The Maple Leafs have added another young defenseman to the fold, as they have signed undrafted free agent Cody Donaghey to a three-year entry level contract.
The 18-year-old blueliner had 9 goals, 29 assists in 67 games for the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL last season. The 6-1, 185-pound native native of St. John’s, Newfoundland led all Rempart defensemen in points and goals during the 2013-14 season and impressed Leafs management at the rookie tournament in London, ON last week.
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The Leafs held their first of two Blue and White scrimmages Saturday morning at the Mastercard Center in Etobicoke, ON. The contest ended in a 2-2 tie, with Peter Holland scoring twice for Team White and Viktor Loov and Matt Frattin tallying for Team Blue.
2014 first pick William Nylander played on a line with new addition Petri Kontiola and Phil Kessel, while James van Riemsdyk skated with Nazem Kadri and Frattin.
In the second game, Team Blue won by a score of 4-0 with rookie Antoine Bibeau getting the shutout and James Reimer allowing all four goals to Daniel Winnik, Joffrey Lupul, Eric Knodel and Colton Orr.
James Reimer during the 2nd Blue and White scrimmage Saturday afternoon. #leafs pic.twitter.com/iqDTeSdDFV
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) September 20, 2014*******
Notes from Day Two of training camp
Defenseman Stephane Robidas was on the ice for about 15 minutes at Mastercard Center Saturday, but did not participate in the two scrimmages. The 37-year-old blueliner is expected to be ready for action in the last week of training camp.
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Goaltender Jonathan Bernier indicated that he is 100% healthy after having sports hernia surgery over the summer.
#Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier patrolling his goal during morning practice at the MCC. pic.twitter.com/AYLzmZ3ArX
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) September 20, 2014"I'm feeling great." Bernier said. "I don't even think about it anymore.
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The coaches have spent the first few days of camp instructing the players on a new defensive system, which appears to be slight adjustments from last year rather than a wholesale change in philosophy.
Coach Randy Carlyle giving instructions to his players prior to practice at Mastercard Center in Etobicoke, ON #Leafs pic.twitter.com/1qTsxsIfMu
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) September 20, 2014"I think we got a bit of a different system, so I mean it's going to take some time to wrap our heads around, but really not too complicated." Nazem Kadri said.
The emphasis appears to be on defensive structure and having the forwards focus on the point men rather than collapsing down to support the defense.
"It's nothing that no one has ever seen before." Joffrey Lupul said "It's the first day, there's a bunch of fine tuning but I think it's going to take a lot of the second guessing out of it."
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Leafs coach Randy Carlyle indicated that the injuries to David Clarkson and Tyler Bozak are both lower body and occurred prior to training camp when the pair were skating with teammates. The injuries are not long term, but both players did not dress for the scrimmages on Saturday.
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