it’s really important to create that unity especially early on before camp and I think we’ve done that. “We have some pretty big personalities, which is great.
We have some guys who are new who have made themselves right at home, guys like Nick Paul, Raddysh, Gavin (McKenna) has fit in really well with the guys. “The energy in the room, even in these last couple of weeks, everybody has been great.
(There are) some characters. “It’s great when you have guys who speak up in the room who like to have fun and keep it light.
With the level of energy and enthusiasm some of these guys bring from a competitive standpoint on the ice, it’s a great mixture so far.” Neither Paul nor Raddysh were part of the Stanley Cup-winning teams in Tampa Bay, but each grew under Lightning coach Jon Cooper and have some swagger. Bobrovsky’s presence as a future Hall of Famer would be welcome in any dressing room.
How McKenna progresses with the weight of being the first-overall pick will come under scrutiny. More than 10 years after Matthews was the top pick by the Leafs in Buffalo, what kind of guidance can he offer McKenna?
“There’s no how-to-do-it book that we can just pass to him and say here, ‘Listen to all of this,’” Matthews said. “You’re going to go through experiences, you’re going to go through ups and downs, and he’s going to learn a lot of things.
“He’s a very smart kid to begin with, so he’s going to be just fine. It’s on us to support him, communicate with him, help him in any way we can.” WHERE’S THE PROOF?
The last thing Matthews said to Leslie came after he was asked what makes him the most hungry to get the season going. “Once August came around, I was itching to get back here, get back with the guys, and start this long journey,” Matthews said.
“We don’t want to look too far ahead. “There’s a lot of excitement to go in this year and prove a lot of people wrong, but also prove ourselves right and have the confidence that we’re a good team and that we can come together and do something special, but it’s just one day at a time.” HAVE YOUR SAY: What do you think of Maple Leafs off-season changes ahead of training camp?
Can the Maple Leafs buck history? New GM-coach duos often struggle early That kind of sentiment, in general, is one we’ve heard so many times before in this Leafs era, one that has included numerous coaching and GM changes but in which only Mitch Marner has been shed from the core that includes Matthews, John Tavares, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly.
Proving anyone on the outside wrong doesn’t really wash — criticisms of the Leafs after they crashed and missed the playoffs all were valid. Can this group, led by the aforementioned nucleus, finally prove itself right?
That’s the biggest question with the regular season two weeks away. tkoshan@postmedia.com X: @koshtorontosun?
