LEAFS NOTES: New teammates fly to Colorado and go right into the fire
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The new Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche flew cross country, then jumped right into the lineups for Saturday’s game in Denver.
Toronto coach Craig Berube told media at Ball Arena two hours before faceoff that Scott Laughton would centre Bobby McMann and Max Domi, the latter shifting from the middle to right wing, while defenceman Brandon Carlo would be paired with Morgan Rielly.
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Winger Calle Jarnkrok, after two games back to test his durability after a season-long absence with sports hernia surgery, was not in the lineup. The Leafs also shed two forwards on Friday when Connor Dewar was traded to Pittsburgh with defenceman Conor Timmins and Ryan Reaves cleared waivers and was assigned to the Toronto Marlies.
Carlo’s head was sure to be spinning during the anthems when he looked across the ice and saw his long-time Boston teammate Charlie Coyle dressed in Avalanche colours with fellow newcomer Brock Nelson via the Islanders. The two had flown to Denver together, while Laughton made his way from Philadelphia with Erik Johnson, who was traded back to his Colorado draft team.
FAMILY AFFAIR
After so many years of rumours every trade deadline, Laughton said his exit from a decade in PhilIy was rather quick. Held out of practice, he knew something was up at the rink and after a chat with general manager Daniel Briere and some hugs with teammates, he went home, packed, said goodbye to his wife and headed to the airport.
“I think emotions were high (Friday),” said Oakville native Laughton, who was swapped with a sixth-round pick for a conditional first-rounder in 2027 and young winger Nikita Grebenkin. “I grew up in Philly and had a lot of great friendships I think with the staff and everyone there.”
But thoughts shifted to how his father Craig is going to enjoy this chapter in his hockey career.
“My dad being able to drive down to my games, I think that’s a pretty cool feeling. So I’m really, really excited and it’s good to come to a team like this and such great talent here. To get a chance at the playoffs again (the Flyers are facing a fifth year out of the dance) is something that I wanted.”
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Laughton remarked on the irony of Johnson being among those Flyers upset he was leaving for the Leafs and a short while later found out he’d been dealt to the Avs.
The Leafs’ potential excites Laughton.
“I think the talent is very high. They brought in (netminding tandem) Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll. Their goaltending has been very good for them this year. Their back end is big and heavy. It makes it hard to play through the middle. And you know some of the guys up front that can put the puck in the back of the net. So, I just want to add a little bit of energy, grit and make it easy on those guys to go out there and do their job.”
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH
Carlo was not complaining about going to Denver for his debut — he’s from Colorado Springs, about an hour and 10 minutes’ drive south. His father Lenny and some friends and relatives were making their way to the game.
The 6-foot-5 Brandon expressed his desire to form a partnership with the offensively-minded Rielly. Carlo has been somewhat spoiled in that sense, debuting with Zdeno Chara when he broke in with the Bruins in 2016, then playing a bit with Charlie McAvoy and Torey Krug. Size on the back line has always been a constant for the Bruins, especially when they were bouncing the Leafs from the playoffs with regularity.
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MARNER MANIA
From the aftermath of the trade deadline came multiple reports that the Carolina Hurricanes had asked for Mitch Marner in a return for Mikko Rantanen had the two clubs reached a deal before Rantanen eventually landed in Dallas.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet said the Leafs told Marner of the offer, as he has a full no-movement clause as the last year of his six-year deal is set to expire, and reiterated their desire to sign him long term. The 27-year-old right winger expressed his willingness to stay.
Along the same lines, Chris Johnston of TSN said there has been no shift in the Marner camp’s plan not to sign until the end of the season, which had factored into the Canes’ offering — and the Leafs listening — as Toronto needed a Plan B such as Rantanen if Marner doesn’t stay.
To wait is risk-reward for Marner, who is having another fine season as the most consistent offensive threat on the team and stands to cash in with the Leafs or any other team in a rising cap world. The downside is Marner’s mixed playoff history with the Leafs winning just one series in his eight years, as Auston Matthews, William Nylander and himself have yet to go on a long playoff run, individually or collectively.
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