For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter The Toronto Maple Leafs moved to 6-1 on the preseason with a 6-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Scotiabank Arena on Friday, mostly on the strength of their special teams, who scored four times (three power play goals and one shorthanded). Jake Gardiner scored twice, Nazem Kadri, John Tavares, Par Lindholm and Patrick Marleau scored for Toronto, who will finish off the exhibition schedule with a much different lineup in their rematch against the Winged Wheelers at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday. Head coach Mike Babcock indicated after the game that Frederik Gauthier (who played wing on the fourth line on Friday) would be the only player to dress in both games. Curtis McElhinney, who appears to be leading in the battle of the backup goaltenders with Garret Sparks, will get the start for Toronto. A couple performances on Friday appear to have locked up a couple roster spots prior to the final cut down to 23 either Sunday or Monday. Josh Leivo had three assists on the night, including primary helpers on Gardiner and Marleau’s power play goals in the second period. Babcock indicated that Leivo will likely start the regular season on a line with Nazem Kadri and Connor Brown until William Nylander rejoins the club. “It looks to me like that’s where they’re starting the regular season,… the Leafs head coach said. “You just go day to day and whatever happens you adjust accordingly.… Defenseman Travis Dermott made his return to the lineup vs. Detroit and after a subpar game from Calle Rosen in Montreal on Wednesday, the 21-year-old appears to have solidified his hold on a spot on the bottom pairing with Igor Ozhiganov. “He played a solid game tonight, he moved the puck.… Babcock said. “Obviously we think he is a good player, he just has to play good.…
The @MapleLeafs have announced the roster for Saturday night’s pre-season game in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/hh1CYLAogH
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) September 29, 2018
Agent Darren Ferris indicated on Friday that the Leafs are continuing contract extension talks with Mitch Marner. Marner led the team with 69 points last season and will be a restricted free agent next July. “We’ve had some very productive discussions so far. If nothing is done by the start of the season, then we’ll wait until next summer and we’ll get back at it again.… Ferris said on TSN’s Leafs Lunch. “I haven’t stated (not negotiating during the season) to them, but it is my preference and Mitch’s — to concentrate on the year at hand and work towards winning a Cup this year possibly. If things can be worked out, then it’s great, you get a deal done...but there is time.… For Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, it would be beneficial to get Marner and Matthews signed to long-term deals before this season is completed, since another high scoring campaign will likely make their asking price higher next summer. The anticipation of that might be impetus to get William Nylander signed to a bridge deal, which would allow the Leafs to keep the restricted free agent in the fold for two or three years for a lesser amount and fit in Marner and Matthews larger salaries on seven-or-eight year deals.
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