TORONTO — Maybe, just maybe, the jury’s still out.
Eleven out of 12 chairman GMs have long declared the Florida Panthers the runaway winners of the 2020 Mason Marchment-for-Denis Malgin trade.
Rightly so, as the undersized Malgin has spent the past two seasons flitting around the Swiss league and the bloody Marchment broke out to the Presidents’ Trophy champion with 18 goals and 47 points.
But Malgin – once written off as a dexterous European whose skills only translate back home – is back in Toronto and, after a few point-a-game tours of his home country and a 12-point splash in May’s world, is making another attempt Championship.
Sharpen the blade, but don’t completely saw off the branch of the trade tree just yet.
“The NHL is the best league in the world, so it’s always nice to come back,” says the 25-year-old. “That was my goal.”
As the most dangerous scorer at last year’s Zurich Lions (hey, Auston Matthews’ alma mater!), Malgin saw plenty of ice time in all situations and earned coach Rikard Gronborg’s trust.
Malgin comes to Toronto’s tryouts with a quiet determination to outperform and impress several cap-friendly wingers struggling for the final cut.
Some have noted his poise and confidence.
During Malgin’s first pre-season contest on Saturday, he shone alongside William Nylander to find the net.
On Monday, the speedy 1.70m water beetle earned the coveted second row left wingers with Nylander and captain John Tavares, ending a couple of tic-tac-toe rushes.
“Well, he’s probably just a little more familiar with his surroundings. Even off the ice he’s a pretty quiet, shy guy, but you can tell he’s opening up a lot more. And obviously (he) has had a really good season overseas and just seems very confident in his game,” says Tavares.
“I thought we moved the puck well between ourselves, so I think Malgs has a lot of potential and obviously very strong ability.”
Nylander agrees: “Great little player.”
While it would be foolish to include Malgin in the top 6 on the Leafs’ opening night, the hole on the left side of Tavares’ unit is a major concern.
Malgin may be the first to get a run there, but he won’t be the last. Calle Järnkrok, Adam Gaudette, Nick Robertson, Pierre Engvall and Alexander Kerfoot should all be there.
“In terms of John and Will, I immediately see it as a job that is available. Guys can compete for that,” says Keefe.
“It gives us an opportunity during this pre-season to try different things that may be inevitable in terms of injuries or mid-season player changes. We’ll get different angles on things as we go.”
For now, Malgin is getting his look.
It’s light so far.
“It’s hard for a guy like him to really show up in practice,” says Keefe. “He’s a highly qualified guy who plays and can make the difference offensively. He’s been good in the first two days. He’s been excellent (Saturday).
“Every time he touched the puck, it seemed like something good was going to happen to it.”
Marner builds up, brightens
Compare Mitchell Marner’s 2021 training camp to Mitchell Marner’s 2022 training camp and two things stand out.
He is happier and heavier.
In the fall of 2021, things looked tight for the magic playmaker. His exchanges with reporters sometimes bordered on the tense. Understandably, Toronto’s ugly playoff collapse against Montreal – and its goalless performance in those seven games – had lasting repercussions.
Recall that Marner failed to find a net in the first eight games of 2021-22 before breaking out for his best 97-point crack of his career.
Smiling, joking, and humming, Marner looks every milligram the real him these days. From the cheap seats, a few of his dizzying screams could be heard during Saturday’s matinee exhibition shifts in Ottawa. His slippery nature resulted in two trip penalties. And his meetings with the press were easy-going and chatty.
Engaged fresh off the ice, Marner is all about it on the ice.
“He continues to mature and learn more and more about himself,” says Tavares. “The dynamic of being in his role, his stature in the game and on the team, (he) feels more comfortable there. Year after year you just learn more and have a better understanding.
“Every year you want to start as soon as possible. There are ups and downs at various points in your career and you learn to master them. And how he started last year I don’t think it’s because he played badly. But I think you saw tremendous progress in the second half in that game.
The guy is at his best and feeling easygoing.
“Initial indications are that he came to camp in good shape,” says coach Sheldon Keefe. “Certainly doesn’t look like someone resting on what they achieved last season. He wants to build on that.”
One thing the six-foot right winger has already built on is his physique, which has gone from 172 pounds at the time to 181 over the past year.
He’s proud of the adjustments he’s made over the summer, most notably eating healthier with a focus on muscle-building nutrition.
“It’s not a huge jump, but it’s still a few pounds that makes you feel a little bit stronger,” said Marner, who hit a career-high 75 hits last season. “Can cut into the ice a little more, guys take a little more one on one. But we’ll see when the actual season starts. Now it’s just about maintaining that weight and staying healthy with that and seeing how that makes me feel.”
Teammate William Nylander has already noticed Marner throwing his weight around.
“He sure looks good in battles. I noticed that as soon as I got here,” says Nylander.
Praising Arizona
Auston Matthews’ plan to house Marner at his desert home was dashed last summer when the centerman opted for wrist surgery.
But the linemates made up for a rain check last month when Matthews flew his two local wingers across the country for a fun week of work/play.
“I thought it would be nice for them to leave Toronto for a while,” Matthews grins. “We just hung out and fought a lot. Played a lot of tennis, golf, table tennis, some stuff. It was just a nice week to relax but also do some work and prepare for the season.”
The paddle and racquet fights were as competitive as the sessions on the ice.
“It was great coming down this year,” says Marner. “We want to win against each other in everything we do.”
Marner concedes that he is the third best tennis player on the top line, but the matches between Michael Bunting and Matthews have been intense.
“Whatever they say, I’ve dominated tennis,” Bunting said. “We had some successes together last year and they are fun to play with. Hopefully we can continue with that and continue to build that chemistry.”
Steph Curry noted that Marner relaunched his jersey at the Matthews athletic field.
“Curry has always been my type,” Marner outlines a parallel. “A smaller guy and a lot of people didn’t think he was coming out. Many people doubted him. What he accomplished in the game of basketball was remarkable and something special to watch as a fan. The work he puts into his craft, which shows on the pitch every day, is impressive.”
One-time: Five days in camp and Jake Muzzin (back pain) has yet to join his teammates on the ice. He and Pierre Engvall (foot/ankle) ran on a separate pad…. Stay-at-home defender Jordie Benn has caught a glimpse alongside Morgan “Green Light” Rielly…. Adam Gaudette missed Monday’s practice session due to a shoulder injury he sustained against Ottawa on Saturday and is listed as day-to-day… David Kämpf was absent for private reasons…. Tavare’s first impression of the 2022 Maple Leafs’ first draft pick, Fraser Minten, who he ran with over the summer: “Very exciting player. Clever. Just a pleasure to be here. I think he’s a great kid. We have a good one in him. “It’s going to be cool for sure,” says Murray. “But I’m trying to make the best of it and prepare for Game 1 of the season. (Wednesday) is the first step. So I just hope to enjoy it and make the most of it.”
#Maple #Leafs #Notebook #Malgin #deserves #shot #biggest #gap #lineup #Marner #strengthens
Leave a Comment