Toronto Maple Leafs Training Camp Day One: Hourly Live Updates
The Toronto Maple Leafs have kicked off their 2024-2025 season with their first on-ice session of training camp Thursday and here's all the information you need to know.
Maple Leafs split into three groups on Day One
(11:24am)The Maple Leafs brought in a huge roster of players for their training camp, which has led the team to drop three separate groups with the first two groups being composed primarily of the NHL roster and the third being the developmental group (along with Jani Hakanpaa as he heals up).
The groupings were released on X today, and gives a good idea of what Toronto has in mind for their roster for the upcoming year.
Group One is a lot of the main players and key game changers on the team as we see Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Nick Robertson, Chris Tanev, John Tavares, Morgan Rielly and Matthew Knies. Some notable additions in that first group are top prospect Easton Cowan, as well as Alexander Nylander; William's younger brother who signed an AHL deal with Toronto this summer. Rookies Jacob Quillan and Noah Chadwick have also found themselves in the first group; a big sign they may be closer than we think.
TSN's Mark Masters put out the lineups for the first grouping and they look extremely solid to start things off:
Matthews didn't take long in establishing himself as the leader, providing the stretching routine after the first practice.
The second group consists of some NHL names, but also contains a lot of the Marlies hopefuls as well as the PTO signings such as Steven Lorentz and Max Pacioretty. We also see William Nylander and Max Domi in the second pairing, and after William Nylander's confirmed move to center, it's understandable to see why these two are together. Nylander led the second grouping in their stretches, much like Matthews did:
Head coach Craig Berube said that Nylander will line up with Domi on his wing; which would give Toronto a center option in a weak middle grouping, and with him being in Toronto for the next 8 years, having a top 1-2 punch down the middle for the foreseeable future is a massive advantage.
We also see Prospect Showcase standouts Topi Niemala, Nikita Grebenkin, and Roni Hirvonen skating in the second group, meanwhile Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Timothy Liljegren also find themselves in group two; Liljegren has a lot to work for this season as his name has been thrown around in trade rumors for the majority of summer and he needs to have a consistent and frankly, breakout year in order to keep any spot on the team.
The third group consists of long-shots, rookies, and a mishmash of low-end prospects and hopefuls. Notables on the list include Miroslav Holinka, Joseph Blandisi, Artur Akhtyamov, and Robert Mastrosimone; a mix of AHLers and hopeful prospects that will probably find themselves in the junior circuit for this season and beyond. The main name on this list is Jani Hakanpaa, who the Maple Leafs finally signed after months of speculation and questions; he's solely here for a conditioning stint as he gets back into the swing of things. He won't be ready to start the season, and there's no real timeframe on his return, so it's good to give him the chance to work at his pace and not the level of the first two groups.
Maple Leafs rookies bitten by injury bug
(12:30pm)The Toronto Maple Leafs were expecting big things from their rookies, namely Fraser Minten and Ben Danford but they are currently dealing with injuries and unfortunately have missed the start of training camp. Maple Leafs forward Connor Dewar also is unavailable at the start of camp due to his recovery from a shoulder injury. These were confirmed by Chris Johnston; NHL Insider:
Minten was really trying to vie for a spot on this year's roster and his spot on the Maple Leafs coming out of training camp seemed all but set in stone, but this injury is a big setback for the start of the season. He excelled in the Prospect Showcase and if he is able to get healthy and contribute goals like the one below; he could have a huge breakout year.
Danford, the Maple Leafs 31st overall pick in this year's NHL Entry Draft suffered a nasty concussion thanks to a hit by Maple Leafs camp invitee Marshall Finnie.
Danford wasn't really expected to make the team out of training camp but he certainly could see a spot on the Marlies after camp. It's an unfortunate injury and as always, concussions are some of the scariest injuries in sports. He was kept out of the Prospect Showcase against Montreal, and the Maple Leafs do not want to rush him whatsoever.
Another name not at camp is Connor Dewar who is currently dealing with a shoulder injury. Dewar would play his role as the 13th forward, and he would provide the Maple Leafs some insurance should he stay healthy. He would have skated presumably in the 2nd grouping with the bottom lines of forwards.
Maple Leafs defenseman Conor Timmins also had an injury scare during his first practice in training camp, although it seems he may have avoided anything serious.
We will update you with any information as it pertains to Timmins' injury status.
The Maple Leafs have more than enough bodies to supplement the loss of these players, but it truly is unfortunate that they will be a step behind once they return to the ice. Toronto can't afford any setbacks.
William Nylander's ready to play up the middle for Maple Leafs
(2:05pm)William Nylander enjoyed a breakout season last year, and he hopes to ride that wave of momentum into this season and help Toronto secure their first Stanley Cup since 1967. It was rumored this season the Maple Leafs would move Nylander to center and that was confirmed later by head coach Craig Berube.
Nylander was seen skating on a line with Max Domi and Calle Jarnkrok; something that could be seen as a high scoring third line option, and may find himself lining up with Max Pacioretty at points. Nylander was thrilled to be moved to the position, as afterwards he spoke to the media; decked out in a black tank top and had nothing but positives to say about the position change.
He's also excited about the prospect of playing with his brother Alex, who was skating on the top grouping today with the likes of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
Nylander is fresh off signing an 8-year extension with the Maple Leafs and is looking to use his back to back 40-goal seasons to propel him even further into the elite category and perhaps even push for 50 goals and 100 points. Toronto fans are certainly hopeful that he can be a huge part of lifting their playoff curse; it's been too long.
More to come as Maple Leafs training camp continues!
| POLL | ||
What are you most excited about for training camp? | ||
| New signings | 21 | 11.8 % |
| Rookies | 17 | 9.6 % |
| New coach | 36 | 20.2 % |
| HOCKEY IS BACK BABY!!!! | 104 | 58.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
