The Toronto Maple Leafs are a fast team. Their transition with the puck was outstanding, especially in the first game of the doubleheader against the Ottawa Senators. The Blue and White seemed to have the play throughout both games, even when the Senators scored.
In the first game, after falling behind a goal, the Maple Leafs carried the remainder of the game to win 4-1. During the second game, the Senators capitalized on Maple Leafs’ errors to win 4-2.
In this edition – the first of the season – I’ll take a look at three takeaways from the first two preseason games of the year.
Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: 5 Key Early-Season Questions
Takeaway One: I’m Glad William Nylander Wasn’t Traded (So Is Denis Malgin)
It’s tough to think that there’s been talk that William Nylander should be traded. From his first shift on the ice today, he created scoring chance after scoring chance. He simply seemed to be playing at a different speed than anyone else.
In his first couple of shifts on the ice, he repeatedly knifed through the opposition. No warm-ups were needed. It was one high-danger chance after another high-danger chance. They just seemed to keep coming.
If Nylander had his own line, he could drive the offense with almost anyone. He just seems to need someone to get the puck to and to whom he can dump the puck. He was the best player in both games.
And he carried Denis Malgin along with him. Fortunately, Malgin seems to be offensively-minded enough to know where to go when he’s partnered with Nylander. It seemed as if Nylander has decided he’s going to carry Malgin into a roster spot by himself – if he needs to. These two players had great chemistry.
Takeaway Two: Nylander and Malgin’s Chemistry Shone Through
Nylander gave Malgin lots of chances to score and Malgin did. Because Nylander was so dominant in the Maple Leafs’ offensive zone, he carried all his linemates with him. Malgin doesn’t have Nylander’s skill by a long shot, but he’s smart enough offensively to read off Nylander and find open ice.
Nylander kept putting the puck on Malgin’s stick. But Malgin also worked hard and on one occasion he beat several Senators’ players to the puck and then fed Nylander in front of the Senators’ goalie. So, it worked both ways.
Nylander did what he does well, which is to carry the puck, but Malgin also made smart choices both with and without the puck. I can see what the Maple Leafs saw in him.
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Takeaway Three: Fraser Minten Will be a Solid Player One Day
Fraser Minten might not make the big team this season or even the next, but he showed that somewhere down the road he’s going to be a really good Maple Leafs’ roster player. He’s really smart, which has become his reputation. He’s also consistent, good on the cycle and behind the net, and just seems to know where to go on the ice.
He had a breakaway chance, but his pass to Alex Steeves (who scored two goals) was blocked on a good defensive play. It was just obvious that general manager Kyle Dubas was smart to move down in the draft to pick him up.
Minten needs some work, but he’s a player – you can tell that already.
Takeaway Four: Who Said Callie Jarnkrok Can’t Score?
When Callie Jarnkrok was picked up, many Maple Leafs’ fans said it made no sense to them. He can’t score, why would the team want him – especially for so many years?
But, in Game One Jarnkrok looked smart on the ice. He fit in well with Matthews and Bunting and just seemed to go to the right place on the ice.
The puck seemed to find him in the same spot at least three times. (Obviously, both Micheal Bunting and Auston Matthews were looking for him.) Twice he scored, the other he was stopped.
He’s a smart player and just seems to be the kind of player the organization is going after. If he continues to play a heady game like he did yesterday, he’ll be a great addition to the team.
Related: Was It Mike Babcock’s Fault the Maple Leafs Players Quit on Him?
gcmgome
September 25, 2022 at 9:49 am
I can honestly say that I seemed to be the only commentor who placed Calle Jarnkrok in a top six role. Everyone and I mean everyone, had him virtually carved in stone (as opposed to penciled in) as the 3rd line right winger.
However, while I might end up being correct in this one prediction, I must concede to having stated more than once in comments that I had no idea where Denis Malgin fit in.
I have also gone on record as saying that Nick Robertson will not make this team, at least not out of camp. If he sees time with the Leafs, it will likely be as an injury call up later in the season.
I thought 3 of the 4 goalies used in the two games looked good. Keith Petruzzelli was the only keeper who let in a goal or two he coulda/shoulda stopped but then we must remember how far he has come as a pro.
Among the waiver exempt Marlies hopefuls; Alex Steeves and Bobby McMann showed well while among the D corps, Filip Kral and Mac Hollowell did not look out of place.
I have mentioned several times in comments that I just had a feeling that this year’s Leafs would somehow emerge as a better team than last season …of course pre-season games do not mean much but I like what we have seen so far.
Old Prof
September 25, 2022 at 1:41 pm
You were right – I too just thought he would be slotted into Mikheyev’s spot – perhaps you are right on this one – he seemed to know exactly where to be on the ice! Thanks for your addition –
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