with Marlies prospect Noah Chadwick.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
鈥淗e鈥檚 of the best players in the game,鈥 Chadwick said of Matthews. 鈥淚t’s a good learning opportunity. You’re going to make mistakes. He made a nice move. So I鈥檝e just got to learn.鈥
While Joseph Woll is signed for three years, Stolarz聽wants to work out a long-term contract extension with the Leafs before the season begins.
Another was William and Alex Nylander going at each other. 鈥淗e battled me all summer,鈥 William said of his brother. 鈥淚t will probably happen again.鈥
Line combos
Newcomer Matias Maccelli got his first taste of action on the wing with Matthews and Matthew Knies.
鈥淚t’s good to get the first skate out of the way and now focus on building some chemistry and keep going,鈥 said Maccelli. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e both unbelievable players. I鈥檓 excited to have a chance to play with them.鈥
Berube unveiled other lines that could be seen in exhibition games:
Bobby McMann got the left-winger鈥檚 spot with John Tavares and William Nylander.
Easton Cowan and Miroslav Holinka rotated on the right side with Dakota Joshua and Nicolas Roy.
Scott Laughton centred Steven Lorentz and Nicholas Robertson.
David K盲mpf centred Michael Pezzetta and Calle J盲rnkrok.
The lines will change when Max Domi returns from his lower-body injury.
William Nylander said it鈥檚 been a bit of adjustment to be in a locker room without Mitch Marner.
鈥淭he first couple of days was really weird, but I鈥檓 slowly adjusting to it,鈥 said Nylander. 鈥淗e was a big part of the locker room for a long time. We’re just going to go forward, focus on the future. Obviously he’ll be missed.鈥
Kevin McGran is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow
him on Bluesky聽@kevinmcgran
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation