The season is just that much closer when training camp progresses into pre-season. Tonight being the first pre-season game of the year gets my mind into hockey mode as I prepare for an exciting season. The Leafs square off with the Senators at 6pm EST, and it will be hosted in Halifax, Nova Scotia at the Scotiabank Centre. Go figure.

Toronto has eight pre-season games in total, only one of which is at home at the Air Canada Centre which is this Sunday versus Montreal.

The Schedule includes:

Monday, Sept 26: 6pm Ottawa vs Toronto (Scotiabank Centre) - Halifax

Thursday, Sept. 29: 7pm Buffalo vs Toronto (Meridan Centre) – St. Catharines

Friday, Sept. 30: 7pm Toronto vs Buffalo (First Niagara Centre) – Buffalo

Sunday Oct. 2: 7pm Montreal vs Toronto (ACC) – Toronto

Tuesday Oct. 4: 9:30pm Toronto vs Ottawa (SaskTel Centre) Saskatoon

Thursday Oct. 6: 7:30pm Toronto vs Montreal (Bell Centre) Montreal

Friday Oct. 7: 7:30pm Detroit vs Toronto (FirstOntario Centre) Hamilton

Saturday Oct. 8: 7pm Toronto vs Detroit (Joe Louis Arena) Detroit

As you can see the Leafs have quite the pre-season schedule, with a mix of games all over the place. For those of you excited for tonight’s game, keep in mind Matthews won’t be joining the Buds until tomorrow as he got a bit of a rest after the World Cup.

Tonight most eyes will be focussed on Maple Leafs Mitch Marner as he has plans to dazzle the spectators with his silky mitts and improved 200 foot game. Marner has looked determined to impress the coaching staff with his play without the puck. He’s been quoted saying he feels more confident, more comfortable, stronger and faster getting up the ice. All great signs from an A grade prospect, as a fan or a member of the Maple Leafs, this is exactly what you want to see from one of your hopeful’s coming into the season.

Marner is hungry for success, he wants to impress and earn a position out of camp this year.

Laich and Greening have been skating with the Markham Machine during camp and are helping the youngster develop. A couple veterans who can point Marner in the right direction seem like a smart way to ease him into pre-season. Laich mentioned that Marner is good at body position, which is important when having the puck, or fighting to win a battle in the corner. Brooks mentioned how Marner is quick with his stick and does a good job tying up the opponent and then forcing his body to win the battle. It’s “not always size and weight you need to win one-on-one battles”, says the wily veteran Laich.

Marner seems to be quite happy under the wings of two NHL players.

“They’ve played years here in the NHL and they know what they are talking about,” Marner said. “It’s been great practising with those guys the past two days and getting on the ice and scrimmaging.

“They’ve helped me a lot and hopefully throughout the year they’ll keep help me getting better and better.”

Quick Updates:
- Andersen looks to be recovering properly and still expected to start for the Leafs opener.
- Lupul will start the season on the IR, very unlikely he rejoins the Leafs at any point, I feel.
- Leafs likely inquiring asking price on Trouba from the Jets (likely ridiculous)
- Cowen buyout seems to be completed, for now…he is off the salary cap/roster, but time will tell what the final outcome is when his arbitration hearing is complete. (saves the Leafs 2.8 million (2.15 million buried and .65 million cap credit which gives them 2.1 million in cap space).

As you can see, Lou Lamoriello is doing what he can to clean up this disastrous mess left behind by Nonis’ pitiful management group. Robidas, Horton, Lupul, Cowen, Gleason, Kessel…almost 20 million!

Looking at tonight’s lineup: (I will update the lines when I get word)

Forwards:
Mitch Marner, Connor Brown, Colin Greening, Kasperi Kapanen, Brooks Laich, Brandon Prust, Tyler Bozak, Marc-Andre Cliché, Kerby Rychel, Rich Clune, Byron Froese, Andreas Johnsson and Trevor Moore.

Defense:
Matt Hunwick, Frank Corrado, Jake Gardiner, Raman Hrabarenka, Andrew Nielsen, Rinat Valiev and Andrew Campbell.

Goalies:
Antoine Bibeau
Kasimir Kaskisuo

Enjoy the first taste of pre-season hockey, thanks for reading!

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