The rookie tournament starts tomorrow for Mitch Marner and the Leafs’ youngsters, WCH media day, an update on Stephane Robidas and the Leafs’ cap situation, and more in the links.
Rielly: "A team I would love to play is Team Canada … I'd really like to beat their coach." #Leafs
— Terry Koshan (@koshtorontosun) September 15, 2016
All scouts’ eyes will be locked on Leafs’ Mitch Marner at rookie tournament (Toronto Sun)
Sheldon Keefe: “Mitch is obviously a special player (160 regular-season and playoff points in 75 games) and had another great year in junior. But enough has been said about what kind of player he is. We want to keep the focus on the ice for him.”
Toronto Maple Leafs 2016 rookie tournament roster (MLHS)
The Maple Leafs would-be headline performer is off playing against elite competition at the World Cup of Hockey, while their recent picks out of Europe this past draft also won’t be in attendance. Among the four 2016 draftees participating are Adam Brooks, Keaton Middleton, Jack Walkerand Nicolas Mattinen.
Nikita Zaitsev hopes for smooth transition to NHL with Maple Leafs (Toronto Sun)
“I haven’t seen a whole bunch of him,” said Leafs head coach Mike Babcock. “I like that (Russia’s) putting him out (on the top defensive pairing). I like that he’s out there all the time. That must mean he’s a good player … if he’s important to them, that means that he’s got a chance to be an important Leaf.”
Maple Leafs have something in Matthews and Zaitsev (Toronto Star)
Sidney Crosby: “Look at Auston Matthews. He hasn’t played a game in the NHL, and he’s jumping right into the World Cup. That’s not easy to do. You’re not getting much of a warmup. The fact he played overseas and played with men has probably helped. That’s quite a step he made. That’s quite impressive what he’s doing.”
Auston Matthews Shifts: Team North America vs. Czech Republic (Video)
Auston Matthews notches his first goal in World Cup of Hockey action in a 3-2 Team North America exhibition loss to the Czech Republic. Matthews played 17:42 (highest of the pretournament) including 6:19 on the powerplay, where he scored his goal.
Matthews looking forward to first game in Toronto (Sportsnet)
Auston Matthews talks about playing his first game in Toronto, the speed on Team North America and taking the lead up to the World Cup as business as usual.
An update on Stephane Robidas and the Toronto Maple Leafs’ cap situation (MLHS)
In his radio appearance, Robidas described an inability to run or skate due to an injury to his leg. Essentially, he is waiting until the end of the 2016-17 season – the end of his three-year contract with the Leafs — to make his retirement official. Nothing too shocking.
McLellan: "He just got better every day. @AM34 hasn't take a backseat to anyone. The Leafs will have a fun one to watch for many years."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) September 15, 2016
