For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter The Toronto Maple Leafs were put through their paces at the Ford Performance Centre on Monday, but it was a completely different experience as new head coach Sheldon Keefe had assistants and skills coaches working with the players in a setting that seemed more like the opening days of training camp.
"I come from a background where development is a priority and while performance, of course, is a priority here, we believe that continuing to develop the players is important. I'm trying to start at Stage 1 for what I would like to do and what I'd like to incorporate.… Keefe said. "I've had a lot of success with the Marlies in utilizing the resources that we have around us, in particular with the player development staff. They do a terrific job. They know what my expectations are in terms of working the skills within the structure. And I just thought it was a great way to introduce some of the concepts you want our players to focus on offensively."
The club was split into separate groups before putting the full roster together for a practice that lasted over an hour.
"I think it's good for us. I'm just trying to learn some new things and system wise change up a couple things. It’s good to get on the ice and see figure some of that stuff out." Auston Matthews said. "(Sheldon is) really passionate. I think he brings a really good energy in the locker room every day. We've only had him for a couple days. The message that he's just trying to get across is for us to go out there and play hockey. We want to lay down the foundation for the game that we're trying to play."
Mitch Marner on the ice at Ford Performance Centre. He suffered a high ankle sprain on November 9 vs. Philadelphia and was expected to be out a minimum of four weeks. #Leafs pic.twitter.com/wfMwMIRSJi
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) November 25, 2019
Prior to practice, injured forwards Mitch Marner and Trevor Moore took to the ice. Marner is about halfway through the four-week minimum recovery time for his injury and appeared to be gingerly testing his ankle. Moore is still recovering from a shoulder injury after colliding with Boston’s Chris Wagner on November 15, for which no timetable was given.
The club made a roster move after practice, recalling goalie Michael Hutchinson and returning Kasimir Kaskisuo to the Toronto Marlies. The 29-year-old played three AHL games after being demoted on November 12 and went 3-0, with a 1.95 GAA and .942 save percentage.
The Leafs have a home-and-home with the Buffalo Sabres on the weekend, and instead of assigning blame to the backup who was not at fault for the losses in the second of back-to-back games, they are giving the veteran another chance before exploring options outside the organization.
*******
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety handed down their ruling on Alex Kerfoot, who had a hearing after cross-checking Colorado Avalanche defenseman Eric Johnson on Saturday. The Leafs forward was suspended for two games, which means he will sit out the last two games of Toronto’s six-game road trip in Detroit on Wednesday and Buffalo on Friday afternoon.
"First and foremost, I'm disappointed in myself. It was obviously a bad play. I know Johnson well and I hope he's alright, I hope that doesn't miss any time or anything like that. I feel terrible about the incident, obviously I did not mean to do it by any means, but it's a bad spot in the ice and something that I shouldn't be doing." Kerfoot said after the suspension was announced. "I think the feeling in the moment is you just feel bad. You don't want to see someone fall into the boards like that and then after the fact, when it's someone that you know and you're close with. I think that does make it a little worse."
*******
The podcast is on podcast. Enjoy. @MikeInBuffalo @IamNormanJames https://t.co/20g5cZgCN0
— The Leafs Convo (@TheLeafsConvo) November 25, 2019