Advertisement
Some cool bits of footage coming in from the Mastercard Centre via the Leafs‘ social media accounts, including a look at Mitch Marner completing a drill in his Leafs practice jersey. We’ll update as more prospect camp media is made available.
Kyle Dubas Media Address
Mitch Marner Stickhandling Drill
Tuesday Links:
- Anthony Petrielli: State of the Toronto Maple Leafs: Part 1 – The Draft (MLHS)
The Leafs strategy was simple, and we’re going to explore it by the numbers right now: Draft productive players, regardless of size or the knocks against them (effort, consistency, etc.), and then develop.
I - Quinn MacKeen: Phil In The Pits (MLHS)
Let’s set the arguments about Phil aside. Because while there can always be debate about any one individual player, I don’t think there’s a single fan left in Toronto who doesn’t think our hockey media has a problem. It’s not just that they’re bad hockey minds. And that they don’t understand or respect real Leaf history. It’s that mostly – and I really mean that – mostly, they just seem to want to tear people down.
I - Domenic Galamini: Maple Leafs Sign Shawn Matthias: Modern Stats-Focused Breakdown (MLHS)
Options among the team’s center depth now feature the likes of Nazem Kadri, Tyler Bozak (for now), Mark Arcobello, Shawn Matthias*, Peter Holland and Nick Spaling. While sporting mediocre possession numbers, Matthias found the back of the net 16 times last season at even strength which was good enough to rank 1st among Vancouver Canucks skaters and 38th league-wide. Here is how he has scored at 5v5 relative to his teammates throughout his career.
I - David Alter: The next chapter in Clune’s hockey career (MapleLeafs.com)
It was Leafs Co-Interim GM Kyle Dubas who first had discussions with Clune about his role with the Leafs. From there, he spoke to new Marlies coach Sheldon Keefe. Both sides wanted to see where Clune sees himself and what role he would have with the Marlies or Leafs should it get to that point.
I - Alec Brownscombe: Toronto Maple Leafs sign Shawn Matthias to one-year deal worth $2.3 million (MLHS)
Matthias can take a second-unit PK shift has played both centre and wing; he is probably better off on the wing (and played more wing than C last season in Vancouver) given he’s not a strong possession driver historically and can better employ his strengths driving the net off the wing and working the boards with his size (6’4, 220 pounds).
I - Neate Seager: Maple Leafs top pick Mitch Marner was a terror in minor hockey (Puck Daddy)
Last weekend, footage of the 18-year-old centre as a minor hockey player surfaced on YouTube, mixed with Marner’s highlights from throughout minor hockey and right up to his two years with the Knights. Body checking is now forbidden in most younger age groups in minor hockey, but when Marner was at that level, it was allowed, and it turns out he regularly knocked over much bigger children.
I - Frank Seravalli: Expect more moves from Leafs this summer (TSN)
The Maple Leafs will be a team to keep an eye on. Now that the painful brick-by-brick demolition has begun with the Kessel trade, the Leafs have more financial flexibility moving forward with Phaneuf, Bozak and Lupul. There is heavy lifting still to be done in Toronto, but when it all shakes out, the Leafs’ willingness to take on a bad contract and eat salary might make Phaneuf, Kessel and Bozak among the more attractive names left on the market as the season approaches.
I - James Mirtle: Maple Leafs make smart bet by signing big forward Shawn Matthias (The Globe)
Perhaps the perfect scenario would be for him to go the Dan Winnik route: Play well in increased minutes, get noticed around the league, get traded to a contender for two draft picks at the deadline and re-sign back with the Leafs again next summer with a bit more term.