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Game 2 of preseason goes tonight in St. Catharines as the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Buffalo Sabres (7:00 p.m. EST, TSN4).

The much-anticipated preseason debut of Auston Matthews will have to wait, but there is still some intrigue in store for this Thursday night tilt, including a first look at Matt Martin in a Leaf jersey, the first ever clash of the Nylander brothers as members of rival teams, and a number of players on the bubble looking to make impressions.

Tonight’s Leafs lineup and more below.


FORWARDS

Zach Hyman – Spent the month of March with the big club last season, accumulating four goals and six points in 16 games while averaging 15:41 a night. Babcock is a big fan of his engine and called him an NHL player last season. He’s versatile — you could picture him on the right side of the fourth line or complementing a more skilled top-nine unit — and he can offer penalty-killing utility as well. He’s in a battle for a wing spot on the right side.

Matt Martin – The most controversial offseason addition given his contract, Martin is pegged by many as a lock in an energy role on the left side of the Leafs fourth line to start the season, potentially next to Brooks Laich and Hyman, although he may be deployed as a patrolman on a line with some of the young talent at times. Expect a fringe Sabre looking to make an impression to inquire about a donnybrook tonight, but a seasoned NHL fighter like Martin may not want to risk an injury before the real games start, especially when he’s looking to get off on the right foot with a new team, system, and long-term contract.

Rich Clune – Beloved by just about everyone who shares a dressing room with him, Clune has been an excellent off-ice mentor for the Leafs’ youth on the Marlies without being a drag on the ice whatsoever (24 points in 49 regular season games). Yesterday he talked about the sense of respect and healthy competition between himself and Matt Martin; Clune is enough of a team-oriented guy that he might take a fight from a Sabre looking to make a name for himself so that Martin doesn’t have to expose himself to unnecessary risk in preseason.

Peter Holland – Just about at the end of his rope when it comes to opportunities to carve out a permanent role on the team, Holland has been moved to the wing to start camp, where he will compete with a glut of competitors for a lineup spot. He’s teased with flashes of his size and skill but has admitted himself that playing to his size consistently has been an issue in his NHL career to date. If he can keep his intensity level up throughout camp and preseason, he has plenty to bring to the table – size, some skill, and a heavy shot.

William Nylander – Pegged to start on Auston Matthews’ right wing in a sheltered role to start the year, Nylander played center during a successful 22-game NHL stint to end last season (13 points in 22 games in 16:20 TOI/g). He’s skated at center in the practice and scrimmages, and will likely play there in a couple of preseason games. It appears the organization still sees him down the middle long-term – it would feel like a bit of a waste otherwise, given Nylander is a natural C — but with Kadri, Bozak and Matthews locked in as centers in the top nine, someone has to go the wing. Willy is the candidate that makes the most sense for now.

Josh Leivo – Now waiver eligible, Leivo has an impressive goal-scoring record in his limited NHL stints spread over the past three seasons, potting seven goals over 28 games while averaging just 10:12 a night. He scored five of those goals in 12 games last season. He’s ridden a 21% shooting percentage in the NHL, but he’s a capable finisher with a good shot and can lift the puck in a hurry in tight. A point-a-game AHL producer last season, if he’s not playing for the NHL club in Toronto he will be claimed by, or need to be traded to, another one. He’s likely to stick on the roster to start because of the waivers factor, but he’ll be in a battle for playing time. He brings something unique to the system that would be a bit of a shame to lose – right handed, size, skill down low, finish, and the ability to play the net front on the powerplay.

Frederik Gauthier – The Goat is coming off a positive showing at the rookie tournament, notching a couple of points and looking more confident carrying the puck and making plays (keeping in perspective the level of competition). The recipe for Freddie to take the next step is pretty obvious — continued skating and puck skills development. Babcock described him as a year away from a role on the big club during his seven game big-club stint last season, but assured the media that he will eventually be an NHL player. Babcock has mentioned faceoffs as an area that needs to improve – The Goat won 47.3% of his draws in his seven NHL games. The defensive zone draw, along with his overall defensive play and penalty killing abilities, will be where his bread is buttered.

Kerby Rychel – Earned some positive reviews early in camp from Jim Hiller, who called him a “big guy with a hard, heavy presence” and a “cycler who goes hard to the net.” Concerns about his pace are warranted, but he showed in his one-shift preseason debut that he could bring a bit of nastiness to the fold to pair with a reasonable offensive skillset, one that was evident in junior although less so at the professional level. He didn’t get an opportunity to make a hockey-playing impression on Monday after his ejection following the fight, so he’ll be looking to stick around for a full game this evening. Seems more likely start with the Marlies and spend some time getting acquainted with the Babcock system down there, but there is a lot left to be decided.

Tobias Lindberg – While he appeared in six NHL games last season and produced a couple of assists, more opportunity on the Marlies appears to be in the cards this Fall for Lindberg, who arrived in the Phaneuf trade and was in the awkward spot of joining a juggernaut club with copious wing depth that was already rolling along midseason. It’s important to remember that last season was his first in the AHL. 34 points in 56 games from a 20-year-old rookie is reasonably promising AHL production. Paired with his 6’3, 215-pound frame, there’s enough to like about the player, but he’ll need to add a step before he’s ready to play at NHL pace.

Brendan Leipsic – Somewhat lost in the mix after a year of heady accomplishments by Leafs prospects: Leipsic’s 20-goal, 54-point regular season in 65 games with the Marlies last season, as well as his goal and three points in six games with the Leafs. He was arguably the Marlies best player for a significant stretch of the season but wound up a healthy scratch (somewhat unfairly) at one point in the playoffs, where he notched just four points in 13 games. The numbers game seems to leave him on the outside looking for this camp – especially given waiver considerations, as he’s exempt for another season – but he’ll get a chance to atone for the playoffs with the Marlies and he should be near the front of the call-up line. As always, things could change if performance dictates.

Nazem Kadri – Tonight is a second tune-up game for Kadri, who has a big year of responsibility ahead of him. He’s in for a season of head-to-head matchups against the best centers in the league with the expectation that he can drive possession and produce 50+ points in the process – a brutally tough role — all while looking to take on more of a leadership role on a young team.

Colin Smith – On an AHL deal but looking to give the Leafs a reason to upgrade it, Smith put together an excellent end to the season with the Marlies with 22 points in 23 games and followed it up with a good rookie tournament as one of the oldest members of the squad in London earlier this month. He faces an obstacle in the Leafs’ limited contract spaces (48 of 50 tied up), but the organization has been able to purge a number of SPCs in one fell swoop in the past.

DEFENCEMEN

Connor Carrick – Waiver eligible, Carrick is battling Frank Corrado and Roman Polak for spots and playing time on the right side of the blueline to start the season. He is a safe bet to start with the Leafs; he gave the club plenty of reason to believe he’s worth hanging onto last season between his NHL stint and highly productive AHL playoff campaign. He should be hungry and eager to make an impression as an NHL job is within his grasp.

Martin Marincin – Seems to have played his way into a job on the left side to start the season with his improved play down the stretch as minutes and opportunity opened up due to the departure of Dion Phaneuf and the injury to Matt Hunwick, but it can’t be viewed as a sure thing yet. The numbers game is tight: Among the lefthanders are Rielly, Gardiner and Hunwick, with the likes of Rinat Valiev and Viktor Loov trying to push through and steal a job. Management and coaching staff believe in his ability to move the puck and defend with his long reach, and Babcock saw considerable growth in his confidence last season as the year wore on. He comes into camp with the security of a two-year contract, but he shouldn’t be resting too easy just yet.

Rinat Valiev – Arguably the Leafs best defenceman in the rookie tournament, Valiev enters camp facing an uphill battle due to the numbers game. A positive first professional season included a ten-game stint with the big club, but he played just 12 minutes a game on average, with Babcock noting a lack of carryover from what he liked in practice into the games. Starting the season with the Marlies certainly won’t hurt; the slow-cook approach with defencemen is usually the best bet, and Valiev still has plenty of developing left to do.

Travis Dermott – The 2015 second rounder impressed at camp last Fall, showing some poise beyond his years in a couple of preseason appearances. Taking on a leadership role and logging big minutes in Erie last season, Dermott’s production didn’t take a big leap forward but it did increase slightly on a point-per-game basis despite concerns about the ‘Connor McDavid’ effect on his numbers in the season prior. His goals total did drop due to a 22-game goalless skid to start the season, but he finished top five among OHL defencemen in points per game and shots per game. Just as he did in his draft year, he elevated his game in the playoffs and was above a point-per-game over 13 games. He won’t be eligible for a second World Junior appearance due to his late December birthdate, but it does make him barely eligible to play for the Toronto Marlies this season. Sub six foot but stocky and strong, Dermott could physically handle the rigors of the pros but Leaf brass may prefer to let him go back and dominate a junior season.

Justin Holl – Received a one-year entry-level deal over the summer after a successful first season with the Marlies. Big and right-handed, Holl played a season at forward during his NCAA career and has an offensive dimension to his game. He’ll be looking to take another step forward and should receive more opportunity with a Marlies team that lost Stuart Percy and TJ Brennan over the summer and may not have Connor Carrick to start the year.

GOALTENDERS

Garret Sparks, Kasimir Kaskisuo


Jim Hiller Media Address

On William Nylander at center versus the wing:

Referring to William Nylander, will you continue to move him between the middle and right side as things start to narrow down in a week? And then maybe finalize where he might open the season?

Hiller: We’re not exactly sure where he’s going to play, right? He was at center last year and did a terrific job. I know Mike has talked about how maybe he’ll play the wing this year. I think he’s focused right now. He’s in the middle. He’s focused on playing center. I think anytime you have versatility in a player, that’s a bonus for him. But right now we’re looking at him down the middle. He’s doing a good job. He gets to go tonight. We’ll see what he does.

On what Matt Martin brings to the table:

There is not a lot of fighting in the game anymore. I know Mike Babcock teams don’t really have fighters, but Matt Martin – what does he bring? He’s got that element to his game, but there’s more to him than that, right?

Hiller: There is. We’re seeing that here daily. He’s been really impressive with his work ethic, his hunger to get better. When you’re out there with a guy like Willy – he spent a lot of time with Willy in this training camp – you’re playing in the offensive zone, you’re getting to the net front, you’re the presence in front of the goaltender. It’s much more than just potentially getting into a fight once and a while. He just brings a leadership presence. When he gets in front of the net, he’s a hard guy to move. That’s an important part. Goaltenders are so hard to score on. With a big guy in front, there’s a few more holes that open up.

For the full transcript, click here.


Toronto Maple Leafs Lines

Kerby Rychel – Nazem Kadri – Peter Holland
Matt Martin – William Nylander – Zach Hyman
Brendan Leipsic – Frederik Gauthier – Josh Leivo
Tobias Lindberg – Colin Smith – Rich Clune

Travis Dermott – Martin Marincin
Rinat Valiev – Connor Carrick
Viktor Loov – Justin Holl

Garret Sparks


Buffalo Sabres Lines