|
Leafs training camp news and notes – Day 1 in Niagara Falls |
|
|
|
|
|
For the latest Leafs updates or on Twitter
A group of over 70 players took to the ice at the Gale Centre Arena in Niagara Falls, ON for the first day of on-ice workouts at Toronto Maple Leafs training camp.
The squad was split up into three sessions, went through a series of drills and two groups faced each other in a 40-minute scrimmage.
Observations on Day 1:
Leafs head coach Mike Babcock opted for continuity with the line combinations for those who are locks to make up the three lines.
The top unit of Zach Hyman, Auston Matthews and William Nylander remained intact, as well as the James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Mitch Marner line, while veteran winger Patrick Marleau (who celebrated his 38th birthday on Friday) played with Frederik Gauthier (who subbed in for Nazem Kadri) and Leo Komarov.
Komarov, who patrolled the left side with Kadri all of last season, shifted to right wing on Friday to make room for Marleau.
“Not a problem at all (to play the right side).” Komarov said. “A couple years ago, I played right (wing) and last year left, it’s what the coaches want me to do. I used to play center when I was younger too, so I don’t think it is going to be a problem.”
Fourth liner Matt Martin skated with former KHLer Miro Altonen and Connor Brown and scored the opening goal in a 3-0 victory for Team White over Team Blue. Rookie Carl Grundstrom and Mitch Marner scored the other goals.
Kadri and defenseman Nikita Zaitsev were the only players absent from workouts on Friday. Babcock indicated that Kadri’s injury was “nothing” and that the center would be on the ice on Saturday, while Zaitsev may miss another day or two with a non-serious injury.
Defenseman Roman Polak participated in drills, but did not feel ready to play in the scrimmage on the first day. The 31-year-old blueliner was cleared medically on Thursday after travelling over from the Czech Republic and is focusing on getting in game shape.
“I was keeping in touch with the (Leafs) doctors, so we were on the same page and were communicating.” Polak said. “They were telling me what I could do (and) what I couldn’t do.”
Polak would not elaborate on whether he entertained offers from any other NHL clubs over the summer and said he was focused on proving to the Leafs that he is healthy and earning a spot on the roster.
If Polak is healthy, his presence will definitely have an impact on the battle for a spot on the Toronto blueline. The Leafs are high on young defensive prospects Calle Rosen, Andreas Borgman and Travis Dermott, but they will only make the NHL roster if they have earned a spot in the top six.
Polak could return as a starting option or could possibly supplant Martin Marincin as the depth defenseman.
“(Marincin) can really skate, can pass the puck, does a lot of things, but he’s never really grabbed hold of (a job) yet. If you don’t eventually grab hold of it, you are not in the league anymore.” Babcock said. “Marty’s in a situation, with Rosen, Borgman and Carrick here, he’s battling for a job. One thing about the players, they’re smart, they know what’s going on. He knows the situation he’s in and so he’s got to have a good training camp."
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»