Toronto Maple Leafs announce preseason roster ahead of game against Detroit Red Wings
The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced their preseason roster headed on the ice for Thursday's game against the Detroit Red Wings.
With only a couple of preseason games to figure everything out, the Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to narrow down the best possible roster going into 2024-2025. Many questions surround who is going to find those final spots, as everyone from rookies to veterans try to prove they're the impact player needed for success.
The Maple Leafs announced their preseason roster for Thursday's game against Detroit and for the most part, it looks like a fairly prospect and rookie heavy team:
A few of the veterans on the team are the lower tiered players such as Steven Lorentz, David Kampf, Max Pacioretty and Timothy Liljegren with Anthony Stolarz dressed as well. It gets really young after that with names like Nikita Grebenkin, Alex Nylander, Roni Hirvonen, Alex Steeves; even Nick Robertson who earns himself another shot. Toronto is also bringing Bobby McMann to gain some more reps. The defense is mostly AHL guys minus Liljegren although Marshall Rifai has earned another preseason game, and was seen practicing on the third defensive pair at practice so he could be a dark horse candidate to earn a spot.
Artur Akhtyamov and Anthony Stolarz will patrol the crease tonight, as Berube wants his premier backup to get some reps in while simultaneously looking to see what Akhtyamov can bring to the table alongside fellow Maple Leafs prospect Dennis Hildeby; who went the distance in Toronto's preseason win against Montreal.
David Alter also passed along the powerplay units lining up for tonight, and it's certainly a look. Topi Niemala skating on the first unit is a strong sign he may be closer to a call up than anticipated; meanwhile Cowan gets to play with Robertson and Pacioretty to see if he can gain some extra chemistry with them before the regular season.
Alter later released the practice lines for the Leafs and they look similar to something you'd see on opening night, at least the first two:
Easton Cowan will earn his fifth preseason start as head coach Craig Berube is clearly high on the Maple Leafs 2023 1st Round pick, and wants to give him every opportunity he can to not only get him reps against professional players but also make him prove himself already at the age of 19. It will be interesting to see how he can translate a good performance into a roster spot. Also of note, Jani Hakanpaa and Connor Dewar were both practicing with the main squad on Wednesday Alter noted as well:
We will update you as more information is revealed, stay tuned to Hockey Patrol!
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