Toronto Maple Leafs Training Camp Day 2: Live Hourly Updates

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Chris Gerics
September 20, 2024 (12:37)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have started Day Two of their training camp and we give you the latest news and live updates regarding all the news, rumours and buzz throughout the day.

Simon Benoit returns to the ice

(11:17am)

With the news of Simon Benoit not joining Toronto for the first day of training camp due to the birth of his child, some wondered if it would be a few days before he could come back to the ice. He answered that pretty quickly as he was seen on the ice for the second day of training camp.

He will be lining up with Timothy Liljegren for his start of camp, and is going to be fighting for a bottom pairing defensive role thanks to the additions of Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. He had a solid if unspectacular season with the Maple Leafs last year, providing a goal and four assists while primarily playing decently enough defense.

He was given a bit of a welcoming gift from head coach Craig Berube this morning; getting to lead the second group in stretches:

Benoit also got to speak to the media a bit, saying that he and his partner welcomed a baby girl and mentioned that they haven't had time to name the baby yet; and judging from the smirk on his face he knows he probably needs to get on that sometime soon.

Ben Danford returns (kind of)

(11:26am)

Toronto Maple Leafs fans, coaches, players and front office staff all found themselves with a scary incident as 2024 first round pick Ben Danford took a nasty hit from camp invitee Marshall Finnie which led to him leaving the ice and missing the Prospect Showcase due to an upper-body injury.

We learnt that Danford had suffered a concussion after the hit and the Maple Leafs needed to keep him out as long as possible to make sure that he's 100% before getting on the ice.

Well, it seems that although he may not be 100% he was able to take the ice a bit today; as David Alter posted on X.

Danford is seen wearing a red non-contact jersey (for good reason) and is shown speaking with former Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin. It looks like Muzzin is trying to give Danford some tips on positioning but it would be a big advantage for the rookie to listen to the Stanley Cup winner.

We don't know when Danford will be back on the ice in a full capacity, but the fact he's on the ice now is only a positive sign for the Maple Leafs.

Leafs Lines Day 2

(11:44am)

The Leafs have their first grouping lines for the second day of training camp as Per Leafs Latest on X

It's a bit of a different look from the lineup that was taking the ice yesterday for the Maple Leafs:

This goes along with the second group lines that were revealed when they took the ice first:

The second group lined up yesterday with a bit of a different look as Simon Benoit and others were unavailable:

Maple Leafs stars look primed already

(12:17pm)

The Toronto Maple Leafs on their second day of camp already look like they are having themselves a hell of a time. Some recent drills posted on X shows superstar Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, new addition Chris Tanev, and Nick Robertson. The drill shows Matthews pushing hard against Tanev before dumping it down to Knies.

The big thing to look at here is Robertson. He tenaciously attacks Knies on the puck and is relentless on him before Knies dishes back to Matthews who takes a shot. It would be a huge boost to the Leafs if Robertson can play such aggressive defense because in addition to his goal scoring ability, would make the Maple Leafs even more dangerous.

The second drill shows a little less than the first but it shows Mitch Marner firing a pass over to Auston Matthews while former captain John Tavares plays defender.

It looks like the Maple Leafs look already poised to have a big season, if the aggressiveness and passion of these drills are any indication.

Jake McCabe contract extension talks

(12:37pm)

Jake McCabe has made it clear that he loves Toronto, and news coming out of training camp is that he and the Maple Leafs have already begun talking about a contract extension.

Speaking to the media after his practice on Friday, McCabe spoke about the experience and how he feels like he can still be an asset to the club; and clearly so do they.

"I love it here. I think they enjoy my game too," McCabe said. "That's why you have agents and now it's training camp time. I'm just looking forward to being with the fellas here and, like I said, ramping up our game and getting ready for the season. He continued,

Yeah, I love it here. Like I said, we've been chatting and we'll see where things go."

Speaking on the extension talks, McCabe has it in his mind, however is more focused on the season ahead and trying to improve himself, the Maple Leafs, and hopefully bring fans a Stanley Cup for the first time in over 50 years.

"That's been my goal every single year in this league. Body feels great. As you put the games together in this league, you put yourself in more situations, you're more comfortable every single year, in my opinion, especially as a defenseman," McCabe said.

"You see certain situations, whether it's line rushes or D zone coverages, and able to adapt to that and continue to improve with my puck play, my overall game. I want to just take another step as a leader on this team and just keep pushing us in the right direction."

If McCabe can have a solid defensive season, chip in offensively and provide great penalty killing metrics, he could be a huge factor in Toronto having themselves a long playoff run.

(h/t The Hockey News for quotes)

Matthew Knies not talking contract; 'privileged' to play on top line

(2:46pm)

Matthew Knies is coming into the final year of his entry level contract and the breakout forward should be primed to be a big part of the Maple Leafs future. He isn't letting contract talks get in the way of things though, as he brushed off the issue when speaking to the media on Friday after the second day of training camp.

"I don't really want to get into that. I want to stay here. I know a lot of guys want to stay here. It's a pretty awesome place to play. I think I'm just going to leave that out of my hands and just work on getting better and contributing."

It's clear that Knies doesn't want his focus drifting away from the real goal this season: winning a Stanley Cup. He also spoke briefly on his linemates, being paired with superstar Auston Matthews and dynamic winger Mitch Marner and had nothing but humble comments regarding his placement on the top pairing for one of the most famous teams in all of sports:

It's a privilege, «I'm going to work my tail off to stay there and support them.»

It's short but sweet words from the 21-year old, showing maturity beyond his years and shows just how much of an honor it is to play alongside some of the game's best. If he can build off a breakout season and be able to eclipse 25 goals, and 60 points he would be a massive beacon of light for the Maple Leafs, especially if Marner and Matthews were to put up century marks in terms of their point production.

Knies also added on some weight this summer and joked around with reporters as to his secret for adding some poundage:

"Lots of ice cream and stuff like that," he joked. He continued on about his weight gain:

"No, I've just been working hard in the gym on the ice, trying to get to my full potential. I feel better than ever and stronger than ever. I'm just excited for the season to get going. I just want to be strong on my skates, be able to hold on to it, make plays and create space using my physicality and my strength with the puck, Knies said. I think that's where I excel on the ice. I'm just looking forward to using that extra muscle to defend the puck and create momentum with it."

Chris Tanev and Morgan Rielly: The Deadly Duo

(1:57pm)

When Chris Tanev signed with the Maple Leafs, it was a big addition to a team desperately needing a true shutdown defenseman. Tanev is elite in that regard, and provides a big body on the ice coupled with masterful command of the defensive end, being able to not only draw bodies to him when necessary, but facilitate the offense with his keen eye.

Many wonder what the pairing would be like. Would he be shoved into the mix with long-time Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly? Would he be paired with fellow addition Oliver Ekman-Larsson? Would the team be crazy enough to pay him the amount they do and stick him with the bottom pairing? Not likely, but stranger things happen in pro sports.

But after the second day of training camp, we got a clearer idea of what is the defense going forward in Toronto. Tanev and Rielly were paired together and with the offensive juggernaut that Rielly is, now with a competent and highly skilled defender to shoulder the load; he could have a sensational offensive year. He is capable of scoring 20 goals, he's capable of 70+ points, and he's capable of putting in solid defensive metrics along with it. He won't need to be the entire defense on some nights, and he would be able to fit more comfortably overall.

Tanev was excited about his pairing with Rielly, and had nothing but good things to say about the training camp experience as well as his D-Line partner:

The focus was on zone coverage, and we are trying to stay as aggressive as possible."

He then briefly spoke on Rielly and feels like the two of them together could create something magical for the Maple Leafs and feels their playstyles compliment each other quite well:

"I feel like our games gel pretty well."

Short, but sweet as is much of the Maple Leafs statements in the recent days, knowing they need to focus on the upcoming season and try to keep their cards close to their chest when it comes to how they are going to prepare for their games.

We will update you as more training camp news rolls in!