Leafs Open 2016 Development Camp (maple leafs)

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Leafs Open 2016 Development Camp

By Mike Augello

Jul 4, 2016 • 1:32 pm

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The key to the Toronto Maple Leafs becoming a competitive club in the next few seasons will not be free agent signings or trades, but recognition of talent in the draft and proper development to get the most out of their young prospects.

41 prospects took to the ice at the Leafs 2016 Development Camp at the MasterCard Center in Etobicoke, ON on Monday, including 2016 top pick Auston Matthews, 2015 first rounder Mitch Marner and all but two of the 2016 Draft class (second round pick Yegor Korshkov and seventh rounder Nikolai Chebykin stayed in Russia).

The 18-year-old Matthews has some familiar faces in the room that will make his first team function as a Leaf more comfortable, but is rooming with new teammate Dmytro Timashov.

“I played with guys like (Jeremy) Bracco, JD Greenway, (Joseph)Woll (in the USA Hockey program), I’m pretty familiar with them.… Matthews said to a throng of Toronto reporters on Monday. “It’s always nice to meet some new faces and get to know some more people.…

For Marner, the biggest challenge in his second off-season with the Leafs is getting stronger. The CHL, Memorial Cup, OHL regular season and playoff MVP is currently at 163 lbs and hopes to be at 170 lb by the start of training camp. The 19-year-old knows that putting on muscle will be the key to making the Toronto roster.

“I just want to make sure to feel comfortable enough to go out against men and play hard, play my game and make sure that I can go out there and do things that I like to do. Marner said. “(The Leafs) just want me at a weight that they know I can withstand the NHL.… Marner said. “It depends on how hard I work this summer. Obviously, that’s the main goal this summer is just putting on weight and getting (stronger).…

Timashov is coming off a second solid season in the QMJHL and an impressive performance at the World Junior in Helsinki, but has realistic expectations of where he will begin in professional career in North America.

“I haven’t thought that much about the NHL, but my next goal is the American Hockey League.… Timashov said. “That’s where I’m going to play (next season) and gonna try to do the best there.

The players will travel down the QEW for three days of practice sessions at the Gale Center Arena in Niagara Falls, ON on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, which are closed to the public.

The club will hold a intra-squad scrimmage open to the public at 10am on Friday and will return to MasterCard Center for a scrimmage on Saturday.

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With veterans Mark Arcobello and Sam Carrick signing in Europe and the Blackhawks and William Nylander projected to be in the NHL, the Leafs have signed veteran center Marc-Andre Cliche to an AHL contract.

The 29-year-old played two full seasons with the Colorado Avalanche between 2014 and 2015 after six seasons in the AHL and joins Colin Smith, Byron Froese, Frederik Gauthier and possibly 2016 fourth round pick Adam Brooks in the mix for the Marlies up the middle.

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Listen to the Season Finale of “Off The Post… with myself, Russ Cohen and Anthony Mingioni, as we discuss the free agent signings on July 1:

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Note : Continue to check back to my column on Hockeybuzz throughout the day for the latest Leafs updates or on Twitter

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