The Maple Leafs and Canadiens skated at Bell Center on Wednesday.
The Leafs will look to capitalize on a Canadiens defense with four rookies, including two players — Kaiden Guhle and Arber Xhekaj — making their NHL debuts.
“The young lads are always hungry to prove something, especially these lads,” warned winger Mitch Marner. “These guys have a lot of Canadians in their roster. In Canada, Toronto is always a team that is talked about a lot. Everyone is always excited to show it off [off] against us and prove a point.”
“If you watch them preseason, they’re flying around,” said defenseman Mark Giordano, 39, who has played in more NHL games than the entire Montreal defense combined. “That’s how the league is now. It’s a game for young men, so we have to be aware of that.”
Mark Giordano has more NHL gaming experience than the cumulative total #have D-Corps brings tonight’s game vs. #Leaves:
1.024-932 https://t.co/0bmmN6zUYZ
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 12, 2022
Guhle, a 20-year-old from Edmonton, plans to start with top pair alongside David Savard, while Xhekaj, a 21-year-old from Hamilton, Ontario, is scheduled to start with second pair alongside Chris Wideman.
The Leafs ranked second in goals per game last season (3.8). Toronto’s attack consists of reigning Hart Trophy winners Auston Matthews and Marner, who amassed 97 points last season.
“We played these guys a few times in the preseason, so it’s good to get that nervousness out of the way when you see these guys coming your way,” Guhle told reporters. “I think we’re comfortable playing these guys.”
“I was pretty calm,” said Xhekaj. “I think it’s more my parents who are nervous and pinching themselves and realizing what actually happened. I find I don’t usually notice it. For me everything goes fast and I don’t have time to suck it in. I just have to get up and play.”
Montreal’s third pair of defensemen consists of Johnathan Kovacevic, 25, who has four NHL games, and 22-year-old Jordan Harris, who made his NHL debut in 10 games for the Canadiens last season.
Toronto’s forward line will be in full strength as center John Tavares returns from an oblique injury.
“We want to put as much pressure on the opponent’s defense and their goaltender as possible and spend as much time as possible on their half of the ice,” said coach Sheldon Keefe. “We have four lines that we can consistently roll that should be inherently relentless.”
The Leafs and Canadiens drew four games last season, with Montreal beating Toronto 12-8.
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Xhekaj was unselected in the Ontario Hockey League draft. He was not selected in the National Hockey League draft. When OHL was not holding a season during the pandemic, he worked at Costco.
“It’s amazing,” said Xhekaj, who landed a contract as a free-agent invite at the 2021 Montreal training camp. “It’s something special. The last two years have been crazy for me.”
Marner watched Xhekaj’s run to the OHL title in Hamilton last season and was impressed.
“His story is pretty cool,” Marner said. “I didn’t realize he wasn’t drafted into any of the leagues and to be where he is now is superb. It’s the kind of story that kids need to watch and grow up with because it’s not always the prettiest way to get where you want to be. It’s about working hard and keeping your dreams alive.”
Xhekaj cites Toronto’s Jake Muzzin and Detroit native Ben Chiarot, a native of Hamilton, as his NHL role models.
“He’s a big man who tries to incorporate his physicality into his game and tries to make it difficult for others,” Marner noted. “For us, it’s just about making smart plays with it, supporting each other on the ice and trying to draw people in and open up other people.”
“I’ve just learned my time and place,” said Xhekaj. “I obviously want to make a statement and show that I’ll be a physical guy and take care of business if it’s necessary.”
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The Canadians will also have a rookie at the top as first overall winner Juraj Slafkovsky competes alongside Christian Dvorak and Brendan Gallagher.
“It feels like a dream life,” the Slovakia winger told reporters. “Get called up by Montreal. Opening night against Toronto in Montreal. It’s like a dream and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
Is it nerve related?
“Maybe I’m a little nervous, but I’m not showing it,” he said with a wry grin. “Or not yet.”
The 18-year-old has excelled on the big stage in his young career. He was the MVP at the Beijing 2022 Olympics.
“He’s a big man,” Marner remarked. “He moves very well on his feet for his size (6ft 3). Obviously he’s got a pretty good shot. He’s making some good games out there. He can see the ice very well and isn’t afraid to put pucks in the net.”
Matthews, another top pick, paused when asked if he had any advice for Slafkovsky.
“That’s an interesting question,” the Leafs center said, “because they’re an opponent, so I don’t know. You’ll find out somehow along the way. I’m not sure if I got too much advice [for him]. He was picked there for a reason, so I’m sure he’ll be ready.”
It’s the anniversary of Matthew’s NHL debut. On October 12, 2016, in Ottawa, he scored a record four goals.
“Obviously it’s a lot of work, up to this point,” recalled the Arizona native. “Finally living your dream, playing in the NHL, playing your first game, a lot of emotions going through your head. In the end it’s just hockey and something we’ve all done our whole lives, so that’s the mindset I try to have every night when I go into a game, no matter the situation.”
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Top winger Michael Bunting, who is entering the final year of his current contract, told reporters he was open to negotiations during the season.
Speaking during Inside Trading on Tuesday’s SportsCentre, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun said there hadn’t been any contract talks yet, but if those negotiations do begin, a deal for a maximum of eight years is attractive to both sides.
“I’m a boy from Toronto. I love playing for the Maple Leafs. This is my home,” Bunting told reporters, including the Toronto Sun’s Terry Koshan. “I grew up in Scarborough and yes it’s so much fun to put on that sweater every night. That’s what I’ll say about that and I hope everything else will fall into place.”
As noted on Insider Trading, there have been no contract talks yet on the Bunting front. But when those talks start, I think 8 years will be attractive for both sides if they can find common ground at AAV. 8 years could help Leafs on the cap number… https://t.co/b4RV3ZaijB
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 12, 2022
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Leafs lines for the 2022-23 season opener:
Ammer-Matthews-Marner
Nylander-Tavares-Malgin
Engvall-Kerfoot-Jarnkrok
Aston-Reese – Battle – Aube-Kubel
Rielly- Brodie
Muzzin Holl
Giordano Sandin
Murray begins
Samsonov
Injured: Liljegren (hernia), Benn (groin)
Flashback: Leafs lines for the 2021-22 season opener:
Ritchie-Tavares-Marner
Bunting-Kerfoot-Nylander
Engvall – Fight – Kase
Spezza-Amadio-Simmonds
Rielly- Brodie
Muzzin Holl
Sandin-Dermott
Campbell begins
Mrzek
Injured: Matthews (wrist)
#Leaves #Mistrust #Young #Habs #Point #Proved #TSN.ca
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